Blending Operator I

Blending Operator

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the Role

The Blending Operator is responsible for ensuring safe and quality-driven batching within expected timeframes. This entry-level position also involves completing cleaning/washes aligned with Food Safety & Quality requirements to avoid production interruptions. There are opportunities for advancement to Blending Operator II and III positions based on performance and experience.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities for All Blending Positions

• Work in teams of 2 or 3 in the blending room.
• Add 50 lbs bags into the blender according to recipes in the SAP software system.
• Fill, label, and palletize new bags for shipment.
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Quality standards.
• Maintain room organization and cleanliness in a safe manner.
• Accurately enter data into SAP.
• Adhere to safety policies and maintain a hazard-free work area.
• Attend Tier 1 Meetings and provide input as requested.
• Understand room washes and allergen/non-allergen requirements.
• Maintain GMPs and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards.
• Report all accidents and near-misses immediately.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
• Report to the shift supervisor and follow the direction of the cell lead or production team lead.

Blending Operator II

• Troubleshoot some production issues.
• Participate in problem-solving activities.
• Complete Attainment to Plan Board with support.
• Operate a forklift and perform related duties.
• Complete room washes.

Blending Operator III

• Troubleshoot complex production issues independently.
• Collaborate in problem-solving activities, identifying opportunities and solutions.
• Ensure completion of the Attainment to Plan Board independently.
• Operate a forklift and perform related duties with minimal supervision.
• Perform full room washes independently.
• Report and investigate all employee incidents (Safety, Food Safety, & Quality).
• Identify opportunities and participate in Root Cause Analysis for the department.
• Execute and delegate "if down, do" activities.
• Train and support employee adherence to all policies and procedures (e.g., breaks), address concerns, and escalate to Production Lead for support.
• Interpret production schedule in chronological order to determine the next process to run and maintain leads on lines to prevent downtime.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate in English at a level sufficient to understand job terminology.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use a scan gun and computer tablet.
• Ability to comprehend and follow written and verbal procedures or instructions.
• Previous experience in manufacturing and blending operations preferred.
• Previous work experience in a food manufacturing and distribution environment preferred.
• Previous experience with scanners/RF guns preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Food manufacturing plant and warehouse environment.
• Ability to kneel, bend, squat, carry, reach, stand, grip, push, pull, extend arms, and perform elevated work.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, or wet environments, which may be dusty at times.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds continuously.
• Ability to work overtime and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Ability to walk a lot throughout the day.
• Ability to continuously stand/walk for up to 12 hours.
• Ability to climb stairs or ladders.

Additional Information

This job description provides a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities required for this job. It should not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any position. Employees may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description. Kerry reserves the right to revise this job description as necessary.

Kerry is an Equal Opportunity Employer.