Processing Team Member

THRUSHWOOD FARMS QUALITY MEATS INC•Galesburg, IL

4d•$20 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

Western Smokehouse Partners is hiring a full-time Processing Team Member to produce raw meat products through tasks including receiving, grinding, mixing, stuffing, linking, cooking, and documentation. The role ensures adherence to customer specifications, Quality Assurance standards, and USDA regulations, and contributes to product quality, food safety, and production efficiency. The position requires attention to detail, a safety-focused approach, and the ability to work in a cold environment with frequent lifting and repetitive motion. The employee must follow company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), OSHA, USDA, and FDA regulations. Employees are expected to maintain a safe work environment and promptly report safety or food safety concerns. The position is based at the Galesburg IL Monmouth BLVD location in Galesburg, Illinois.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred.
One to two years of experience in a manufacturing or food processing environment is a plus.
Ability to read and follow batch recipes and standard operating procedures.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to food safety.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Good communication skills and a proactive work ethic.
Ability to stand for 8–10 hours per shift.
Ability to repeatedly lift 50 pounds or more throughout the shift.
Ability to perform repetitive motion and physical activity.
Ability to work in a refrigerated or cold environment.
Must wear PPE at all times in production areas.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with inventory systems such as Vista Trac.

Responsibilities

Conduct pre-operational inspections of machines, processing rooms, and equipment.
Receive incoming shipments and complete required documentation and inspections.
Maintain and rotate inventory using FIFO practices.
Scan ingredients into Vista Trac for traceability and inventory accuracy.
Store meat in appropriate freezers or coolers for production staging.
Weigh and grind raw materials to batch specifications.
Mix ingredients according to batch formulas and product requirements.
Set up, operate, and adjust equipment to meet product and customer requirements.
Stuff meat into casings using appropriate v-mags and ensure correct casing cuts.
Hang and inspect meat sticks on the linking line for quality control.
Load smokehouses and start programs according to batch specifications.
Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas before and after production.
Maintain production-floor cleanliness by removing debris and following disposal protocols.
Label and tag product racks with accurate product names, flavors, and color codes.
Verify product labels and tags for accuracy and compliance with specifications.
Wear required PPE in production areas.
Unload trailers, verify Bills of Lading and packing slips, and scan products into Vista Trac.
Stock ingredients and materials on designated racks.
Follow SOPs, GMPs, and FDA/USDA regulations.
Immediately report food safety issues, equipment failures, or facility concerns to the supervisor.
Assume duties of other Processing Technicians or the Receiving Manager as needed during absences.
Perform other duties as assigned to support production and operational goals.
Maintain a safe work environment and promptly report safety or food safety concerns.