Processing Operator

Processing Operators

Processing Operators are responsible for meeting production throughput and quality goals, ensuring all product checks are performed and documentation is correct. They must be able to follow food safety Good Manufacturing Practices and procedures and personal safety procedures. Processing operators perform different jobs depending on skill and training level.

Processing Operator 1

Entry level position generally responsible for removing cooked product from screens and packing into work in process (WIP) bins making sure not to mix products and properly labeling WIP bins.

• Ensure product is released by quality and can be removed from screens.
• Remove product from the screens and place into WIP bins.
• Notify department leader and/or quality of any noted issues with the product.

Positions may be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift.

Processing Operator 2

Next level position that may be assigned to several different tasks:

• Loading screens onto extrusion conveyor belt,
• taking screens with product on them off the extruder belt and placing into racks, or
• moving racks into the processing room and taking filled racks out of the processing room and placing into an oven.

This is a 1st shift position with staggered start times working in the processing cold room.

Processing Operator 3

Upgraded skill position that includes ability to setup, run, and disassemble the extruder in addition to tasks assigned in Processing Operator 2 and/or coarse chopping meat prior to mixing.

Extrusion skills:

• Assemble extruder parts and attach the correct die for the order.
• Change dies as needed for additional jobs.
• Disassemble the extruder after production for sanitation.

Meat chopping skills:

• Locate meat according to the batch sheet and coarse chop with the provided machine.
• Record the lot numbers used on the batch sheet.
• Assist loading meat into the mixer as needed.
• Insure ingredients are clean, packaged, and labeled correctly before returning to stock.

This is a 1st shift position with staggered start times working in the processing cold room.

Processing Operator 4

Upgraded skill position that includes the ability to add ingredients according to the batch sheet and run the mixing bowl in addition to tasks assigned in Processing Operator 3.

Mixing skills:

• Ability to follow batch sheet for ingredients and mixing instructions.
• Record appropriate lot numbers and mix time on the batch sheet.

This is a 1st shift position with staggered start times working in the processing cold room.

Processing Operator 5

Upgraded skill position that includes the ability to gather materials required for making batches and be able to perform any of the Operator level tasks as needed.

• Ability to understand and pick ingredients needed for products to be run for the day
• Ability to drive a forklift.
• Record appropriate lot numbers and mix time on the batch sheet.

This is a 1st shift position with staggered start times working in the processing cold room.

Job Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be detail oriented
• Must be 18 years of age

Education/Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Ability

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Math Ability

Ability to add and subtract and to multiply and divide. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Computer Skills

No computer skills required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must (depending on position)

• regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds,
• frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and
• occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• regularly required to stand; walk and use hands to handle or feel. The employee is

frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is

• occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk and hear.
• pushing and pulling of materials on carts.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

• occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather).
• work near moving mechanical parts.
• fumes or airborne particles.
• cold (non-weather) and heat (non-weather).
• The noise level in the work environment may be loud.