Senior Packaging Machine Operator - Food Manufacturing

The Company

Waymouth Farms, Inc., dba Good Sense Foods, is a food manufacturing company located in New Hope, Minnesota. Our brands include Salad Pizazz, our line of delicious salad and veggie toppings that enhance any meal experience, as well as Good Sense, our line of great-tasting, nutrient-dense, better-for-you snacks.

Originally founded in 1976 we are a second-generation family owned and professionally managed business with a clear vision and strong core values in pursuit of bringing the Company to the next level. We are on a mission to help Americans eat better and it starts with our salad toppings, trail mixes, roasted nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and other value-added products.

We foster a collaborative and transparent work environment where individual and team accomplishments are recognized. If you have a desire to make an impact and help us grow, we would love to hear from you.

We offer competitive pay and a positive work culture plus a comprehensive employee benefit program including medical, dental, company paid life insurance, voluntary life insurance, short and long term disability, HSA with company match, 401K with company match, critical illness, accident, pre-paid legal plan, ID shield, tuition reimbursement, company store, and much more!

Hours: 6:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. This position may include overtime hours

Pay Rate: $23 - $25 per hour

PURPOSE OF THE JOB: The Senior Packaging Machine operator will be responsible for setting up and operating food packaging machines and associated equipment to meet or excel efficiency, quality, and safety standards. This position will also be responsible for training and mentoring other packaging employees, participating in continuous improvement projects, and auditing current procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIMARY DUTIES:

START UP

• Coordinate product movement with Forklift Operator.

• Know what the product schedule states and the sequence products are to be run. Inform line workers of product specifications, special information, and schedule attainment goals.

• Check machine for loose, missing or broken parts and make sure all safety guards are in place before start up.

• Set up per machine specifications, using flow chart. (bag length, seals, code date, nitrogen checks, printers, expiration date, taper, and perform bag size changes.

• Set up and maintain hourly production tracking board.

• Maintain and follow white board/workstation guidelines

OPERATION:

• Training of current and new employees on operational tasks

o Perform hands on training at the packaging lines

o Work with Leads to complete training checklists in the allowed timeframe

• Support Lead Operators as needed

• Mentor Line Workers to achieve Level II or Level III status

• Fill a key role on a continuous improvement project. (Take the lead on projects identified in the production Level 10 meetings. Identify issues, propose solutions, assist with implementation of solution.)

• Participate on an effective work team

o Safety Committee

o Social Committee

o BRC Projects (perform audits)

o Audit packaging machine processes

• Instruct line workers to clean machine during changeovers and set up of new product. (Get Lead/Supervisor involved if needed).

• Monitor continually and document results of seal tests, seal temperatures, zipper alignment, check weights and oxygen levels using weight charts (after start-up and every hour plus or minus 10 minutes during runs). Notify Lead/Supervisor if specifications are not met.

• Notify Lead/Supervisor prior to completion of run to allow utilization of personnel during changeover.

• Instruct production line to keep production area clean at all times, such as quick lock machines, conveyor belts, sweeping, handling trash, and other duties as directed.

• Observe and assist when necessary packaging personnel to assure proper and timely casing and palletizing of product.

• Ensure that Organic, Allergen and Monster clean procedures and policies are followed.

• Actively participate in cleans, changeovers, and operations.

• Ensure Product and materials are at the line on a timely basis for production.

• Verify finished goods pallet bin tags are accurate

• Verify machine settings are set to standards

• Follow scale calibration processes and procedures

• Stag for current job and next job when required

MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER:

• Complete paperwork which includes downtime, machine log, and pallet records, Quality Control Charts, Flow Charts, Material Tally Sheets, GMP's Reports, labor tracking, etc. (Must be readable and clear with accurate information)

• Suggest improvements, mentor, and lead by example in the areas of Safety, GMP, and Company Core Values.

• Suggest improvements, mentor, and lead by example on following the “Waymouth Basic Binders.”

• Suggest improvements, mentor and lead by example on following all line operations and quality checks

o Line meetings

o Start-ups

o Packaging control form

o Work orders

o Product return quantity tags

o Equipment optimization

o Bag size changes

o Cleans

o Changeovers

• Notify the Lead, or Supervisor of mechanical malfunctions, safety problems, product issues, or food safety issues immediately. Including the presence of foreign materials.

• Perform any other duties requested by the Lead, Supervisor, or Upper Management.

• May be called upon to open and dump 20-50 lb. containers

• Provide work direction and training, as necessary, to packaging workers, and PMOs in training.

• Communicate problems, issues, etc. with next Shift Operator.

• Perform all tasks using proper GMP's and safety procedures (such as safety belts, ear plugs, goggles or other personal protective equipment). Make sure line workers are doing the same.

• Maintain confidentiality with all Waymouth Farms information, processes, and procedures.

• Work with maintenance to help trouble shooting of machine problems.

• Has been trained on organic, allergen and monster clean control compliance requirements on a yearly basis

• Responsible for machine operations

• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner

• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness by following production standards

• Work effectively with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

• Work flexible hours to meet production needs

• Responsible for product quality and to meet productivity standards

• Work in a fast paced environment.

• Directs the line workers assigned to the line during production, cleans and downtime.

• Interact with other departments in a positive manner.

• Promote departmental and interdepartmental teamwork.

• Assist maintenance in troubleshooting and resolving mechanical issues.

• Operate a pallet jack to move pallets of finished good when required

QUALIFICATIONS

***Essential

• Previous machine operating experience, preferably in a food manufacturing facility

• Able to effectively speak, read, and write English.

• Good organizational skills

• Good basic math aptitude and ability to use scales and calculators (must pass basic math test)

• Basic mechanical aptitude

• Be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Ability to lead a team and assign duties

• Good sense of teamwork and urgency

Education and/or Experience

o High School Graduate or GED

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasionally: Use ladder to take apart weight scales

Kneel/crawl to check materials and machines

Reach above shoulder height to load zipper stock

Lift/carry up to 50 lbs and over 50 lbs with help.

Push/pull up to 2200 lbs. of raw materials on a pallet with a pallet jack

Regularly: Stoop/bend to pick up rework, boxes, and roll stock

Climb stairs to the mezzanine level and above the packaging machines

Twist while doing rework and dumping raw material

Frequently: Use hands

Talk/hear in order to give direction

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Typical manufacturing facility, potential exposure to loud noises, dust, chemical exposure, moving equipment, some areas of the facility may be hot or cold.

While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Good Sense Foods. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance
• Volunteer time off

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25