Packer

Packer

The Packer ensures that food products are packaged safely, accurately, and efficiently according to established specifications and production schedules. This role operates and monitors packaging equipment, maintains a clean and compliant work area, and supports continuous production by performing line rotations, completing documentation, and assisting with quality assurance checks. The Packer consistently follows food safety and workplace safety standards while handling packaging materials and finished goods.

Responsibilities:

• Perform all tasks in strict accordance with food safety and workplace safety standards, including SQF, GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and company policies.
• Participate in safety training programs and actively contribute to safety initiatives that promote a strong safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and third-party requirements related to food safety, sanitation, allergens, organic, gluten-free, food fraud/defense, and environmental regulations.
• Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of all products being packed, including product specifications and the required weight of each tortilla produced.
• Retrieve and review product specifications from the company ERP system to ensure accurate packaging.
• Identify and understand the specifications of boxes and bags used for packaging, ensuring correct materials are used for each product.
• Program and adjust date coding machines for bags and boxes according to product rotation and production requirements.
• Prepare the workstation at the start of each shift with the necessary bags, boxes, and packaging materials.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area throughout the shift in accordance with good housekeeping policies and SQF guidelines.
• Follow the production schedule and specifications to meet productivity and output goals.
• Participate in line rotation throughout the day or workweek, including moving to other lines, assisting co-workers, or cleaning lines during machine downtime or break and lunch coverage.
• Maintain continuous communication with line leaders and machine operators regarding any product deficiencies, such as undercooked or overcooked tortillas, incorrect weight, or size issues.
• Foster proactive and respectful communication with co-workers and leadership to support smooth operations.
• Operate packaging equipment such as Auto Baggers, Ilapak machines, and related auto bagging systems.
• Perform complete changeovers in the packaging area, including vision systems, counter stackers, auto baggers, bag printers, and weight settings.
• Enter accurate production information into the TGI Machine Log and complete product pathways in the TGI system.
• Record all downtime events in the Machine Log system to support accurate reporting and troubleshooting.
• Retrieve packaging materials from the warehouse and return unused materials to warehouse storage at the end of each production run.
• Use computers and RF guns proficiently to access information and record data.
• Rotate continuously within assigned workstations, including packaging tortillas, boxing tortillas, lifting boxes up to 50 lbs, stacking, palletizing, and organizing product on pallets.
• Operate pallet jacks and other material handling equipment to move finished products and raw materials to designated locations.
• Perform visual product inspections to ensure product quality and report any issues promptly.
• Assist in quality assurance activities, including pH verification, metal detection checks, recording pH levels, and identifying specification deviations.
• Follow and comply with all SQF requirements and maintain workstations in alignment with SQF standards.
• Adhere to general manufacturing practices and prioritize safety in all tasks.
• Support inventory-related tasks such as picking, material handling, and stacking as needed.
• Comply with company attendance and punctuality policies and maintain reliability and schedule flexibility, including weekends, holidays, and off-shifts as needed.
• Fulfill all essential job functions in a consistent state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support production and operational needs.

Essential Skills:

• Grade school education required; High School Diploma or GED is a plus.
• 12 years of experience operating or working with food manufacturing machinery or similar equipment.
• 12 years of experience following work task specifications, standard operating procedures (SOPs), recipes, or similar instructions.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in basic math skills and proper use of a calculator.
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use ERP systems and data entry tools.
• Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues in product and packaging.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to access and interpret product specifications via the company ERP system and enter data accurately.
• Ability to work at the required production speed while following all safety requirements.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 lbs on a regular basis.
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods and perform continual walking on hard surfaces.
• Ability to bend, stoop, crawl, reach, grasp, kneel, squat, and work in adverse or awkward positions.
• Ability to operate pallet jacks and other industrial material handling equipment safely.
• Reliability, punctuality, and flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and off-shifts as needed.
• Ability to remain in a consistent state of alertness and perform duties safely.
• Commitment to comply with all food safety and third-party certification policies, including SQF, gluten-free, and organic standards.
• Ability to adhere to a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol in the workplace.
• Team-oriented mindset and willingness to collaborate with others.
• Self-motivation and the ability to identify errors in product and packaging materials.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience with packing, packaging, production, general labor, picking, material handling, palletizing, stacking, and inventory tasks.
• Familiarity with production reports and the ability to interpret and use them effectively.
• Experience with ERP systems for accessing product specifications and recording data.
• Experience operating Auto Baggers, Ilapak machines, and other automated packaging equipment.
• Experience with metal detection programs and basic quality assurance procedures such as pH verification and line quality checks.
• Comfort working in environments with rotating and reciprocating machinery.
• Ability to adapt to changing production priorities and perform job rotations within a shift.
• Strong sense of responsibility for maintaining production line efficiency and product quality.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package designed to support their health, financial security, and overall well-being. Available programs include medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, and a 401(k) savings plan with matching contributions. Team members also have access to an employee assistance program, wellness initiatives, life and AD&D insurance, disability coverage, and generous paid time off. Additional offerings such as tuition reimbursement, student loan counseling, and an employee referral program provide opportunities for personal, educational, and professional growth, while recognizing and rewarding employee contributions.

Work Environment:

This role is based in a food manufacturing and packaging facility with continuous production operations. The work involves continual walking and standing on hard surfaces, climbing and descending steps, and frequent bending, kneeling, squatting, stooping, reaching, pulling, pushing, and lifting up to 50 lbs. The environment includes exposure to rotating and reciprocating machinery, cool and hot temperatures, and production noise. The position requires operating industrial equipment such as pallet jacks and other material handling tools, as well as using computers, ERP systems, and RF guns for data entry and inventory tasks. Employees must be able to stand for long periods and work at production-line pace while maintaining compliance with food safety, SQF, gluten-free, and organic standards. A clean, organized, and safe work area is expected at all times, in line with good housekeeping and regulatory requirements.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk Grove, CA.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $19.57 - $21.57/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Elig