Extruder Operator

Join to apply for the Extruder Operator, Blue Buffalo role at Blue Buffalo

General Mills, Inc. manufactures some of the most beloved foods in the world, including Cheerios and Lucky Charms, Nature Valley granola bars, Totino's pizza rolls, and Yoplait yogurt. Blue Buffalo became part of General Mills in 2018, so even your pets love us too. We exist to make food the world loves. We prioritize being a force for good, expand learning, explore new perspectives, and reimagine new possibilities every day.

We look for bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together.

As part of our manufacturing group, you will support production, packaging, and processing operations, sanitation, and participate in startup, changeover, and shutdown of extrusion operating equipment.

• 12‑hour shifts — 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off
• Day shift: 6:45 am to 7:00 pm
• Night shift: 6:45 pm to 7:00 am (currently hiring only for night shift)
• Ability to work overtime, any shift including days, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Plant operates 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week

• $22.50 per hour
• Shift differential: additional $1.00 per hour for hours worked between 7 pm and 7 am

• Up to 10 days (120 hours) of vacation annually and 11 paid company holidays
• Great paid time off benefits
• 401(k) match
• Health Insurance — includes medical, dental, vision, and life
• Pet Parent Perks — includes pet insurance and pet adoption reimbursement
• And much more!

Located in historic Joplin, we operate at the Joplin Pet manufacturing site producing Blue Buffalo dog food and dog treats. We foster a culture where employees are excited to come to work. We have committees that engage and connect our employees, and partner with local humane societies for events and volunteer work.

Blue Buffalo dog food, Sizzlers, Stix, Bits, Blue Bones, and Wilderness Wild Bones dog treats.

• Creating high quality foods that are eaten everyday, nationwide
• Using technology in an industry‑leading facility
• Working with high‑level operators on experienced teams who share knowledge with willing learners
• Challenging yourself to get the job done right and gain skills for future opportunities
• Troubleshoot problems with machinery or process issues and partner with maintenance staff to resolve issues
• Operate, adjust, calibrate, and monitor extrusion processing systems daily to meet required specifications
• Perform and document all production specification data and quality testing timely and accurately
• Maintain safety, sanitation, and equipment integrity
• Participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives to increase platform performance
• Assist in training new employees

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• 2 years (minimum) experience in machine operation and/or mechanical/technical skillset
• Extrusion or food processing equipment experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
• Forklift license/certification or willingness to obtain one
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to interact with digital systems used in daily tasks
• Experience in a manufacturing/production environment preferred

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Must be able to perform physical tasks for extended periods of time including standing, walking, climbing, bending, pushing, pulling, and twisting on surfaces
• Ability to climb and/or work at heights while utilizing stairs, ladders, personnel lifts, or platforms
• Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment such as safety shoes, face masks, safety glasses, hearing protection, a hard hat, a hair/beard net, and gloves when required
• Willing and able to adhere to all grooming requirements necessary for a food manufacturing environment
• Ability to work in hot, cold, noisy, dusty, wet environmental working conditions
• Willing to work around industrial high‑speed moving machinery
• Ability to work with allergens that might be present in a food environment
• Ability to work in a tobacco‑free environment