Production Operator

Production OperatorStarting pay of $24.50 per hour. Annual bonus incentive. Three weeks PTO. 401K plus company match. Health benefits are eligible first of the month following hire. Monthly attendance bonus. Eight hours of volunteer time off per year to participate in charitable initiatives. Company paid disability and life insurance.The Production Operator assists various areas within the plant while maintaining efficient production processes according to GMP and customer specifications.Job qualifications:Education: High school diploma or G.E.D. certification preferred.Experience: Stable work history in areas such as agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.Job duties:Work in various areas of production workflow including all tasks and appropriate documentation of the following:Dumping / Grinding / ProcessingPackaging / FinishingAssist in ensuring fundamental food safety and quality practices are maintained to achieve food safety and quality objectives and to support ongoing improvements of food safety programs.Operate forklifts and/or non-motorized pallet jacks as required.Assist in maintaining a clean, safe and organized work environment. Perform basic maintenance and clean-up activities as follows:Proper storage and care of equipment used during production in accordance with the company safety guidelines and regulations.Regularly sweep and occasionally hose production and other areas.Job requirements:Ability to follow written/verbal instruction and communicate effectively with personnelGeneral and specific knowledge of machinery and ability to assist in preparing equipment for operation and/or tear down production operations.Accurately and completely abide by company good documentation procedures for recording required data and paperwork related to HACCP, GMPs, SSOPs, and SQF.Sustained physical effort required to move throughout work areas, climbing steps, ladders as required, and walking around equipment.Must be able to distinguish if food safety violations or product quality issues occur and resolve immediately or, if unable to resolve immediately, contact appropriate plant management (i.e. the Production Supervisor and/or the QC Manager).Knowledge and ability to:Learn how to operate new equipment/machineryRead gauges and record data in legible manner in accordance with established proceduresHandle multiple tasks simultaneouslyInterpret and work from oral and written instructionsPerform basic math calculationsLegibly document data for record keeping purposesImplement all safety techniques and mandated sanitary rules and regulations in accordance with established policies and proceduresCooperate with all Essentia staffRemain calm and professionalWork daily and overtime as necessaryAssist in other work-related areas as requiredOperate all necessary plant and office equipment required to accomplish job dutiesProblem-solveMust be at least 18 years of age due to nature of work (heavy machinery)Physical demand summary: Maximum frequent waist to floor lift of 5 lbs.; Maximum occasional waist to floor lift of 50 lbs.; Maximum frequent bilateral carry of 5 lbs.; Maximum occasional bilateral carry of 50 lbs.; Maximum occasional horizontal push/pull force of 50 lbs. of force; Maximum occasional vertical push/pull of 25 lbs. of force; Occasional grasping of 55 lbs. of force; Occasional 2-point/3-point/lateral pinching of 5/8/10 lbs. of force; Frequent forward/lateral reaching; Occasional above shoulder reaching; Occasional sitting; Frequent standing; Frequent walking; Frequent stair climbing; Occasional ladder/equipment climbing; Occasional squatting; Frequent bending; Occasional stooping; Occasional twisting.