Production Operator - Essentia; Day Shift

Position Overview

This is a DAY SHIFT position on a 12‑hour schedule with hours of 6a.m. to 6p.m. (36 hours one week, 48 hours the next week). Base pay starting at $21.50 per hour. Benefits are paid first of the month following the date of hire. 401(k) with employer match. 9 paid holidays. PTO starting at 120 hours per year, prorated based on hire date.

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or G.E.D. certification required.
• Experience:
  
  Stable work history in areas such as agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.

• Work in various areas of production workflow, including all tasks and appropriate documentation of Dumping / Grinding / Processing, Packaging / Finishing.
• Assist in ensuring fundamental food safety and quality practices are maintained to achieve food safety and quality objectives and to support ongoing improvements of food safety programs.
• Operate forklifts and/or non‑motorized pallet jacks as required.
• Assist in maintaining a clean, safe and organized work environment.
• Perform basic maintenance and clean‑up activities such as proper storage and care of equipment used during production in accordance with company safety guidelines and regulations.
• Regularly sweep and occasionally hose production and other areas.

• General and specific knowledge of machinery and ability to assist in preparing equipment for operation and/or tear down production operations.
• Accurately and completely abide by company good documentation procedures for recording required data and paperwork related to HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and SQF.
• Must be able to distinguish if food safety violations or product quality issues occur and resolve immediately or contact appropriate plant management.
• Knowledge and ability to learn how to operate new equipment/machinery; read gauges and record data in a legible manner; handle multiple tasks simultaneously; interpret and work from oral and written instructions; perform basic math calculations; legibly document data for record keeping.
• Implement all safety techniques and mandated sanitary rules and regulations in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Cooperate with all staff and remain calm and professional.
• Work daily and overtime as necessary; assist in other work‑related areas as required; operate all necessary plant and office equipment required to accomplish job duties.

• Approximate shift: 8–12hour day (rotating shifts).
• Lifting, waist to floor: 0‑5lbs (frequent); 6‑50lbs (occasional).
• Carrying, bilateral: 0‑5lbs (frequent); 6‑50lbs (occasional); up to 15ft. self‑selected.
• Pushing/Pulling, horizontal: up to 50lbs of force; extent 0‑200ft. occasional.
• Pushing/Pulling, vertical: up to 25lbs of force; extent 0‑60in. occasionally.
• Grasping: up to 55lbs of force occasionally.
• Pinching (2‑point/3‑point/lateral): up to 10lbs of force occasionally.
• Reaching, forward/lateral: 0‑60in.; 61‑85in. occasionally.
• Sitting: occasionally.
• Standing: frequent.
• Walking: frequent up to 200ft. occasional.
• Stair climbing: frequent.
• Ladder/Equipment climbing: occasional 8‑12ft. tall.
• Squatting, bending, stooping, twisting: occasional or frequent as noted.