Labeler - Bottling Manufacturing

Job Title: Bottling Line/Label Operator 

Department: Production / Manufacturing
Reports To: Production Supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Bakersfield

Position Summary

The Bottling Line/Label Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining automated bottling and labeling equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous production of high-quality bottled beverages. This position plays a key role in maintaining production flow, performing equipment changeovers, and ensuring all products meet established company and regulatory standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Technical Qualifications

• Experience operating automated manufacturing or packaging equipment in a food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or similar production environment preferred.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude with the ability to perform equipment setup, adjustments, troubleshooting, and routine operational checks.
• Experience performing equipment changeovers, product inspections, and production documentation in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with laser coding systems, automated labeling equipment, conveyors, and packaging equipment is preferred.
• Knowledge of automated bottling, labeling, laser coding, and conveyor systems used in high-speed beverage manufacturing.
• Understanding of production flow, packaging specifications, and quality standards to ensure products meet company and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety requirements, sanitation procedures, and workplace safety standards.
• Understanding of changeover procedures for multiple bottle sizes, label configurations, and production runs while minimizing downtime.

Skills

• Ability to operate, monitor, and optimize high-speed automated labeling equipment to maintain production efficiency and quality.
• Ability to recognize equipment abnormalities, diagnose common operating issues, and perform minor mechanical adjustments to restore production.
• Skill in performing detailed quality inspections, including verification of label placement, laser coding, packaging integrity, and product appearance.
• Ability to complete production documentation accurately and maintain records required for quality and traceability.
• Ability to coordinate with Production, Quality, and Maintenance to quickly resolve equipment or process issues.
• Strong attention to detail while working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where product quality and equipment performance are critical.

Abilities

• Ability to learn multiple labeling systems, production configurations, and changeover procedures.
• Ability to safely operate production equipment while following all Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), GMP, food safety, and company safety procedures.
• Ability to prioritize work, monitor several operating conditions simultaneously, and make sound decisions under production deadlines.
• Ability to identify trends in equipment performance and communicate concerns before they result in downtime or product defects.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing to overall line performance and team success.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in a manufacturing or bottling environment. One year of experience on labeling equipment required. 
• Technical Skills:
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot automated machinery.
• Basic mechanical aptitude to perform equipment adjustments.
• Understanding of GMPs, food safety, and workplace safety standards.

Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy in product inspection and documentation.
• Teamwork: Collaborates effectively with other operators, mechanics, and supervisors.
• Safety Awareness: Adheres strictly to all safety and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identifies and communicates equipment or process issues promptly.
• Reliability: Demonstrates consistent attendance, punctuality, and performance.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: This position operates in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, wet floors, cleaning chemicals, and varying temperatures. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including hearing protection, gloves, and eye protection is required at all times. 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 regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This description reflects the type and level(s) of work performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive or to portray the specific duties of any one incumbent. The management of Crystal Geyser Water Company may change this description at any time, according to business needs.