Food Processing Production Worker

Summary: Responsible for direct line work in food processing plant including working almost extensively in freezer and refrigeration environments utilizing food manufacturing techniques, product formulation, product packaging and material handling and transportation in the areas of human and pet food, as well as pet treats produced through product formulation, fermentation, and safe handling techniques.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Learn and use knowledge of human and pet food science and nutrition to manufacture human and pet food products and package and label for distribution to wholesale distributors, veterinarians, retail stores and end-use customers.

· Execute plant-specific strategic vision, mission, and objectives to assure continuous improvement and alignment with corporate vision, mission, and objectives.

· Participate in food production and handling training to maximize safety, quality, and productivity.

· Direct line work in product production, plant maintenance, material procurement, quality/food safety/sanitation regulations and standards, and material handling logistics and transportation.

· Clean plant and equipment, as well as sanitize facility and equipment on a regular routine.

· Comply with regulatory and production standards including but not limited to USDA, FDA, SQF, Schools, and Military.

· Ensure all quality and food safety standards, specifications are met or exceeded.

· Be a team player in continuous process and manufacturing improvements and carry out Research and Development in new product innovation and implementation to ensure plant capabilities and production feasibility are met.

· Be interactive with other plant workers and communicate with an open and honest dialogue and involvement that demonstrates the value of working and accomplishing food processing and production as a team player.

· Work, cooperate, and help train less experienced food processing plant workers in human and pet food production and handling.

· Participate in food safety and manufacturing continuing education and training with new developments in the field of human and pet nutrition and food processing and handling.

· Seek, expand, and communicate knowledge of human and pet food manufacturing best practices.

· Must be aware of and comply with OSHA and other local, state, and federal laws applicable to both USDA and FDA Food processing facilities.

· Actively engage in and promote new and innovative ways to safely manufacturer both human and pet food.

· In addition to food processing/manufacturing product packaging and labeling, inventory, and product storage.

· Actively work in both freezer/refrigeration and transportation logistics for distribution throughout the United States.

· Keep records of products manufactured/production records, billing, and lading reports, fill out expense reports, environmental conditions (temperature, dry, wet, etc.) and dry and cold storage inventory, and shipping and receiving reports.

· Be willing to work with flexible daily and weekly work schedules due to changing demands.

· Demonstrate a working knowledge of food processing plant operations and equipment.

· Recommend changes in production techniques, operating procedures, and other applicable working environmental conditions.

· When instructed, investigate problems, and recommend solutions.

· Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

· Positively impact the image and brand of the company.

· Be knowledgeable of both human and pet food supplies.

· All other duties as assigned.

Education/Experience:

At least one (1) full year’s direct experience in human and/or pet food science or nutrition, industrial management, food processing or manufacturing, business, or food processing and manufacturing operations is preferred. Otherwise, a minimum of three (3) years similar or related experience with satisfactory performance in product line working, food processing or manufacturing, product warehousing, material handling, OSHA/FDA/USDA regulatory compliance experience or position or other closely related field and/or responsibilities or related position similar to the responsibilities and skills described above. Beneficial education and experience includes production manufacturing, processing and/or material handling equipment mechanics and/or operation, record keeping, and butchering, slaughtering or other rendering practices. Qualifying required working experience and education outlined in this position description is at the sole discretion of company.

Certificates and Licenses:

Must possess a valid driver’s license with no operational restrictions or proof of transportation method to and from plant.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Interpersonal Skills: Must be able to work well with other employees and department managers and owners.

· Production Knowledge and Skills: Must be able to work and operate equipment safely within a high compliance food or similar production environment.

· Problem Solving Skills: Must be able to recognize problems and report to manager the situation and participate in solving it, such as identifying and correcting defects in the production or packaging line.

· Time Management: Must be able to meet production deadlines, shipping dates and manage his/her time accordingly.

· Operational Skills: Must be detailed oriented in ensuring that all facets of ingredients, supplies and production planning are fully coordinated and implemented.

· Personal Quality: Must be a dedicated professional who is seeking a career rather than a job. Must be an individual who is honest, hard-working, and diligent and takes personal care and responsibility for everything they do. A natural self-starter that does not need constant supervision or guidance.

· Ability to understand and convey complex human and pet food processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, transporting, and tracking tasks.

· Must possess an adequate level of human and pet food nutrition and good written and verbal communication skills.

· Must be comfortable participating in training and teach and oversee others less experienced.

· Must be able to operate typical meat processing plant equipment such as power cutters, chopping equipment, knives, grinders, mixers, forming machines, carton filling and sealing machines, freezing machines, ozone cleaning machines, box folding and labeling machines, shrink wrap machines, and material transportation and logistics equipment such as forklifts, tow motors, pallet jacks, etc.

· Self-Motivation and Initiative.

· Strong compliance to regulations and product formulation.

· Must communicate with the public in a professional, polite, and understanding demeanor.

Equipment:

Must be able to operate typical meat processing plant equipment including, but not limited to, forklifts, tow motors, pallet jacks, grinders, mixers, forming machines, carton filling and sealing machines, freezing machines (such as a liquid nitrogen tunnel freezer), ozone cleaning machines, box folding and labeling machines, shrink wrap machines, and various pneumatic air and electrically powered loud hydraulic punching and stapling machines.

Computer Skills: Prefer basic understanding and use of typical standard business software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, etc. or at a minimum, be able to write legibly and speak clearly, add/subtract/divide/multiply numbers accurately in ledger or column format, and prepare understandable hand-drawn diagrams if need be.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is loud as is typical of a manufacturing facility environment. The employee may be exposed to extreme environmental conditions, including hot or cold temperatures of below -20 F and lower freezers and 32-40 refrigeration work areas. The employee will spend 90% of time working in a refrigerated and freezer environment most days per week including some evening and weekend work. The employee will be handling and exposed to frozen, refrigerated and thawed raw, bloody meats, fish, and other food ingredients. The employee will also be working with a liquid nitrogen tunnel freezer of which the liquid nitrogen can reach -300 F temperatures requiring safe operational and handling training, as well as understanding Material Data Safety Sheets.

Physical Demands:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, push, and pull resources and product on hard concrete floors including loading and unloading warehouse areas, food processing kitchens and food preparation areas, and pallet racking and cold storage warehousing. There are no special vision requirements for this position. The employee must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 75 lbs. Must be able to operate a vehicle including trucks up to gross weights of 26,000 lbs., and warehouse product handling equipment such as forklifts, tow motors, and pallet jacks, as well as food processing and manufacturing equipment such as grinders, mixers, forming machines, carton filling and sealing machines, freezing machines, ozone cleaning machines, box folding and labeling machines, shrink wrap machines, etc.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lystn, LLC, dba/ANSWERS Pet Food, is committed to providing a non-discriminatory equal employment opportunity environment to all applicants and employees.

I have read and understand the assigned job duties. I attest at this time I am able to perform the essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Elizabethville, PA 17023 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $22