Processing Operator

Alphia•Pawnee City, NE

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Ensure quality products are produced through the proper operation of extrusion (and related) equipment. Set-up equipment and produce products using run sheets and written formulas. This role involves assembling, calibrating, operating, and monitoring extruder and auxiliary equipment. The operator will inspect and adjust equipment, handle ingredients and product, operate a forklift, and ensure paperwork accuracy. They will also calculate production rates, match colors, communicate with Quality Assurance, manage shrink losses, and maintain product quality. Proactive troubleshooting and maintaining a safe, clean work area are essential. This role also includes participating in facility clean-ups, completing changeovers, understanding Alphia Business Systems, and adhering to GMPs and SOPs. Reporting any food safety or quality concerns to a supervisor is critical, as is ensuring CCP requirements are met and deviations are reported.

Requirements

High school diploma and/or GED preferred.
Entry level
Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals.
Excellent communication skills
Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner.
Ability to communicate both verbally and in written form.
Basic math skills include addition, subtraction, and percentages.
Ability to multi-task.

Responsibilities

Helps assemble, calibrate, operate, and monitor extruder and all auxiliary equipment (pumps, micro-motions, dry coating applicator, tanks, agitators, etc.) of one extrusion system.
Inspects and evaluates equipment hourly; adjusts equipment variables to meet equipment and product requirements.
Frequently dumps/weighs, carries, and stacks up to 50-pound bags of ingredients and/or product.
Operates forklift and hand-held scanners to remove ingredients from inventory for use in production.
Assists in evaluating orders; ensures paperwork is complete and accurate on all processing conditions; completes status reports.
Calculates rates and performance percentages for product runs.
Distinguishes colors and duplicates those colors in the extrusion process.
Establishes and maintains an effective line of communication with Quality Assurance department.
Ensures all products are within individual client specifications.
Monitors and manages shrink losses to acceptable limits/standards.
Responsible for all product quality attributes.
Evaluates product quality attributes; makes immediate adjustments to correct out-of-specification products.
Anticipates technical problems; proactively troubleshoots (where appropriate) and makes technical adjustments and/or notifies maintenance.
Responsible for maintaining a safe and clean work area and environment.
Participate in a full facility and equipment clean-up between each product run as directed.
Ensures required changeovers are completed accurately and efficiently.
Responsible for becoming familiar with GMP’s and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for all products.
Complete simple production reports
Notify a supervisor or a lead employee of any situation or observation that may adversely affect food safety and/or quality.
Ensure the requirements of the CCP are met, and if a deviation occurs, notify Supervisor and Quality departments to hold all affected product.
Other duties as assigned.