Production Operator - 1St Shift

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate lines and equipment, performing changeovers within required timelines while consistently meeting safety, quality, and efficiency goals. Follow work instructions, standards, and SOPs for equipment set‑up, and resolve any issues during set‑up.
• Prepare and maintain the work area: clean and sanitize all food‑contact surfaces between product changes, ensure availability of required materials and supplies, and use certified lift trucks, hand jacks, or other equipment.
• Operate equipment, troubleshoot, and adjust in accordance with established work standards. Assemble and clean equipment according to standard operating procedures.
• Conduct quality checks at regular intervals; inspect ingredients and finished products to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Complete required paperwork and reports accurately and legibly (e.g., Excel, Word, PCDA, Oracle).
• Reduce downtime by performing tasks promptly, safely, and efficiently.
• Perform operator‑scheduled maintenance checklists and execute minor machine maintenance, coordinating with maintenance when escalation is necessary.
• Submit daily reports of duties performed and production quantities produced.
• Identify and submit suggestions to improve efficiencies, quality, and safety.
• Participate in root‑cause analysis and other continuous improvement initiatives, recommending and assisting with implementation of improvement ideas.
• Comply with safety requirements, GMP requirements, and SOPs/WIs for the work area.

• Conduct quality checks at regular intervals; inspect filled containers and finished product to ensure proper packaging.
• Assist coworkers with machine set‑up, stacking, marking, packing, and transporting finished product.

• Examine product for identity and impurities; weigh out ingredients according to the batch recipe using precision scales.
• Execute batch instructions or deviations using appropriate equipment (reactors, blenders, mixers, fitzmills, metal detectors, sifters, etc.) and notify supervisors or R&D of any concerns.
• Record all item and lot number information on production tickets; update mix tickets and log books accurately.
• Lift and place raw materials into appropriate totes, tanks, or mixers using automatic or manual lifting techniques; label bulk containers properly.
• Inform Quality Control and Research & Development of material usage and recommend improvements to existing products.

Support a culture of safe production and exhibit safe work practices. Actively participate in safety activities, provide constructive feedback, adhere to policies and procedures, and report all workplace incidents and hazards to supervisors immediately. Use, wear, and store personal protective equipment as required, and participate in safety teams or related activities as part of regular job responsibilities.

• High school diploma or GED and at least six months of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred prior experience operating blending/processing and/or packaging machines and equipment.
• Preferred experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food or pharmaceuticals.

• Machine Operator certification in one to three packaging and/or processing areas (e.g., encapsulation, roller compactor, tablet coating, tablet press, wet/dry blending).
• Packaging area certifications (e.g., cloud, simplex oil, HPC, monoblock oil, powder, mateer, tea, vitamin lines). 

• Basic mechanical troubleshooting and machine adjustment skills.
• Ability to operate hand‑operated electronic lifting equipment (e.g., Interthor).
• Basic computer and data entry proficiency.
• Flexibility to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.
• Strong teamwork, communication, attention to detail, and high‑quality work ethic.
• Proficiency in reading and following written instructions and safety manuals.
• Mathematical skills: adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and calculating weight, rate, ratio, and percent.
• Reasoning ability: applying common sense to carry out instructions in written or oral form.

• Regularly lift up to 55 lbs. and move, drag, or push items up to 65 lbs. at various heights.
• Ascend and descend stairs carrying up to 35–55 lbs. and reach up to 78 inches.
• Perform tasks that require standing, walking, crouching, kneeling, and using hands for fine manipulation.

The position works in manufacturing facilities with exposure to ingredients, mixes, equipment, and packaging. Employees frequently work near moving mechanical parts, are exposed to herbal aromas, dust, and airborne particles, and may encounter moderate to high noise levels requiring hearing protection.