Packaging Technician - 1st Shift

Job Title: Packaging Technician
Location: Mishawaka, IN
Department: Packaging
Job Type: Hourly

About United Petfood: United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US. 

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!
 
Position Summary: The Packaging Tech is responsible for correctly, safely, and efficiently packaging production. Must be able to operate, troubleshoot packaging equipment according to scheduled production needs.
 
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for setting up, starting up and operation of packaging equipment according to the production schedule.
• Monitors equipment and uses tools to make adjustments, change over’s, small repairs and perform basic maintenance as required.
• Operates bin discharge.
• Performs sanitation tasks to ensure area meets quality standards.
• Completes re-work as necessary.
• Maintain records and logs during entire packaging process by entering appropriate information in order to document packaging process and reconcile usage of materials and transfers of product within RedZone system.
• Perform and document in-process quality checks on a periodic basis on representative samples in order to ensure that product is correctly packaged.
• Clean, disassemble and reassemble line equipment in order to prepare machine for inspection or deep cleaning.
• Changeover/set up machine for run by loading product, components, printer material, etc.; adjusting settings; checking the line; and obtaining line clearance in order to prepare equipment for next packaging run.
• Actively follow safety procedures and policies in all job tasks.
• Follow and hold others accountable for following all company Good Manufacturing Practices.
• All other duties as assigned.

Workplace Safety:

• Completes safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor. 
• Participates in mandatory safety trainings and adheres to all safety policies
• Required to report all safety issues, near misses, and injuries

Quality & Food Safety:

• Completes quality & food safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor.
• Participates in mandatory food safety and quality training program requirements
• Preserves the integrity of the BRC system through adherence to the policies and procedures outlined. Takes actions necessary to resolve food safety and quality system deficiencies
• Required to report food safety and quality system failures and take actions necessary to preserve the BRC system.

Required Qualifications:         

• Ability to work in an environment which includes frequent exposure to elements such as odor, noise, heat, cold, dust and chemicals.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 35-50 pounds in order to move ingredients and finished product, stand, walk, push/pull up to 50 pounds, reach overhead, and bend to the floor. 
• Demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to use basic hand tools.
• Experience with or ability to learn computerized equipment (i.e.: scales, controllers, computer based operator interfaces, etc.)

Desired Qualifications: 

• Ability to read, write, and communicate using the English language.
• Previous experience work with packaging systems and conveying equipment.
• Prior experience in a production environment, preferably food or beverage manufacturing.
• Experience operating production machines.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.