Machine Operator LVL 1

Machine Operators Level 1

We are looking for Machine Operators Level 1 to join our Production team. In this role, you will safely operate assigned production equipment while maintaining safety, food quality, GMP, and production standards.

You will receive training to develop your skills in machine operation, basic troubleshooting, changeovers, quality checks, documentation, and autonomous maintenance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate assigned production equipment safely and consistently according to approved standard work, product specifications, start-up parameters, and supervisor instructions.
• Prepare the assigned machine or workstation for production by verifying cleanliness, machine readiness, guards, safety devices, materials, tools, settings, product flow, and required documentation before assuming control of the area.
• Execute production start-up, normal operation, product transitions, and end-of-run activities while maintaining focus on safety, food safety, quality, downtime, gross waste, overweight, and production efficiency.
• Perform assigned machine adjustments within Level 1 authorization, including basic settings, alignment, material positioning, product flow corrections, visual inspections, and routine checks required to maintain stable operation.
• Monitor product quality during the shift and take immediate action when product is outside specification, including stopping the line when required, segregating product, escalating to supervision/quality, and applying hold procedures as defined by AbiMar standards.
• Complete production records accurately and on time, including required checks, downtime events, quality inspections, lot/film/material information, changeover documentation, waste records, hold information, and shift handoff notes.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, leads, quality, maintenance, warehouse, sanitation, and other operators to support safe, stable, and continuous production execution.
• Perform effective shift handoffs by clearly communicating machine condition, open issues, changeover status, downtime causes, product quality observations, material needs, and any risks that may affect the next shift.
• Escalate abnormalities promptly and factually using the defined escalation chain, including safety issues, repeated machine faults, quality deviations, food safety concerns, missing materials, documentation errors, or conditions outside the operator's authorized capability.
• Maintain the work area clean, organized, and inspection-ready according to 5S, GMP, allergen, foreign material, and housekeeping standards.
• Work flexibly across assigned lines, workstations, or production areas as needed based on staffing, production priorities, training plans, and supervisor discretion.
• Support the training of other operators when qualified and requested, by demonstrating standard work, safe practices, proper documentation, and disciplined operating behaviors.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the business needs of the work unit.

Requirements:

Technical Operation Skills

• Understand assigned equipment purpose, normal operating conditions, basic controls, start/stop sequence, safety devices, recipes/settings, material flow, and critical-to-quality checks.
• Operate the assigned machine or workstation according to standard work with increasing independence after training and qualification.
• Recognize normal versus abnormal equipment and product conditions and take appropriate action within Level 1 authority.

Problem-Solving and Improvement Skills

• Use structured observation to identify immediate causes of downtime, jams, quality defects, waste, or unsafe conditions.
• Apply approved self-correction steps before escalating, and escalate promptly when the condition is outside Level 1 scope or repeats.
• Participate in shift huddles, problem-solving discussions, and improvement actions by providing accurate facts from the line.

Work Behaviors, Attitude, and Discipline

• Demonstrate ownership, reliability, punctuality, teamwork, respect, and a positive attitude toward change and continuous improvement.
• Follow instructions, standards, and priorities without bypassing safety, food safety, or quality requirements.
• Complete assigned tasks on time without repeated prompting and communicate proactively when support is needed.

Autonomous Maintenance Execution

• Perform cleaning, inspection, basic adjustment, readiness checks, and abnormality identification according to the operator standard.
• Protect machine basic condition and reduce repeat issues through disciplined inspection and timely escalation.

Autonomous Maintenance Ownership and Control

• Maintain control of line conditions, machine settings, materials, documentation, and escalation to prevent quality and food safety deviations.
• Take ownership of the assigned area before, during, and after the shift through proper handoff and accurate records.

Digital, Documentation, and Data Discipline

• Complete paper or digital production records accurately and within required timing.
• Use available systems, screens, HMI, SAP, scanners, or other tools as required by the assigned area and training level.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent combination of education, manufacturing experience, and demonstrated job capability may be considered based on HR policy.
• 1-3 months of related manufacturing, production, warehouse, packaging, or machine operation experience is preferred; bakery, cookie, cracker, snacks, or food manufacturing experience is a plus.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow work instructions, safety rules, GMPs, product specifications, check sheets, and production documentation.
• Basic math skills required to support weights, counts, lot checks, production records, waste tracking, and recipe/material verification.
• Basic computer or system capability preferred, including ability to use HMIs, scanners, SAP transactions, digital forms, or Microsoft Office tools when required by the assigned area.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, quality, maintenance, and support functions.
• Ability to work assigned shifts, overtime, weekends, and schedule changes as required by business needs.