What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2nd Shift Powder Blender position at FLAVOR & FRAGRANCE?
Job Title: Powder Blender
Company: Lucta, Flavors & Fragrances
Location: Essex, Maryland
Position Summary:
The Powder Blender is responsible for blending dry ingredients to create high-quality
powdered products used in food manufacturing. This role involves operating large blending
equipment, ensuring product consistency, and adhering to strict quality control measures.
The Powder Blender plays a key role in supporting production efficiency and product
integrity in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Blending Operations:
o Operate and monitor large blending tanks, including ribbon blenders and
paddle mixers, which can hold substantial volumes of dry ingredients (up to
several thousand pounds).
o Accurately measure and weigh ingredients according to detailed formulas
and recipes, ensuring proper ratios for optimal product quality and
consistency.
o Load bulk ingredients into blending machines, following established
procedures to ensure safety and quality standards are met.
o Monitor blending cycles, making real-time adjustments to speed and
duration as needed to achieve the desired blend and prevent over-blending
or under-blending.
o Perform regular checks on ingredient particle size and moisture content to
ensure they meet specifications prior to blending.
o Document all blending processes, ingredient usage, and quality control
results in compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
Quality Control:
o Conduct comprehensive quality checks on blended products, including
visual inspections and sampling, to verify consistency, color, and texture.
o Collaborate with the quality assurance team to address any discrepancies in
quality and implement corrective actions as necessary.
- Equipment Maintenance:
o Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on blending equipment,
ensuring that all machinery is clean, functional, and safe to operate.
o Regularly clean and sanitize blending tanks and associated equipment to
prevent cross-contamination and maintain product integrity.
Safety and Compliance:
o Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines, including proper handling of
hazardous materials and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
o Participate in safety training and contribute to a culture of safety by reporting
potential hazards and unsafe practices.
Maintain cleanliness in the blending area, which can be dusty and dirty due
to the nature of dry ingredient handling, following Good Manufacturing
Practices (GMP) and food safety standards.
- Inventory Management:
o Assist in monitoring ingredient inventory levels, notifying supervisors when
reordering is necessary to ensure uninterrupted production.
o Maintain accurate records of ingredient usage and blending batches for
traceability and compliance purposes.
Collaboration:
o Work closely with production teams to coordinate blending schedules and
ensure timely delivery of blended products to meet production demands.
o Participate in team meetings to discuss production goals, address
challenges, and share best practices.
Work Conditions:
- The work environment is a busy food manufacturing plant, which can be noisy and
may have fluctuating temperatures.
- Employees will be required to work in areas that can be dusty and may be exposed
to food powders and allergens.
- Blending operations involve standing for long periods and may require bending,
lifting, and maneuvering heavy equipment and bulk ingredients.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Steel-toed boots to protect feet from heavy materials.
- Safety goggles or face shields to protect eyes from dust and splashes.
- Gloves when handling raw materials or cleaning chemicals.
- Ear protection in areas with high noise levels.
- Dust masks or respirators may be required when working in particularly dusty
environments.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent; experience in food manufacturing or blending
operations is preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow precise recipes and instructions.
- Familiarity with blending equipment and processes is a plus.
- Ability to lift heavy materials (at least to 50 lbs and up to 75 lbs) and perform physical tasks for extended
periods.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented
environment.
- Basic computer skills for data entry and documentation.
