Production Operator I- 1st Shift Packaging (Sparks, Nevada)

Now Foods•Sparks, NV

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Operator I operates packaging and processing equipment and production lines according to established standards. The role sets up, runs, adjusts, cleans, and sanitizes equipment; performs product changeovers; and handles general production utility duties. Operators are certified in one to three packaging and/or processing areas and are expected to meet safety, quality, and efficiency goals while following work instructions, standard operating procedures, and good manufacturing practices. The position includes preparing and cleaning work areas, ensuring supplies and materials are available, performing equipment troubleshooting and minor maintenance, conducting regular quality checks, and completing production records and reports. Operators may train coworkers on basic manufacturing processes and participate in safety and continuous-improvement activities. Depending on assignment, duties may include packaging and transporting finished goods, weighing and mixing ingredients, following batch instructions, recording lot and item information, tracking inventory, and moving materials between departments. The role works in NOW manufacturing facilities and involves exposure to moving machinery, ingredients and products (including powders and liquids), dust and airborne particles, herbal aromas, food allergens, moderately loud noise, and designated areas with strong magnetic fields. Hearing protection is required in some areas. Physical demands include standing and walking; climbing stairs and ladders; crouching or half-kneeling; handling, pushing, and pulling materials and equipment; and lifting up to 50 pounds. The position requires flexibility to work in different work centers and at the 391 and 395 Bloomingdale manufacturing facilities, and a flexible schedule that may include weekends.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and six months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certification as a Machine Operator in one to three packaging and/or processing areas, in any combination.
Ability, demonstrated through certification, to operate packaging and processing equipment, set up and adjust machines, conduct timely quality checks, perform minor maintenance, complete paperwork, and sanitize and change over equipment.
Knowledge of machine capabilities and manufacturing processes, with the ability to troubleshoot and adjust machines.
Ability to consistently meet quality, safety, and efficiency goals.
Good problem-solving and time-management skills; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, maintain urgency, and change tasks or work centers as business needs require.
Strong teamwork and communication skills, attention to detail, and consistently high-quality work.
Ability to train employees on basic manufacturing processes, equipment setup and operation, paperwork, GMPs, and safety.
Ability to work in Packaging and Processing at both the 391 and 395 Bloomingdale manufacturing facilities.
Ability to follow company policies and procedures, including safety procedures, and support company core values.
Ability to safely operate powered industrial trucks and equipment and maintain necessary certifications.
Professional verbal and written communication skills and ability to read and understand safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and SOP manuals.
Ability to complete required sanitation paperwork and written and electronic reports legibly and accurately; basic computer and data-entry skills are required.
Basic arithmetic skills, including working with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, weights and measures, digital and balancing scales, rates, ratios, and percentages.
Ability to understand and carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions and apply commonsense problem-solving.
Basic understanding of mechanical principles and ability to operate hand-operated electronic lifting equipment (Interthor).
Ability to obtain certification to operate powered pallet jacks and Interthor stackers.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying up to 35 pounds on stairs, pushing and pulling pallet jacks, and reaching up to 78 inches.
Ability to work near moving mechanical parts and around ingredients, powders, liquids, airborne particles, food allergens, moderately loud noise, and designated strong-magnetic-field areas; hearing protection is required in some areas.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience operating blending or processing and/or packaging machines or equipment.
Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food or pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Operate, set up, adjust, clean, sanitize, and change over packaging and processing equipment according to work instructions, standards, and SOPs.
Meet established safety, quality, and efficiency goals and complete operations and changeovers within required timelines.
Prepare the work area at the beginning of a shift and clean it at the end of a shift or production run.
Ensure required materials and supplies are available; use lift trucks, hand jacks, and other equipment when certified.
Troubleshoot equipment, make adjustments, perform minor machine maintenance, and work with maintenance when mechanical issues require escalation.
Conduct regular quality checks and inspect ingredients, filled containers, and finished products to ensure they meet specifications.
Reduce downtime by completing tasks promptly, safely, and efficiently; perform pre-flight checklists.
Train employees as needed on basic manufacturing processes, machine setup and operation, paperwork, GMPs, and safety.
Submit daily reports and complete production, sanitation, mix-ticket, logbook, and tracking records truthfully, legibly, and accurately.
Identify and recommend improvements to efficiency, quality, and safety; participate in root-cause analysis and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Attend and participate in pre-shift huddles and comply with safety requirements, GMPs, and work-area procedures.
In packaging assignments, assist coworkers with machine setup and cleaning; stack, mark, pack, and transport finished products.
In processing assignments, examine products for identity and impurities; weigh and mix ingredients; follow batch instructions; record item and lot information; and keep Quality Control and R&D informed of concerns and opportunities for improvement.
Track inventory and production materials, inspect materials for damage, verify orders and quantities, and use handheld scanners to move inventory in the system.
Store and transport products and materials using appropriate equipment, maintain accurate movement records, and determine suitable storage locations based on product and facility requirements.
Safely use, wear, and store required personal protective equipment; report incidents and hazards promptly and participate in safety activities.
Safely operate powered industrial trucks and other equipment while maintaining required certifications.