Filler Operator - 2nd Shift

Filler Operator

Lassonde Pappas & Co., formerly Old Orchard Brands, is a US leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers, and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee's total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

Position Summary

The Filler Operator will be responsible for the filler and support equipment for filling product and is responsible for product quality and product safety (including CQP and CCP monitoring requirements). Performs product and package changeovers. Keeps material and product loss to a minimum. Performs product quality checks. This role reports to the Production Supervisor and is based out of our Sparta, Michigan location.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Responsible for moving juice from the run tank to the filler, keep accurate data on temperature control charts, ensure Critical Control Points are met, complete CIP/Kosher/Organic washes from the run tank through the pasteurizer and to the fillers
• Attend the filler by operating the equipment efficiently to optimize production-line run time
• Monitor the flow of bottles from the depalletizing area, clear bottle jams and alert maintenance personnel of any mechanical malfunctions
• Retrieve bottle caps from the storage area and fills cap hopper
• Monitor and adjust speed of bottle filler to ensure proper work flow to the rest of the production line
• Perform minor adjustments on equipment to ensure smooth operation of the production line
• Complete packaging changeovers on the filler, rinser and depal by adjusting rails, swapping out change parts and adjusting the timing
• Perform required product quality control tests
• Sample product at beginning of run to ensure conformance to standards
• Retrieve product quality specifications from the "Processing Guide" as provided by the Quality Assurance Department
• Perform quality tests to ensure that batch conforms to product quality specifications. Weights sample of five bottles of product using scale
• Maintain a clean work area.
• Perform rinse out at the pasteurizer, filler and support tanks. Ensure correct washes are taking place by checking processing guides and QAD schedule.
• Document wash process as they are being performed on the chart records. Track formula yield.
• Monitor pasteurizer and fill-tank temperature charts, product flow rates, and fill-tank levels.
• Adjusts temperatures and/or product flow to ensure conformance to specifications and established standards - record reason for variations on temperature charts
• Record all product changes at change-over time on pasteurizer and fill-tank temperature charts.

• Accountable for food safety, food quality and regulatory requirements for their position
• Encouraged to notify management about actual or potential food safety issues
• Adopt and maintain all SQF requirements for their position
• Empowerment to work with supervision to resolve food safety and food quality issues within their scope of work
• This role will be required to taste test product as needed, up to a couple ounces per test.

• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Six months experience in a manufacturing environment operating production equipment
• Analytical and decision–making skills
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be detailed oriented and can multi-task
• Must have excellent time management skills

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food/beverage industry (if necessary)
• Previous experience in Manufacturing or production environment (if necessary)
• Ability to direct, coach and train others.
• Consultative, influential, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a production setting.

Frequent: Ability to talk and hear; ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, stoop, bend and/or crouch; push/pull; lift up to 50 pounds; use of hands and fingers to operate machinery/equipment and all manual and electronic equipment in area of responsibility. Exposure to wet and humid conditions and fluctuations in ambient temperature (seasonal).

Occasional: Squatting, kneeling, ability to reach above and at shoulder height. Ability to wear a dust mask, and perform Confined Entry using LOTO program. Exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein 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 to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.