Production Associate

The Production Associate plays a key role in the safe production and packaging of meat products by operating equipment, inspecting product quality, preparing orders for shipment, and maintaining sanitary work conditions. Success in this role requires attention to detail, adherence to food safety and quality standards, and a commitment to meeting daily production objectives. \n Duties/Responsibilities:

• Ensure that they work safely, and all safety procedures are followed. Keep their work area in the highest safety standard possible.
• Ensures company brand materials and physical working space meet company cleanliness standards.
• Ensure that the product is always done at the correct quality in a sustainable manner.
• Communicate training needs to fully execute this Job Description.
• Comply with scheduled times to start operations and activities.
• Works to gain the knowledge needed to perform assigned tasks.
• Following the technical guidance from Maintenance and Team Leader.
• Gain the knowledge of the programs of the company’s Continuous Improvement (CI) programs to the level of understanding to support its mission.
• Be flexible to other tasks assigned, which can be a temporary event or conducing to an improved way of working.
• Examine and inspect containers, materials, and products to ensure that packing specifications are met.
• Mark and label containers or products using marking tools.
• Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment such as conveyors or in specified area.
• Load product into processing/packaging equipment
• Assemble containers.
• Load packages of vacuum sealed meat into boxes
• Remove packages (one or two at a time) and inspect labels, product position and overall visual quality, according to order specifications.
• Place inspected sealed meat packages in boxes.
• Fold and tape boxes using a case sealer, prepare boxes for shipping.
• Lift inspected, full box of meats and place on pallet.
• Weighs product and places it on the Multivac
• Sets dates on ink printer to ensure the correct best by dates, lot # and Julian dates

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of the product, production processes and other techniques for maximizing the level of production.
• Ability to follow instructions and established procedures
• Ability to work alone or as a member of a team
• Awareness of sanitation and hygiene procedures and practices,
• Concern for the safety of self and co-workers and a responsible attitude.
• Understand their contribution to the company and operations strategy (GOAL).
• Drive standard work execution.
• Eliminate NVA (Non-Value Added) work in their area.
• Execute Safety & Quality Fundamentals.
• Participate in the standard DDS cycle.
• Achieve daily operational goals.
• Be part of a high-performance work environment that allows all Artisans to live to their full potential.
• Work to achieve individual goals.

Education and Experience: 1 year experience manufacturing environment Physical Requirements:

• Physical effort equal to frequently lifting or moving materials.
• Regularly required to sit or stand, bend and/or reach.
• Manual dexterity- the ability to quickly move hands and arms, manipulate and/or assemble objects.
• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects.
• General safety, sanitation, and hygiene procedures.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, temperature changes between 15-45 degrees. Work involves frequent lifting of materials and products up to 30 pounds. Machinery operation requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to, eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, and hardhats. Loose fitting clothes and jewelry are not permitted. Will be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned. \n $17.50 - $17.50 an hour \n