Plant Operator - Drum Operator (Days)

HEARTLAND FARMS INC • Hancock, WI

6d • $26 - $0 • Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Operator - Drum Operator operates a potato-dehydrating drum line, with a focus on product quality, consistent output, personal safety, and compliance with customer and company specifications. The role includes maintaining mash flow, making process adjustments, checking product quality, reducing waste and defects, and supporting effective flake production through proper blanching, cooling, and cooking.

The operator maintains a clean and sanitary work area throughout the shift and prepares the room for the next shift. Sanitation tasks include preventing cross-contamination, keeping tools and equipment clean, and completing scheduled cleaning of tool dip tanks, flake breaker covers, knives, slides, and snifter tubes. The position follows plant safety, food safety, and good manufacturing practices.

This is a full-time, 12-hour-shift position with a stated schedule of 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a 2-2-3 rotation, generally working three to four days and 36 to 48 hours per week. The schedule may vary with season, product demand, and sanitation needs. The role is based at the Top Tier Ingredients facility in Hancock, Wisconsin, and involves a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise, moisture, dust, and moving equipment.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be able to pass a Motor Vehicle Report check.
• Must be able to follow operational instructions closely.
• Must understand and communicate instructions in written and verbal English.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and occasionally climb stairs, ladders, and walk on catwalks.
• Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds without assistance and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to shovel mash weighing 35–50 pounds regularly.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, noise and moisture levels, dust, and moving equipment and machinery.
• Ability to bend, twist, stretch, reach, crawl, crouch, and perform repetitive motions for up to 12 hours.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the potato dehydration process.
• Previous experience working around food processing equipment.
• Knowledge of cleaning and sanitation.
• At least one year of related consumer food manufacturing sanitation experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an adequate and consistent flow of mash by monitoring and adjusting the feed auger and rollers and shoveling product as needed.
• Keep mash on the applicator rolls and ensure only pure mash is on the rollers; manage clean mash-up and dirty mash-down.
• Adjust rolls and maintain a thick sheet of mash to reduce or eliminate waste, defects, and throw-away product.
• Check for product defects and ensure product quality standards are met; notify the Production Manager immediately when product is out of grade.
• Keep assigned areas clean and well-maintained during the shift and leave the room clean for the next shift.
• Complete sanitation tasks, including preventing cross-contamination and keeping tools, mash pans, and catwalks clean and sanitary.
• Clean tool dip tanks twice per shift and flake breaker covers every two hours; clean knives, slides, and snifter tubes once per change.
• Comply with safety regulations and follow plant safety, food safety, and regulated good manufacturing practices.
• Ensure proper blanching, cooling, and cooking for effective flake production.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed