FREEZE DRY LEAD OPERATOR - 3RD SHIFT at North Freeze Dry, LLC

Freeze Dry Lead Operator 

PURPOSE OF POSITION: 

The purpose of this position is to oversee the operation of Freeze Dry preparation equipment, Freeze Dryers, Unloading and De-Panning in accordance with operational manuals and quality criteria. The Lead Operator is also responsible for the training of new hires in their department. 

Responsibilities and Essential Functions: 

• Responsible for the operation, efficiency, and quality of entire freezing and freeze dry preparation and equipment. 
• Loads recipes per production schedule.
• Observe temperature, humidity, pressure gauges, product samples, and adjust controls to maintain prescribed operating conditions for specific stages. 
• Produces the required quantity of batched recipes within established specifications and tolerances and according to production plan. 
• Inspects dry ingredient materials and other raw materials, as well as, in process materials as necessary ensuring compliance with function, quality, and recipe specifications. 
• Maintains logs and records of units produced including a record of errors resulting in rejected/discarded materials. 
• Perform pre-operational equipment, preventative maintenance tasks, and process inspections. 
• Report maintenance and quality opportunities with shift supervisors and/or managers
• Operate a forklift, as necessary.

Freeze Dry Lead Operator Responsibilities: 

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Freeze Dryers
• Interface with plant ERP system to assure inventory control, lot traceability, and tracking. 
• Train and develop staff and new hires. Report performance feedback to supervisor as needed. 
• Perform quality and sanitation functions per Quality Program and Master Sanitation Schedule. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• (2+) Years working experience in a manufacturing/production facility preferred.
• Ability to follow proper food safety, quality and workplace safety procedures and requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to follow oral and written instruction.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a team environment.
• Ability to lift to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods of time.
• Forklift certification and experience or willing to obtain.
• Work well in a team environment.
• Mechanically inclined, drive yourself to continually grow and develop your role.
• Ability to adapt and accommodate change.

North Freeze Dry offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance including employees, child(ren), spouse and family coverage.
• Ancillary benefits include Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage.
• 401(K) Program available with a company match up to 4%.
• Paid Time Off accruing on your first day and Paid Personal Days.
• 7 Company Paid Holidays. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates within a professional office and plant manufacturing environment.  While performing the duties of this job inside the office, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions for an office environment with a noise level that is usually quiet to moderate. While performing duties of this job inside and outside the manufacturing plant, the employee is frequently exposed to normal working conditions of a food manufacturing facility with a noise level that is usually moderate to loud. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods of time as well as use hands or fingers to reach or handle, and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  All vision abilities are required to encompass close-up work.  On occasion, employee must be able to tolerate and endure extended seasonal hours and maintain alertness to meet deadlines.

Occasionally while performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to machinery and moving parts, airborne particles including grain dust and hazardous materials or fumes, which may require the use of PPE. The employee may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, extended seasonal hours, high precarious places, and confined spaces.  The noise level in some of the work environments may require the use of hearing protection.

About the Company

North Freeze Dry, LLC headquartered in Fargo, ND, is a U.S.-based co-manufacturer that produces freeze-dried companion animal food and treats. The Company’s freeze-drying facility in Little Falls, MN is one of the industry’s largest and most fully integrated freeze-drying co-manufacturing facilities. North Freeze Dry, LLC is a joint venture between Anchor Ingredients Co., LLC, a leading supplier of premium ingredients for the food and pet food industries, and Barrett Petfood Innovations, a rapidly expanding co-manufacturer of premium pet foods. 

Disclaimer

This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general qualifications, duties and/or responsibilities necessary to perform this position. All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to successfully pass a background check. North Freeze Dry reserves the right to revise the job description as circumstances warrant.  North Freeze Dry. is an at-will employer, which means that either the employee or the company may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause.  We are an equal opportunity employer