Smokehouse Technician

Cloverdale Foods Co•Mandan, ND

About The Position

The Smokehouse Technician performs functions related to cooking, curing, and cooling cooked products. The role loads products into ovens and removes them, follows established cooking programs, tests products for food safety compliance and product specifications, performs basic sanitation, and completes required documentation in accordance with company policies and procedures. The position is performed primarily in production areas (95%), with 5% of work in an office setting. Production work may involve machinery, high noise levels, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions. The schedule is flexible and may include evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Mathematical aptitude and computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft programs.
Strong organization and attention to detail.
Ability to manage overlapping projects and track deadlines.
Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to stand for long periods and work in extreme environments, including refrigerated areas and excessive heat.
Ability to routinely bend, kneel, squat, reach, and grasp throughout the shift.
Ability to occasionally lift, push, pull, and carry up to 70 pounds throughout the shift.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, and bend for extended periods.
Ability to work around ingredients and finished products containing food allergens.
Ability to communicate by phone, email, and face-to-face.

Nice To Haves

General knowledge of smokehouse operations; comprehensive training is provided.

Responsibilities

Set oven controllers; load raw products and auxiliary equipment; monitor cooking cycles and product thickness; and adjust processes as needed.
Rotate products and empty carts of cooked products into the chill cooler.
Perform scheduled in-process and finished-product testing, including pH, fat, and moisture testing and spray applications.
Monitor oven cycles through sample testing.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment by sanitizing equipment, floors, and drains and emptying smoke-generator ash.
Monitor for food safety hazards, such as condensation, and follow GMPs, HACCP, SOPs, and SSOPs.
Complete required operational and cleaning documentation accurately.
Report product or process inconsistencies to supervisors, QA, or management.
Assist with general production tasks and help improve efficiency and product quality.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary.