JOB FAIR: PRODUCTION OPERATOR I - WEEKEND E 12 HR SHIFT (IL)

Now Foods • Bloomingdale, IL

11h • Onsite

About The Position

This role involves operating and maintaining production lines and equipment within required timelines, consistently meeting safety, quality, and efficiency goals. The position requires adherence to work instructions, standards, and SOPs for equipment setup and changeover, as well as identifying and resolving issues during these processes. Responsibilities include preparing and cleaning the work area, ensuring the availability of materials, operating equipment with troubleshooting and adjustments, conducting quality checks, and accurately completing all required paperwork. The role also focuses on reducing downtime, performing scheduled maintenance, diagnosing and performing minor machine maintenance, and collaborating with the maintenance team. Continuous improvement is a key aspect, involving participation in root cause analysis and submitting suggestions for improvement. Compliance with safety, GMP, and SOP requirements is mandatory. Specific duties vary between the Packaging and Processing areas, including inspecting finished products, assisting with packing, weighing and mixing ingredients, operating various processing equipment, and maintaining accurate production records.

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.
• 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.
• Regularly lift, move, slide, raise and/or place up to 20 lbs. from 5 inches to 47 inches and then returning to 5 inches.
• Regularly lift, move, slide, raise and/or place up to 20 lbs. at 30 inches, turn 90 degrees and place at 30 inches.
• Regularly ascend and descend stairs carrying 30 lbs.
• Regularly lift, move, slide, raise and/or place up to 55 lbs. from floor onto side, move up to 10 ft. and then return to original position.
• Regularly push and pull of force up to 35 lbs. at 54 inch height.
• Regularly push and pull of force up to 65 lbs. at 36 inch height.
• Regularly reach up to 78 inches.
• Regularly lift, move, slide, raise and/or place up to 20 lbs. to 30 inches, turn at a 90 degree angle and place at 30 inches (Processing).
• Regularly ascend and descend steps carrying up to 35 lbs. (Processing).
• Regularly lift, move, slide, raise and/or place up to 50 lbs. to waist height (Processing).
• Regularly lift, move, slide, raise and/or place up to 55 lbs. from floor onto side, move 10 ft. and then return to original position (Processing).
• Regularly push and pull up to 65 lb. force at 36 inch height (Processing).
• Regularly reach up to 78 inches (Processing).
• 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 manufacturing facilities with direct exposure to ingredients, mixes, 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).
• 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, meeting safety, quality, and efficiency goals.
• Follows work instructions, standards, and SOPs for equipment set up and changeover, and identifies/resolves issues during these processes.
• Prepares work area at the beginning of the shift and cleans up at the end of the shift or production run.
• Cleans and sanitizes all food contact surfaces between product changes.
• Ensures availability of all required materials and supplies using appropriate equipment.
• Operates equipment, including troubleshooting and making adjustments according to work standards.
• Cleans and assembles equipment according to standard operating procedures.
• Conducts quality checks at regular intervals and inspects ingredients and finished product.
• Truthfully and legibly completes required paperwork, written and electronic reports.
• Reduces downtime by performing tasks promptly, safely, and efficiently.
• Performs operator scheduled maintenance checklist.
• Diagnoses and performs minor machine maintenance and makes needed adjustments.
• Works closely with maintenance when escalation 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 and mixes ingredients using appropriate methods (Processing Area).
• Follows batch instructions on BPR or deviation to meet desired specification using various equipment (Processing Area).
• Records all item and lot number information on production ticket (Processing Area).
• Documents and updates mix tickets and log book, ensuring all information is truthful and legible (Processing Area).
• Enters all information into computer system for tracking and accountability (Processing Area).
• Lifts and places raw materials into appropriate tote or tank equipment or mixers (Processing Area).
• Properly labels bulk containers, mixes, etc. (Processing Area).
• Keeps Quality Control and Research & Development departments informed (Processing Area).

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED