Machine Operator - Pouch Machine

Machine Operator

Department: Production (Non-Exempt)

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: City of Industry, CA

Reporting To: Production Supervisor

There’s a reason Trinidad Benham is recognized as a leader in our industry. Trinidad Benham Corp has been in business for over 100 years, and we know a thing or two about providing stable employment and growth.

Pouch Machine Operator – Specific Requirements:

• Must have at least 2 years of experience operating form-fill-seal (FFS) and/or pouch packaging equipment.
• Ability to set up, thread, and run an HMC stand-up zipper pouch line including film roll loading, web tracking, forming components, and safe start-up/shut-down procedures.
• Ability to set and verify stand-up (doypack) pouch formation, including gusset/former alignment and pouch dimension checks to specification.
• Working knowledge of pouch and zipper sealing fundamentals (seal temperature, dwell time, pressure, cooling) and ability to verify seal integrity per quality standards (top seal, back/side seals, and zipper seals as applicable).
• Ability to set, verify, and document zipper application settings (zipper position/registration, sealing, trim) and confirm zipper functionality (opens/closes smoothly, no leaks, no deformation).
• Ability to control and prevent product contamination in the zipper/top seal area (keep zipper track clean, manage dust/product migration) and perform required in-process checks.
• Ability to set, verify, and document date/lot coding (inkjet/thermal transfer) and confirm legibility, placement, and adhesion.
• Ability to perform weight checks and make filler adjustments to maintain target net weight and minimize giveaway.
• Ability to complete changeovers for pouch size, zipper type, and product variety (recipes/settings, forming sets, zipper components, jaws, coder) and complete required changeover documentation/line clearance.
• Experience clearing jams and troubleshooting common issues such as film registration, gusset tracking, zipper misalignment, zipper seal faults, poor zipper function, top seal contamination, coding faults, and misfeeds; elevate appropriately when needed.
• Ability to operate/monitor in-line devices as applicable (Tape Machine, Videojet Date Coder) and document results per SQF/GMP requirements.
• Ability to complete HMC pouch line sanitation/cleaning steps (including allergen/changeover cleans when applicable) and verify line clearance before start-up.
• Basic mechanical aptitude to perform routine preventive maintenance tasks (inspection, lubrication, parts replacement as trained) and accurate downtime reporting.
• Ability to safely handle and stage packaging materials required for stand-up zipper pouches (rollstock/film, zipper material, cartons/cases, labels) to maintain continuous production.

Education and Formal Training

• High school diploma, or equivalent required
• A minimum of 2 years of packing machine operator experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Sufficient written communication and reading skills to read and prepare logs
• Basic math skills
• Ability to operate or to quickly learn packing equipment
• Good time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong attention to detail

• Employee-owned
• Advancement Opportunities
• Weekly pay
• Insurance coverage that includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance and flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid holidays and competitive vacation/sick pay plans
• Tuition assistance program
• Employee stock ownership program (ESOP)