Production Operator I - 3Rd Shift (395 Processing)

NOW Health Group•Bloomingdale, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Operator I is responsible for operating and performing changeovers on production lines and equipment within required timelines, consistently meeting safety, quality, and efficiency goals. This role involves following work instructions, standards, and SOPs for equipment setup and changeover, identifying and resolving issues, and preparing and cleaning the work area. The operator will clean and sanitize food contact surfaces, ensure the availability of materials and supplies, and operate equipment, including troubleshooting and making adjustments. They will conduct quality checks, inspect ingredients and finished products, and accurately complete required paperwork. The position aims to reduce downtime through prompt, safe, and efficient task performance, including operator scheduled maintenance and minor machine maintenance. Collaboration with the maintenance team is expected for mechanical issues. The role also involves participating in continuous improvement initiatives, root cause analysis, and recommending/assisting with improvements. Compliance with safety, GMP, and SOPs is mandatory. Specific duties vary between the Packaging and Processing areas, including tasks like assisting coworkers, weighing and mixing ingredients, operating various processing equipment, and documenting all production information accurately.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and six (6) months of related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to communicate professionally and effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals (S.O.P.).
Ability to accurately complete sanitation/production paperwork.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals to understand weights and measures and to use digital and balancing scales.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Good problem-solving ability.
Basic understanding of mechanical principles; ability to troubleshoot and adjust machines.
Ability to operate hand operated electronic lifting equipment (Interthor).
Basic computer and data entry skills required.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends to support the business.
Regularly required to talk and hear; stand and walk; ascend and descend stairs and ladders; use hands to finger, handle, and feel; crouch or half kneel, and reach with hands and arms.
Moving pallets, moving pallet jacks, lifting and loading product, and changing over and cleaning equipment.
Packaging: Regularly lift, move (in some cases drag items), slide, raise and/or place: Up to 20 lbs. from 5 inches to 47 inches and then returning to 5 inches.
Packaging: Up to 20 lbs. at 30 inches, turn 90 degrees and place at 30 inches.
Packaging: Ascend and descend stairs carrying 30 lbs.
Packaging: Up to 55 lbs. from floor onto side, move up to 10 ft. and then return to original position.
Packaging: Push and pull of force up to 35 lbs. at 54 inch height.
Packaging: Push and pull of force up to 65 lbs. at 36 inch height.
Packaging: Reach up to 78 inches.
Processing: Regularly lift, move (in some cases drag items), slide, raise and/or place: Up to 20 lbs. to 30 inches, turn at a 90 degree angle and place at 30 inches.
Processing: Ascend and descend steps carrying up to 35 lbs.
Processing: Up to 50 lbs. to waist height.
Processing: Up to 55 lbs. from floor onto side, move 10 ft. and then return to original position.
Processing: Push and pull up to 65 lb. force at 36 inch height.
Processing: Reach up to 78 inches.
Regularly works near moving mechanical parts.
Frequently exposed to herbal aromas, dust, and/or airborne particles, some classified as allergens or irritants.
Works in all areas of NOW’s manufacturing facilities with direct exposure to ingredients (powders and liquids), mixes (powders and liquids), equipment, and packaging.
Noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud, and in some areas where louder hearing protection is required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience operating blending/processing and/or packaging machines/equipment preferred.
Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food or pharmaceuticals, preferred.
Certification as a Machine Operator in one (1) to three (3) Packaging and/or Processing areas (any combination).
Processing areas: (1) Encapsulation; (2) Roller Compactor; (3) Tablet Coating; (4) Tablet Press; (5) Wet and/or Dry Blending (considered certification in one area). Fitzmill is not included.
Packaging areas: (1) Cloud; (2) Simplex Oil and/or HPC (considered certification in one area); (3) Monoblock Oil (4) Powder and/or Mateer (considered certification in one area); (5) Tea; (6) Vitamin line 4/8 head filler; (7) All other Vitamin lines (not 4/8 head filler).
Proven ability through certification to operate various Packaging and Processing equipment according to set standards; set up, run and adjust machines; conduct timely quality checks; perform minor machine maintenance; accurately complete paperwork; and perform sanitation and changeover of equipment.
Solid knowledge of machine capabilities, manufacturing process, and ability to troubleshoot.
Demonstrated ability to consistently meet quality, safety and efficiency goals.
Good problem-solving skills required.
Good time management skills; ability to prioritize and calmly handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment; demonstrate a strong sense of urgency; and flexibility to change tasks frequently and work in different work centers as business needs require.
Strong teamwork skills; ability to work and communicate effectively with others; strong attention to detail skills; and demonstrated high quality of work.
Consistently follows all company policies and procedures, including all safety policies and procedures.
Ability to work in Packaging and Processing at both the 391 and 395 manufacturing facilities in Bloomingdale.

Responsibilities

Operates and performs changeovers on lines/equipment within required timelines.
Consistently meets safety, quality, and efficiency goals.
Follows work instructions, standards, and SOP’s for equipment set up and changeover.
Identifies and resolves issues during set up and changeover.
Prepares work area at beginning of shift and cleans up work area at end of shift and/or at end of production run.
Cleans or sanitizes all food contact surfaces between changes of product.
Ensures availability of all required materials and supplies.
Operates equipment, including troubleshooting and making adjustments.
Cleans and assembles equipment according to standard operating procedures.
Conducts quality checks at regular intervals; inspects ingredients and finished product to ensure product is processed according to specifications.
Truthfully and legibly completes required paperwork, written and electric reports.
Reduces downtime by assuring tasks are performed promptly, safely and efficiently.
Performs operator scheduled maintenance checklist.
Diagnoses and performs minor machine maintenance and makes any needed adjustments.
Works closely with maintenance when escalation to maintenance is needed for a mechanical issue.
Submits daily report of duties performed and production quantities produced.
Identifies and submits suggestions to improve efficiencies, quality and safety.
Actively participates in root cause analysis and other plant continuous improvement initiatives.
Recommends and assists with implementing continuous improvement ideas.
Complies with safety requirements, GMP requirements, and SOP’s/WI’s for work area.
Assists coworkers set up machine and stacks, marks, packs, and transports finished product (Packaging Area).
Examines product for identity and any impurities (Processing Area).
Weighs out ingredients as listed using scales with printers and mixes ingredients, using appropriate mixing method (Processing Area).
Follows batch instructions on BPR or deviation to meet desired specification via use of reactors, blenders, mixers, etc. (Processing Area).
Notifies supervisor, lead or R&D of any concerns with instructions on BPR or deviation (Processing Area).
Records all item and lot number information on production ticket (Processing Area).
Documents and updates mix tickets and log book (Processing Area).
Enters all information into computer system for tracking and accountability purposes (Processing Area).
Lifts and places raw materials into appropriate tote or tank equipment or mixers via automatic or manual lifting (Processing Area).
Properly labels bulk containers, mixes etc. (Processing Area).
Keeps Quality Control and Research & Development departments informed (Processing Area).
Supports a culture of safe production and exhibits safe work practices.
Actively participates in the safety program by engaging in safety activities.
Effectively provides and accepts constructive peer-to-peer feedback on safety performance.
Adheres to policies, procedures, SOP’s, safe work practices, and safety policies and procedures.
Reports ALL workplace incidents to supervisor immediately.
Communicates concerns to supervisor, reports hazards, and provides input on prevention.
Properly uses, wears, and stores Personal Protective Equipment when required.
Participates on safety teams and/or completes safety-related activities as part of regular job responsibilities.