Pre-Operator: Plant-Wide & Growth

MGP Ingredients is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and food ingredient solutions. Its Distilling Solutions segment provides bourbons, whiskeys, ryes, gins, and vodkas to craft and multinational brands. MGP's own Branded Spirts business is growing following the 2021 acquisition of Luxco, a top spirits producer, bottler, supplier, and importer as well as the 2023 acquisition of Penelope Bourbon, known for its wide range of uniquely blended expressions.

Ingredient Solutions delivers nutritional, functional wheat- and pea-based ingredients aligned with consumer trends. The company operates in locations across the Midwestern U.S., and overseas in Northern Ireland and Mexico.

The Opportunity

A pre-operator is used for sanitation purposes and assisting operators until such time as an operator position becomes available. Schedules for pre-operators are flexible shifts assigned on a weekly basis by the Company. Pre-operators can fill in for vacancies on bid jobs as a packer, sweeper and feed & grain handler. A pre-operator can work anywhere plant wide. When awarded an operator position, an operator processes wet or dry product through liquid and air conveyance systems.

Operators handle raw material, process material, dry products and package product for shipment.

What You Will Be Doing

• Monitor and maintain equipment. Operate equipment within established limitations
• Conduct in-plant testing on production samples to verify product is within established specification
• Handle raw material, process material, dry products and package product for shipment
• Take correction action if product is found to be out of specification
• Meet sanitation requirements for assigned area
• Perform routine maintenance as needed. Perform preventive maintenance as scheduled. Meet lubrication requirements for assigned equipment
• Handle chemicals for plant processes and cleaning

• Ability to operate multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to work under pressure of deadlines
• Strong verbal & written communication skills. Ability to interpret and follow written & verbal instructions. Operators are required to maintain manual and automated records and must be able to communicate over a radio.
• Mathematical skills required
• Mechanical skills required.
• Knowledge of computers. Ability to enter required data on computers. Ability to operate computer controlled features in the plant.
• Ability to handle hazardous chemicals such as alcohol, caustic, acids, etc.
• Ability to climb and work in high places and/or from ladders, roofs, etc.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and dusty environments
• Ability to work in temperature extremes, both hot and cold, not only due to weather, but also due to plant processes
• Ability to obtain and maintain current license for trucks, bobcats and forklifts
• Must operate in a safe, efficient and productive manner

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 2 years post secondary education, military experience or related work experience preferred.
• Requires passing score on general aptitude testing and mechanical testing conducted at MGP Ingredients.