Specialty Foods Production Worker

OVERVIEW: The Specialty Foods Production Worker supports day-to-day food manufacturing operations, including the production, filling, packaging, handling and preparation of baby food and pesto products. This position performs a variety of production and sanitation duties while following established food safety, quality, allergen and workplace safety procedures. 

Employees may be assigned to different production areas and responsibilities based on daily production needs. 

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with the production of baby food, pesto and other food products as assigned
• Stage and prepare raw ingredients and packaging materials for production
• Verify ingredients and materials are properly identified before use
• Assist with weighing, measuring and adding ingredients according to approved recipes, batch sheets or production instructions
• Assist with loading ingredients into mixers, tanks or other processing equipment
• Support mixing, blending, transferring, heating, cooling, filling and packaging operations as assigned
• Operate or assist with production equipment after receiving appropriate training
• Assist with filling and sealing cups, containers, bags or other product packaging
• Monitor product fill weights and make or report adjustments as directed
• Inspect containers, seals, labels, date codes and finished products for obvious defects
• Remove defective or nonconforming products from the production line and notify the appropriate supervisor or quality employee
• Box, case-pack, palletize, wrap and prepare finished products for further processing, HPP, storage or shipment
• Apply labels and product identification as required
• Assist with loading and unloading HPP equipment when assigned
• Operate pallet jacks and other approved material-handling equipment after proper training
• Move ingredients, packaging materials, work-in-process and finished products throughout the facility
• Complete or assist with production records, counts and other required documentation
• Follow established procedures for ingredient and finished-product lot traceability
• Follow all allergen control procedures, including requirements associated with products containing milk, tree nuts or other identified allergens
• Follow GMP’s, HACCP/ Food Safety Plan requirements, SOP’s, SSOP’s and company food safety policies
• Follow proper handwashing, personal hygiene, protective clothing and production area practices. 
• Perform required cleaning and sanitation of equipment, utensils, production areas, floors and food contact surfaces
• Assist with changeover cleaning and allergen cleaning between products when required
• Handle cleaning and sanitation chemicals only in accordance with training and established procedures
• Maintain a clean, safe and organized work area throughout the production shift
• Immediately report food safety concerns, product contamination, equipment problems, injuries, spills or unsafe conditions to supervision 
• Follow all workplace safety procedures, including machine guarding, lockout/ tagout requirements, chemical safety and material-handling practices applicable to assigned duties
• Assist with receiving, unloading, opening, handling and storing ingredients and packaging materials as needed. 
• Perform general housekeeping throughout production and warehouse areas
• Work cooperatively with Production, Quality, Sanitation, HPP, Warehouse and other departments as needed
• Perform other production related duties as assigned

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee works in a food manufacturing environment and may be exposed to refrigerated temperatures, wet floors, water, food ingredients, cleaning and sanitation chemicals, moving mechanical equipment and varying noise levels.

Employees may work in both refrigerated and temperature-controlled production areas and may be required to move between baby food, pesto, HPP, packaging, sanitation and warehouse operations depending on the production needs. 

Required personal protective equipment must be worn as designated for each production area.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision and Peripheral vision. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand for the entire shift; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. 

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.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Previous experience working in a production /manufacturing environment a plus
• Basic reading and math skills
• Ability to work a variable schedule and maintain acceptable attendance and punctuality