Apple Packer

Job Summary

Apple Packers are responsible to sort, size and pack apples into the appropriate container for delivery to customers. This will occur by hand, line and machine, requiring placement into a variety of containers, including, but not limited to bags, trays, and boxes. They will also construct boxes to meet packing and customer requirements. Interfacing with other departments to assure good working relations and efficient plant operations is a necessity.

All activities must be completed in accordance with legal, safety and customer standards, as well as all guidelines in the Employee Handbook. This position may be reassigned to other areas of production. Job duties may change at any time, with or without notice. This role is critical to Empire Fruit Grower’s purpose of providing high quality fruit to our customers.

Objectives

· To deliver high quality product to customers

· To provide high level service to stakeholders

· To continually develop employee skills

· To maximize apple returns to members

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

· Sort, size and pack apples

o Pack apples into bags, trays, pouches, totes and boxes according to customer specifications

o Operate packing equipment to ensure efficient line operation

o Properly identify all apple packs using provided materials

· Perform simple quality control functions

o Remove visual rot and non-apple removal (bin slats, leaves, etc.)

o Work with the Quality Control Technicians to improve apple quality knowledge

· Construct packing containers (corrugate and Reusable Plastic Containers (RPC’s))

o Hand construct boxes and RPC’s, placing them directly to the line or stacking for later use

o Operate box makers, placing them directly to the line or stacking for later use

o Break down boxes and RPC as needed

· Miscellaneous

o Operate all equipment in a safe manner

o Maintain a professional image on behalf of the company, including positive vendor, member and employee relations

o Communicate effectively with coworkers to ensure efficient production

o Ability to work in a fast paced, quickly changing, and always evolving work environment

o Willingness to learn new tasks and support in all functional areas

o Ensure a clean, safe environment for all visitors, employees, and products

o Adhere to all food safety requirements, which are trained at orientation and throughout the season

o Complete other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

· Effective interpersonal communication skills

· Sharp attention to detail

· Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision

· Flexibility to work overtime and weekends, as required

· Compliance with all policies detailed in the Employee Handbook

Preferred:

· Prior experience in a production setting

· Prior experience with production equipment and machinery

· Knowledge of quality assurance practices

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Regularly required to stand; walk; bend; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and smell.

· Hand and finger dexterity required to perform some essential functions

· Regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 45 pounds unassisted

· Ability to stand for long periods of time

· Ability to withstand humid, hot and cool temperatures in a production area

· Regularly exposed to food safe and non-food safe chemicals and toxins

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.75 per hour

Expected hours: 40 – 45 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16