Extruder Operator I - PPF

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company’s portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats®, PEBBLES®, Grape-Nuts® and Malt-O-Meal® cereal, and Peter Pan® peanut butter, as well as Nutrish®, Kibbles ‘n Bits® and 9Lives® dog and cat food. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest news.

At Post Consumer Brands, we’ve spent generations showing up for families, starting with breakfast, the most important meal of the day. Our cereals have become a trusted part of daily routines, helping spark conversations, fuel busy mornings, and create everyday moments that bring families closer together, including their furry four-legged family members, who have recently become a part of our story. As families have evolved, so have we. What began at the breakfast table has expanded into snacks, peanut butter, and, more recently, pet food, because caring for a family means feeding every part of it. With the addition of several iconic pet brands, we’ve extended our purpose: to make high-quality, accessible food for everyone under the same roof.

This phase is still new, and that’s what makes it exciting. As we continue to grow across grocery and pet, we’re looking for people who care about good food, thoughtful work, and the kind of impact that stretches from store shelves to kitchen tables, and food bowls, across the country.

Visalia, CA is home to 360,000 square feet of manufacturing, packaging, warehouse, and office space. Approximately 250 employees work here, utilizing the latest technologies and systems, capable of producing extensive, diverse, and innovative pet food products. Visalia is in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the gateway to Sequoia National Park, part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It also has a minor league baseball team, the Visalia California Oaks, and several colleges and universities.

Basic Function: 

This is a mid-level position responsible for safely and efficiently operating the extrusion systems and other production equipment to ensure compliance. Strict compliance with the facility Food Safety and Quality Management System Policies, Procedures and Work Instruction is required.  

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Ensure extrusion temperature equals or exceeds the specified minimum Critical Control Limit before allowing product to ensure the production system. 

• Monitor/Document the designated Critical Control Limit Temperature, and react to deviations. 

• Daily start-up, shut down, set-up, and clean-up of the extrusion operations (e.g. mix systems and extrusion systems). 

• Monitor the product, perform quality audits, and perform general sanitation and housekeeping duties with the machinery.  

• Continuously monitor product quality and identify and report any deviations from the standards as set forth by customer.  

• Responsible for housekeeping of the extruder and plant area (e.g. sweeping the floor, removing trash, cleaning the machine at the end of the shift, preparing for next shift’s production, and finalizing any paperwork in an accurate, clear, and concise manner).  

• Be proactive and assist with maintenance and preventative maintenance of equipment.  

• Assist with improvements, as necessary. 

• Deliver daily objectives determined by plant management. 

• Troubleshoot processing systems to optimize performance and take corrective action to ensure quality and minimize downtime. 

• Participate in a high quality team environment through effective teamwork and self-management with a positive attitude. 

• Responsible for own safety and for the safety of others which may be affected by others actions.  

• Demonstrate good judgment and react to unsafe conditions, either by making them safe or reporting them to those in a position to correct them.  

• Participate in safety programs and actively look for ways to improve site/area safety. 

• Maintain a safe and clean work environment. 

• Proven leadership qualities, a strong work commitment, and high ethical standards. 

• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor that reflects the Company’s core values. 

• Provide a high level of support to the next customer in line.  

• Report any food safety issue observed to manager/supervisor. 

• Report any security breaches, attempts at product tampering or contamination, or other suspicious behavior observed to manager/supervisor. 

• Complete and comply with the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS), Daily Routine List (DRL), HACCP procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Compliance. 

• Maintain a food-safe sanitary environment at all times. 

• Complete records/quality checks with accuracy and attention to detail. 

• Escalate any non-conforming product/equipment/material to the appropriate manager/supervisor immediately.  

• Follow Company’s quality assurance procedures and protocols at all times while on duty (eg. Labeling of containers, Inventory Control, PM programs). 

• Promote a positive proactive environment where input from team members is valued and encouraged. 

• Provide back-up support for other roles as necessary.  

• Available for overtime work on a scheduled or call-in basis, as necessary.  

• Other duties as assigned by the manager/supervisor. 

Qualifications and Competencies: 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill or ability necessary to perform this job successfully: 

• Education/Experience:  

• A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Two (2) years related experience in a manufacturing environment; experience in a food manufacturing environment is preferred. 

• Previous extrusion or machine operating experience preferred. 

• Skills:  

• Must be self-motivated, proactive and able to work independently and as a team.  

• Ability to read, write, and speak English sufficient to read and understand materials such as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other OSHA requirements.  

• Must be literate and able to calculate totals, percentages, and operate some computerized equipment. 

• Must demonstrate commitment, dependability, and respect for other employees with regular attendance, punctuality, and adherence to agreed-upon schedule of availability. 

• Strong mechanical aptitude 

• Requires the ability to act independently without direct supervision as well as be a part of a team to accomplish critical and timely objectives. 

• Physical Requirements:  

• Continuously stand throughout the work shift. 

• Regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds; occasionally lift objects weighing greater than 50 pounds. 

• Regularly climb ladders and occasionally work at heights of 100 feet. 

• Regularly required to walk and communicate with other employees. 

• Frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. 

• Occasionally perform physically intensive activities and/or exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry objects. 

• Occasionally required to reach and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  

• Specific vision abilities for this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception to safely carry out the specific essential job tasks. 

• Environment: 

• Regularly exposed to work near moving parts/equipment.  

• Regularly exposed to major amounts of dust. 

• Regularly exposed to a moderate to severe noise levels. 

• Regularly exposed to outdoor/uncontrolled weather conditions. 

• Occasionally exposed to chemicals used in the manufacturing process. 

Post and its subsidiaries and/or affiliates require all employees to be verified through the I-9 and E-Verify process to confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. within three days of beginning employment. 

Note: Valid Driver’s License required for insurance purposes. Plant Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of this position at any time. 

Offers of employment will be determined by factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training and geographical location of the open position. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law. 

Pay: The pay range for this position is up to $24.10 per hour, dependent on experience. 

We offer competitive benefit plans and programs to eligible employees, including but not limited to: 

• Medical 

• Prescription drug 

• Dental 

• Vision 

• Life Insurance 

• Disability coverage 

• Employee assistance programs (includes counseling, coaching, online programs, etc.) 

• 401(k) 

• Paid time off 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

At Post Consumer Brands, we are genuinely committed to diversity, equity, AND inclusion and understand that the presence of diversity alone does not create an inclusive and equitable workplace. Furthermore, our commitment to DEI is rooted in our values and how we work. Our DEI Advisory Committee works to bring our beliefs and commitments to life through our four focus pillars: Community, Workforce, Workplace, and Marketplace.   

Salary : $24 - $27