This is a NIGHT SHIFT position on a 12-hour shift with hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (36 hours one week, 48 hours the next week).

The Production Operator assists various areas within the plant while maintaining efficient production processes according to GMP and to meet customer specifications.

Base pay starting at $21.50 per hour

$3.00 per hour night shift premium

Benefits first of the month following date of hire

401(k) with employer match

9 paid holidays

PTO starting at 120 hours per year, prorated based on hire date

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

High School Diploma or G.E.D. certification preferred.

Experience:

Stable work history in areas such as agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.

JOB DUTIES:

Work in various areas of production workflow including all tasks and appropriate documentation of the following:

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 as follows:

Proper storage and care of equipment used during production in accordance with the company safety guidelines and regulations.

Regularly sweep and occasionally hose production and other areas.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to follow written/verbal instruction and communicate effectively with personnel

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.

Sustained physical effort required to move throughout work areas, climbing steps, ladders as required, and walking around equipment.

Must be able to distinguish if food safety violations or product quality issues occur and resolve immediately or, if unable to resolve immediately, contact appropriate plant management (i.e. the Production Supervisor and/or the QC Manager).

Knowledge and ability to:

Learn how to operate new equipment/machinery

Read gauges and record data in legible manner in accordance with established procedures

Handle multiple tasks simultaneously

Interpret and work from oral and written instructions

Perform basic math calculations

Legibly document data for record keeping purposes

Implement all safety techniques and mandated sanitary rules and regulations in accordance with established policies and procedures

Cooperate with all Essentia staff

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

Problem-solve

Physical Demand Summary: Maximum frequent waist to floor lift of 5 lbs.; Maximum occasional waist to floor lift of 50 lbs.; Maximum frequent bilateral carry of 5 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral carry of 50 lbs.: Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull force of 50 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional vertical push/pull of 25 lbs. of force: Occasional grasping of 55 lbs. of force; Occasional 2-point/3-point/lateral pinching of 5/8/10 lbs. of force; Frequent forward/lateral reaching; Occasional above shoulder reaching; Occasional sitting; Frequent standing; Frequent walking; Frequent stair climbing; Occasional ladder/equipment climbing; Occasional squatting; Frequent bending; Occasional stooping; Occasional twisting.