2nd Shift Cooler Associate

The Cooler & Smoker Associate is responsible for the safe processing, cooling, smoking, handling, movement, storage, and staging of food products in accordance with established production schedules, work instructions, and food safety requirements.

This position works closely with the Cooler & Smoker Lead and Supervisor to ensure products are properly processed, cooled, smoked, labeled, identified, stored, rotated, and transferred while maintaining accurate production and traceability records.

The Cooler & Smoker Associate is expected to work safely and efficiently in refrigerated and temperature-changing environments while maintaining compliance with GMP, HACCP, SQF, applicable USDA requirements, allergen control, food defense, food fraud prevention, sanitation procedures, workplace safety requirements, and company policies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Load and unload industrial smokehouses according to established production schedules and procedures.

Safely transfer products between Kitchen, Smokehouse, Cooler, Warehouse, Repack, and other designated production areas.

Monitor product temperatures during cooling, smoking, storage, and product handling processes as required.

Follow established cooling procedures, time and temperature requirements, and product handling instructions.

Accurately record product temperatures, cooling information, and required production data.

Immediately report temperature deviations or other processing concerns to the Cooler & Smoker Lead, Supervisor, and/or Quality personnel.

Label finished and in-process products accurately.

Verify product names, lot numbers, labels, dates, and other required product identification.

Maintain product identification and traceability throughout processing, cooling, storage, and transfer.

Rotate inventory according to FIFO (First In, First Out) requirements.

Stage finished products in designated locations for shipping or additional processing.

Safely organize and store products in designated Cooler and production locations.

Complete required production paperwork accurately and timely.

Perform required product and quality checks.

Inspect products for damage, defects, contamination, incorrect labeling, or other non-conforming conditions.

Immediately notify the Lead, Supervisor, and/or Quality personnel of food safety, quality, or product concerns.

Assist with daily inventory counts and product verification.

Maintain clean, organized, and clearly identified storage and production areas.

Operate hand pallet jacks and other approved material-handling equipment as trained and authorized.

Safely move product racks, carts, pallets, and other materials.

Operate forklifts only when properly trained, certified, and authorized by the Company.

Follow production schedules, work instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and supervisor direction.

Perform required pre-operational equipment and work-area inspections.

Report damaged, malfunctioning, or unsafe equipment immediately.

Clean workstations, equipment, racks, carts, and assigned production areas throughout the shift.

Assist with cleaning and sanitation during product changeovers and as required.

Maintain department housekeeping standards throughout the shift.

Follow all applicable sanitation procedures.

Work safely around smokehouses, cooling systems, forklifts, pallet jacks, racks, carts, and other production equipment.

Participate in required safety, food safety, quality, and departmental training.

Support departmental continuous improvement efforts.

Cross-train in other production areas when required.

Assist in training new employees when requested by management.

Perform additional duties as assigned based on operational and production needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Cooler & Smoker Associates are expected to:

Work cooperatively with coworkers and other departments.

Accept work direction from Leads, Supervisors, and management.

Assist in training new employees when requested.

Demonstrate positive work habits, professionalism, dependability, teamwork, and accountability.

Communicate production, food safety, quality, equipment, and workplace safety concerns promptly.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED Equipment may include:

Industrial smokehouses

Cooling racks

Hand pallet jacks

Electric pallet jacks, if trained and authorized

Hand trucks

Product carts and racks

Temperature probes

Digital thermometers RF scanners

Floor scales

Barcode printers

Label printers

Handheld scanners

Cleaning and sanitation equipment

Forklifts, if…