Production Operator III

Production Operator III

Location: Bardstown, KY, US

Flowers Foods, Inc. (NYSE:FLO) is not just about baking; it's about crafting moments of joy with every delicious bite. With 2025 sales of $5.3 billion, and as one of the leading producers of packaged bakery goods in the United States, Flowers Foods brings passion to the table. From the wholesome goodness of Nature's Own and Wonder to the bold and artisanal flavors of Dave's Killer Bread, the rustic goodness of Canyon Bakehouse, and the sweet delights of Tastykake, each product is a celebration of taste and quality. Beyond the oven, Flowers Foods fosters a culture that values and reflects Honesty & Integrity, Respect & Inclusion, Sustainability, Passion, and Humility. With a commitment to innovation and a recipe for success, Flowers Foods is more than a bakery – it's a delightful journey into the heart of flavor and community.

Full-time employees are offered the following benefits: Comprehensive health and medical benefits, 401(k) Retirement savings plan, Professional growth and leadership training, Paid vacation, holidays, and parental leave. Benefits may vary depending on your work location.

The production operator III is capable of contributing to assigned area of the team-oriented production process. Included is the operation of automated production equipment, primary diagnosis of machinery failures, aiding in preventative maintenance, and sanitation of all related equipment. In addition, it is the responsibility of the production operator III to contribute to maintaining a safe work environment for themselves and their fellow technicians. Position requires the ability to master the use of Enterprise software including data input that impacts production and financial systems, data retrieval, reporting, and other functions as instructed. Position requires demonstration of competency for all on-the-job activities that may have a direct or indirect effect on product safety, legality and/or quality. Position requires ability to act as a member of a highly functioning team.

Role is physical with the following requirements: Ability to routinely stoop and bend while lifting from twenty pounds to eighty ponds. Ability to routinely lift 40 pounds of wrap/packaging materials from 12 inches to 3 feet and/or from 6 feet high down to 3 feet high. Ability to routinely lift 50 pounds. Ability to climb fixed and portable ladders to a height of between ten and twenty feet, often while carrying up to 20 pounds of dough with the ability to then reach out two feet to drop dough into the top of a hopper. Ability to climb onto and crawl under machinery, as required. Ability to exert necessary force to push or pull wheeled carts weighing 500 pounds a distance of 300 feet. Ability to exert force necessary to – with assistance – move wheeled container weighing up to 2400 pounds a distance of 50 feet. Ability to exert force necessary to move equipment and icing troughs a distance of 25 feet. Ability to push wheeled cart requiring 18 pounds of force to initiate and 10 pounds of force to continue in motion to work area. Ability to roll wheeled module requiring 25 pounds of force to initiate and 8 pounds of force to continue in motion; module must also be pushed up and down a slight incline. The ability to routinely lift up to 50 pounds.

Position Responsibilities/Major Duties:

• Check and adhere to production work schedule for job assignments and work reporting times
• Maintain cleanliness of work area at all times while on duty
• May be assigned to operate facility metal detector(s); must be fully trained and certified
• Comply with work rules, safety rules, and GMPs
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures (EEO, Sexual Harassment, Safety, Sarbanes Oxley, etc.)
• Perform other duties deemed by management to be an integral part of the job, including but not limited to fulfillment of work schedules, adherence to attendance policies, and other applicable operating rules, policies and procedures

The incumbent may be trained and assigned to operate multiple types of production equipment. Regardless of specific assignment, they are responsible for ensuring all machinery is set up, operated, and monitored according to established standards and safety procedures.

General Duties (applicable across machine assignments):

• Set up equipment following all established procedures, specifications, and safety guidelines.
• Ensure continuous, efficient flow of materials through assigned equipment.
• Verify product quality meets required standards throughout operation.
• Make necessary adjustments to equipment to maintain proper performance, measurements, and production speeds.
• Remove defective product and ensure only compliant product moves forward in the process.
• Maintain clean, organized work areas and follow all sanitation requirements.
• Complete required documentation and system entries accurately and on time.

Knead to Know: Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of related experience.

Essential Job Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalency plus successful completion of a technical certification course (i.e., HVAC, auto maintenance/repair, etc).
• Equivalent military training, other related technical training, or successful completion of at least 45 college credit hours may be substituted for technical training.
• A technical certification course may include the completion of the AIB "Science of Baking" course.

Salary Range- $22.75 - $24.75

We offer a competitive salary and an excellent total rewards package.

Please reply by 11/2/26. Interested job seekers who successfully complete the series of pre-screening questions and who appear to possess the basic qualifications for this position may be contacted for a telephone interview.

EEO Statement Flowers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Flowers encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or people of any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.