Smokehouse Technician

CLOVERDALE FOODS CO•Mandan, ND

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Smokehouse Technician performs cooking, curing, and cooling functions for cooked products. The role operates ovens and smokehouse equipment, conducts product testing to verify food safety and product specifications, performs sanitation tasks, and completes required documentation in accordance with company policies and procedures. Comprehensive training is provided for smokehouse operations. Work is conducted primarily in production areas (approximately 95%), with about 5% in an office setting for computer work, project management, and communication. Production-area work involves machinery, noise, varying temperatures, humidity, and wet conditions. The schedule is flexible and may include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on operational requirements. The position requires prolonged standing and other routine physical activity, including bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching, and grasping. It also requires the ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 70 pounds occasionally and to work in refrigerated and excessively hot environments. Employees may work around ingredients or finished products containing food allergens. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Mathematical aptitude and computer literacy, including proficiency in 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 refrigerated and excessively hot environments.
Ability to routinely bend, kneel, squat, reach, and grasp throughout the shift.
Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 70 pounds occasionally throughout the shift.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, stretch, stoop, and bend for extended periods.
Ability to work around ingredients and/or finished products containing food allergens.
Ability to communicate through phone, email, and face-to-face channels.

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; empty smoke-generator ash; and monitor for food safety hazards such as condensation.
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 or assigned.