Production Machine Operator Lead

Machine Operator Lead

We're Tovala, a food-tech company reinventing home cooking to save consumers time. Through an innovative combination of hardware, software, and fresh food delivery, we make it incredibly simple for anyone to prepare and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing time to do whatever matters to them. Through our superior technology, product experience and food quality, we have separated Tovala from the busy pack of other meal delivery businesses. In the process, we've amassed a loyal, rapidly growing following and our retention, product engagement and customer NPS are all best-in-class. We've raised over $100mm from great investors like Left Lane Capital, Origin Ventures, Y Combinator and Comcast Ventures and have invested strongly in building a unique culture that fosters growth, personal development and camaraderie.

Position Summary

As a Machine Operator Lead on Tovala's production team, you will play an important role in keeping our packaging and food production equipment running efficiently. This role focuses on operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining production machinery, helping ensure equipment runs safely while meeting production and quality standards. The Machine Operator Lead is responsible for identifying and resolving equipment issues, making mechanical adjustments, and assisting with minor repairs to minimize downtime. In addition to equipment operation and troubleshooting, this role helps support daily production activities, trains new operators, and helps guide team members working on the line. Machine Operators are also responsible for cleaning and sanitizing equipment during project changeovers and at the end of each shift. As needed, operators may also assist with prepping packaging materials and supporting packing line operations to assemble meals for shipment to customers.

Location: West Valley City, UT

Essential Functions

• Operating and monitoring packaging and food production equipment.
• Troubleshooting equipment issues and making adjustments to keep machines running efficiently.
• Performing minor mechanical adjustments and assisting maintenance with equipment repairs when needed.
• Packaging food products using a variety of machines for different processes. Some equipment requires film changes or machine setup adjustments depending on the product or project.
• Ensuring machines are sealing product properly and inspecting products to maintain quality standards.
• Completing verification forms and production documentation in a timely and accurate manner.
• Cleaning and sanitizing machines during project changeovers and at the end of each shift.
• Preparing packaging materials and supporting packing line operations when needed.
• Training new operators and providing ongoing support to team members.
• Directing team members working at the assigned machine to ensure personnel safety, food safety, and operational efficiency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Standing and/or walking for 8+ hours per shift.
• Working in a refrigerated production environment between 36F and 39F.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and working around production equipment.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Use of hands and fingers for machine operation, adjustments, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work safely around moving equipment and machinery.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) for food safety and facility requirements.

Competencies

• Standing and/or walking for 8+ hours per shift.
• Working in a refrigerated production environment between 36F and 39F.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and working around production equipment.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Use of hands and fingers for machine operation, adjustments, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work safely around moving equipment and machinery.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) for food safety and facility requirements.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience operating manufacturing or packaging equipment required
• Experience in troubleshooting production equipment and resolving basic mechanical issues.
• Familiarity with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); experience writing or updating SOPs is a plus.
• Experience in training or mentoring machine operators is preferred.
• Food Handler Certification required.
• Knowledge of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety procedures is preferred.

$22 - $22 an hour

Compensation & Benefits

Tovala uses market data, geography, and placement of internal employees to determine salary. Additionally, we offer all employees real ownership in the company in the form of a competitive equity package.

• Flexible paid time off (with a minimum of 15 days off you are highly encouraged to take)
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage we really invest in
• 401k with match
• Free Tovala Smart Oven and discounted Tovala meals
• Paid holidays and our winter holiday office shutdown where the offices and facilities close for a week around Christmas and New Years
• Various other perks - recognition programs, continued learning stipend, casual dress code, in-office coffee, snacks and drinks, and Tovala swag

Our Values

Put the Team First: We put what is best for the broader team ahead of what is best for ourselves or our immediate department.

Get S#!t Done (Well): We celebrate people at all levels for delivering high impact work that expands the bounds of what we're able to do.

Connect the Dots: We engage with curiosity to learn how our work impacts others so that we can problem-solve holistically and work collaboratively.

Be Direct: We share our perspective openly and directly, even when it feels difficult to do so.

Embrace the Obstacles: We rise to meet challenges with a sense of urgency, resolve, and optimism.

Champion the Customer: We consider and prioritize our customer in all of our decisions

At Tovala we're committed to building a workplace that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills, and perspectives and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Everyone is welcome here!