Production Operator I

Production Operator I

Location: Knoxville, TN, 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 I 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 I to contribute to maintaining a safe work environment for themselves and their co-workers. 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.

Physical requirements of this position include:

• Stooping/Bending and Lifting • Ability to routinely stoop and bend while lifting from 20 to 50 pounds • Ability to occasionally stoop and bend while assisting in lifting dough module weighing up to 120 pounds. • Ability to routinely stoop, bend and lift up to 50 pounds of ingredients to a 36 inch high table and then from table to 54 inch high mixer.
• Climbing/Crawling • Ability to climb fixed and portable ladders to a height of between ten (10 and twenty (20) feet, often while carrying up to 20 pounds of scrap dough with the ability to then reach out two (2) feet to drop scrap dough into the top of hopper. Ability to climb onto and crawl under machinery.
• Push/Pull • Ability to exert necessary force to push or pull wheeled carts weighing 400/500 lbs. a distance of between 150 and 300 feet • Ability to exert force necessary to – with assistance - move wheeled container weighing up 2400 pounds a distance of 50 feet • Ability to exert force necessary to move equipment and icing troughs weighing up to 900 pounds from mixer area to wash-pit a distance of 50 + feet

Rising to the Challenge: Position Responsibilities

• Check and adhere to production work schedule for job assignments and work reporting times
• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures (EEO, Sexual Harassment, Safety, Sarbanes Oxley, etc.)
• Performs 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
• 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

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.

Additional Ingredients: 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- $24.73-$25.46

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

Please reply by October 23, 2026. 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.