LF Production Utility

Barrett Petfood•Little Falls, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Utility is a cross-trained production employee responsible for supporting and performing the duties of the Production Laborer, Cooling Room Operator, Dryer Operator, and Extruder Operator. This position helps maintain safe, efficient, and continuous production operations while meeting quality and production requirements. Pay range is $22.50-$26.00/hr.

Requirements

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the manufacturing facility.
Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, and perform other physical activities required in a manufacturing environment.
Climb and descend stairs and ladders safely and routinely, including accessing elevated work areas and equipment.
Maintain balance and stability while working on elevated platforms, stairs, ladders, and uneven or wet surfaces, as applicable.
Work in varying environmental conditions, including areas that may be hot, cold, wet, humid, noisy, or subject to temperature fluctuations.

Responsibilities

Perform duties across all production areas, including Production Laborer, Cooling Room, Dryer, and Extruder operations, as assigned.
Operate, monitor, and adjust production equipment to maintain safe, efficient, and consistent production.
Perform complete extruder setups, including installation and adjustment of dies, knives, tooling, pumps, and related equipment.
Monitor and adjust process parameters such as steam, water, feed rate, screw speed, cooling systems, and other equipment settings to maintain product specifications.
Operate and monitor dryer equipment, including blowing down the dryer, changing screeners, and making necessary adjustments.
Test and inspect product throughout production to ensure quality, size, density, appearance, and other specifications are met.
Set up, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot pumps and other process equipment as required for each production run.
Add required materials, color dyes, and other components to finished product according to established procedures and production requirements.
Move finished product, totes, materials, and equipment using a forklift while following all applicable safety procedures.
Record production information, complete required documentation, print labels, and use computer systems and software for equipment control, troubleshooting, and production records.
Troubleshoot equipment and process issues and make appropriate operator adjustments to minimize downtime and maintain production efficiency.
Perform routine operator maintenance, equipment cleaning, calibration, and adjustments to support reliable equipment operation.
Maintain clean, safe, and orderly work areas by performing dry and wet cleans and cleaning around conveyors, dryers, extruders, cooling equipment, and other plant machinery.
Communicate effectively with Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Raw Ingredients, Dryer, Cooling Room, and other production personnel regarding production requirements, quality concerns, equipment issues, and shift pass-downs.
Provide production coverage and support as needed, including covering breaks, assisting other operators, weighing reworked product, and performing additional duties as assigned while following all safety, quality, housekeeping, and production procedures.
Additional tasks including projects as assigned