Filling Operator

Cheese Packaging Technician | Brantford, Canada

Position Description

This position will be based in Brantford, Canada. Above all, the Packaging Technician is to work safely by observing all safety rules, including proper utilization of lock out tag out. The Packaging Technician works under the direction of the Production Supervisors for the Manufacturing Department. Responsible for all aspects of line operation including CIP, Change- Overs, Lubrication and Troubleshooting according to an established procedure, at a set pace while adhering to all safety regulations. Inspects product and completes required quality checks and necessary forms.

Core Responsibilities:

Safety

Protection of employee’s health and safety by meeting legislative requirements, providing instruction regarding safety procedures and ensuring compliance of all regulatory and plant safety rules.

• Report all safety related issues and near misses to supervisor. Complete safety inspections in the operator’s area to ensure all guards and safety systems are working properly.
• Promptly report any accidents/ incidents and assist in the investigation and implementation of corrective actions.
• Use or wear equipment and PPE (personal protective equipment) required to conduct the task/ activity in a safe manner.
• Complete basic safety training provided to handle chemicals and dangerous goods.
• Safe, licensed operation of powered industrial vehicles
• Not use or operate any equipment, machine or device or work in a manner that may endanger themself or others.

Workplace Hazards

• Full knowledge of the workplace and hazards within it.
• Utilize appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products, and equipment relevant to the tasks in your area.
• Work areas include conveyors and power industrial vehicles.
• Work areas include machines that start and stop automatically.

Quality

• Knowledge of product quality and food safety procedures.
• Must actively contribute to all the quality related training and complete assessments.
• Monitors product and packaging to ensure they meet or exceed all quality standards and corrective actions are taken promptly upon discovery of an issue.
• Identifies material defects at the point of receipt and notifies appropriate personnel, may include leads, supervisors, and quality, completion of SNCR documentation in Poka.
• Completes all Critical Control documents to ensure product quality.
• Performs any specified quality assurance checks designated for each job, function, or assignment.
• Understands and adheres to color code.
• Prioritizes Consumer Safety by adhering to the strict Food Safety and GMP requirements set by the company and may halt activities when there is potential risk for noncompliance.

Operational Activities

• Assemble/ Disassemble, Sanitize and Operate machine(s), keeping watch for any malfunction. Is responsible for maintaining quality and quantity of product as set by Quality Assurance and packaging Production Standards.
• Complete COP of machinery when needed.
• Inspect product according to quality standards.
• Check Packaging and total product weights and adjust the controls as required to ensure adherence to standards.
• Troubleshoot production issues as required. For serious abnormalities liaise with maintenance or Supervisors to ensure timely resolution.
• Manage changeovers as necessary.
• Monitor points of lubrication throughout line and address issues as needed.
• Maintain a high degree of personal hygiene and keeps work area in a clean and sanitary condition in compliance with GMP Standards.
• Perform SPC functions (weight/quality checks) as indicated on quality check sheets to ensure product is maintained within standards.
• Ensure adequate material supply is on the line at all times (Bottom film, top film ) and that all machines are properly loaded.
• Clean date coder printing heads and replenish coder ink as required.
• Clean and sanitize the line as needed and during changeovers.
• Maintain close communication with other employees as required to ensure continuous operation of the line.
• Complete all required documentation including but not limited to downtime reporting and entries in core.
• Ensure that all machines’ safety guards are in place and operational.
• Participate in all TPM training and apply this knowledge to the daily job duties and responsibilities.
• Other on-going activities include leading 5s activities and helping push forward the overall TPM agenda. Working on focused improvements and being an active member of a cell team responsible for the overall safety, quality, waste, and efficiency of a set of lines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Environmental

• Follows proper containment and reporting procedures and escalates any environmental release as soon as they are known, this includes releases to internal drains.
• Reduce costs due to waste and minimize impact to health, safety, and the environment through working to eliminate waste and through the correct management of waste and hazardous materials.
• Must actively contribute to an eco-efficient environment including, but not limited to disposing of materials in the appropriate waste streams.

Problem Solving

• An awareness of how to identify, prioritize and address problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate recurrence.
• Ability to make decisions when identifying in-process problems. Ability to deal with a variety of job assignments.

Teamwork

• Must be a good team player capable of working within a highly effective team; responsible, supportive, and able communicator. Embrace for a cultural change.

World Class Manufacturing (WCM)

• An awareness of how to use performance measures to identify and prioritize losses in production area; provides description of problems and can provide monitoring of process or line issues.
• May be required to complete or contribute to EWO and associated paperwork.

Tools and Equipment

• Cleaning supplies include but are not limited to: chemical cleaning agents, towels, squeegee, brushes, dust pans, brooms, mops, etc.

About you!

Minimum Requirements:

• 2-3 years’ experience in manufacturing environment required; food production environment preferred.
• GMP and HACCP knowledge
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and work well within a team environment.

About Upfield!

We are Upfield, the largest plant-based consumer goods company in the world, and we believe in doing what’s right for our people, our consumers, and the planet.

We are a growth company. We have the knowledge and expertise of an established organisation with the agility, pace, and creativity of a start-up. We are the #1 producer of plant-based spreads globally, with iconic brands including Flora, Flora Plant, Rama, Blue Band, Proactive, Country Crock and Becel. We are also a leader in plant-based cheeses and creams, having welcomed Violife into the Upfield family in 2020.

We have big ambitions, and we are looking for people with ambitions to match. People who love what they do, thrive on responsibility and are looking for career-defining opportunities. If you enjoy a challenge and a dynamic working environment, join us and we’ll give you the ownership you need to make a real impact on people’s lives and our planet.