Lead Operator bei Foremost Farms

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing relief support for breaks and employee absences, for entire manufacturing function, including intake unloading and load out, and processing machines and systems such as running pasteurizer, reverse osmosis (RO), separators and related process machinery/systems, in an efficient and productive manner, in accordance with company policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.   The essential functions of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Communicating in an appropriate manner with the operator that is being relieved to gain knowledge, such as present state of equipment and production run, to efficiently perform duties.

• Adhering to all GMPs, quality and safety standards while performing duties.

• Communicating with appropriate process operators to efficiently manage silo space and production schedules, reporting any issues to supervisor as needed.

• Maintaining proper recordkeeping and data entry for all liquid products received, loaded out and transferred as appropriate.

• Maintaining appropriate CIP records, quality records and other related regulatory records as needed.

• Maintaining proper recordkeeping and data entry for all products as appropriate.

• Ensuring all quality standards and procedures are maintained, including ensuring all quality procedures, GMPs, environmental sanitation and housekeeping standards are met.

• Participating in cross-functional teams to build a culture of operational excellence and innovation in the areas of processing, methods, productivity, Good Manufacturing Practices, safety and quality.

• Overseeing the appropriate training of new and present employees in the processes and methods required to achieve Foremost Farms’ standards for quality, quantity, and safety.

• Coordinating special plant-wide functions such as production planning and/or scheduling, sanitation, safety, etc., as assigned.

• Overseeing and coordinating activities of the environmental sanitation programs in compliance with state and federal regulations and Foremost Farms’ requirements during assigned shift. 

• Assisting in regulatory inspections and customer audits as needed.

• Maintaining and controlling departmental supplies, tools and equipment as needed.

• Ensuring the completion of all required production recordkeeping including appropriate ERP data, inventory, inspection, sanitation reports, processing/CIP charts and maintenance work orders.

• Coordinating all shift activities to ensure maximum efficiency of production and sanitation functions, including coordinating with the proceeding/following shifts to ensure a smooth and efficient transition between shifts.

• Coordinating and schedule production, shipping, receiving, etc.

• Participating in supervisory, safety and quality meetings and programs.

• Evaluating processes and methods, to make appropriate recommendations to continuously improve methods, equipment performance, utilization of people, and quality of product and safety objectives.

• Acting as a technical resource to address and resolve inquiries and problems regarding production, quality and work problems as appropriate. 

• Being actively involved in safety efforts including attending safety meetings, incident investigations, assisting in root cause analysis, auditing, as assigned.

• Providing back up support to other plant employees as needed.

• Perform all functions of the Intake Operator and Process Operator roles proficiently (Listed below)

• Provide directions to all Operation areas as needed, based on guidance from the Shift Supervisor.

• Maintaining a clean, organized and safe work environment.

• Regular and punctual attendance and physical presence in the workplace.

• Timely and accurate completion of duties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior Manufacturing experience
• Must be aged 18 years or older
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds with reasonable accommodations
• Able to stand for the duration of shift
• Willing to use a forklift (training is provided)
• Must be able to read and understand standard operating procedures and labels written in English
• Basic math skills (addition and subtraction) required
• Must be able to tell time on an analog or digital clock
• Participation in a team environment
• Must be detail orientated
• Ability to perform in a fact-paced work environment 
   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior Lead experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP's, OSHA and loss control programs is a plus, not required

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

The following are required competencies of the position that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job: 

• Computer Skills:   Ability to operate all information technology related business systems, programs and applications in a manner that achieves efficiency, accuracy, and relevancy of information processing and reporting as it applies to this position.
• Language Skills:   Ability to read and interpret documents such as memoranda, invoices, company policies and various documentation.  Ability to process routine reports and instructions.  Ability to communicate effectively with employees of the organization and truckers.  Ability to effectively present information to other employees of the organization and related truckers and vendors.
• Mathematical Skills:   Ability to correctly add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to correctly compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Reasoning Ability:   Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Other Skills & Abilities: Requires the ability to operate a variety of standard business machines, such as a computer and keyboard, calculator, photocopier, telephone, etc.  The ability to drive a motor vehicle and maintain a valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

The physical demands described here 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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical Demands – The physical demands described here 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 with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, crawl, climb or balance.  The employee is frequently required to talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel, or use foot/feet to operate machinery.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and crouch; stoop; or kneel.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 lb. to their waist height and occasionally lift and/or move 50 lb. to shoulder height.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment – Employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne participles.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Protective Equipment – Employee is required to wear personal protective equipment that is appropriate for the job being performed, including safety shoes/rubber boots, bump cap and other related personal garb related to food safety, including hair net/guard and rubber gloves.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

This position requires a high school diploma/GED, knowledge of basic work procedures related to the job and one year of job-related experience.  An associate degree in related field, or some college coursework and three to five years of job-related experience is preferred.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITIY QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires the operator to become proficient in the operation of all manufacturing processes and systems, including intake operations and machine processing.

BENEFITS:

Foremost Farms offers some of the best benefits in the area, because you and your family matter. Our comprehensive medical plan includes health, vision, dental, and prescription insurance. Employees pay less than $210/month for single coverage and less than $350/month for family coverage, with low annual deductibles ($250/$500) to ensure financial security. Other benefits include:

• Paid training
• Paid vacation and holidays; premium pay for holiday work
• 401(k) with a generous company contribution
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life and disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Option: Get paid every day with daily pay
• Referral program
• Advancement opportunities!