Packaging Operator I - PPF

Business Unit Overview

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company's portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, PEBBLES, Grape-Nuts and Malt-O-Meal cereal, and Peter Pan peanut butter, as well as Rachael Ray Nutrish, Kibbles 'n Bits and 9Lives dog and cat food. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news.

Brand

It's an exciting time in pet food! Post Holdings, Inc., recently announced an agreement to acquire Perfection Pet Foods, a leading manufacturer of private label and co-manufactured pet food and baked treats. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of the calendar year in 2023. This role is part of the Perfection Pet Foods team of 250+ employees who will soon join the Post family to help grow the pet food business.

Location Description

Visalia, CA is home to 360,000 square feet of manufacturing, packaging, warehouse, and office space. Approximately 250 employees work here, utilizing the latest technologies and systems, capable of producing extensive, diverse, and innovative pet food products. Visalia is in California's San Joaquin Valley and the gateway to Sequoia National Park, part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It also has a minor league baseball team, the Visalia California Oaks, and several colleges and universities.

Responsibilities

Basic Function:

This is an entry-level position responsible for safely and efficiently operating the packing machine to ensure product compliance to Company and customer standards. This position sets up, adjusts, maintains, and operates various pieces of computerized/manual packing equipment. Strict compliance with the facility Food Safety and Quality Management System Policies, Procedures, and Work Instructions is required.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Deliver daily objectives determined by plant management.

• Operate packing equipment using several touch screen computers.

• Verify the equipment is set up for proper coding of the packaging and labeling machine.

• Verify operation/performance of packaging line metal detectors, and document results.

• Supplies machine with necessary materials, maintaining quality of machine output.

• Legibly date code product.

• Monitor products and packages for quality control.

• Complete records/quality checks with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Act on any deviations from Critical Control Limits, as required by company procedures.

• Escalate any non-conforming product/equipment/material to the appropriate manager/supervisor immediately.

• Become familiar with all machines in assigned area and share responsibilities for preventative maintenance, troubleshooting/repair, cleanliness, and escalation of assigned equipment.

• Report any food safety issues, security breaches, attempts at product tampering or contamination, and/or other suspicious behavior observed to Manager or Supervisor

• Complete and comply with the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS), Daily Routine List (DRL), HACCP procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Compliance.

• Responsible for housekeeping of the packaging machine and plant area (e.g., sweeping the floor, removing trash, cleaning the machine at the end of the shift, preparing for next shift's production, and finalizing any paperwork in an accurate, clear, and concise manner).

• Maintain a food-safe sanitary environment at all times.

• Follow Company's quality assurance procedures and protocols at all times while on duty (e.g., Labeling of containers, Inventory Control, PM programs).

• Communicate with other employees in the packaging department in a proactive and professional manner.

• Maintain standards as they apply to packaging equipment (e.g. quality, finished products, and machine operations).

• Relieve operators for meal periods and breaks.

• Train/Mentor new employees in the department with direction from the manager/supervisor.

• Provide back-up support for other roles as necessary.

• Available for overtime work on a scheduled or call-in basis, as necessary.

• Other duties as assigned by the manager/supervisor.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 1+ years experience in a manufacturing environment preferred with experience in a food manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.

• Forklift certified preferred.

Skills:

• Strong ability to communicate in English effectively both verbally and in written form.

• Attention to detail.

• Highly self-motivated and responsible.

• Ability to follow documented processes.

• Ability to multi-task and maintain a high level of accuracy; 10 key (weigh master experience preferred).

• Safely operate a forklift and other mechanical equipment.

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to and including 50 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing greater than 50 pounds.

• Regularly stand and walk throughout plant.

• Occasionally climb ladders and work at heights of 100 feet.

Environment:

• Regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts/machinery.

• Regularly exposed to major amounts of dust.

• Regularly exposed to moderate to severe noise levels.

• Regularly exposed to outdoor/uncontrolled weather conditions.

• Occasionally exposed to chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

Note: Valid Driver's License required for insurance purposes. Plant Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of this position at any time.

Offers of employment will be determined by factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training and geographical location of the open position. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.

Pay: The pay range for this position is up to $23 per hour, dependent on experience.

We offer competitive benefit plans and programs to eligible employees, including but not limited to:

• Medical

• Prescription drug

• Dental

• Vision

• Life Insurance

• Disability coverage

• Employee assistance programs (includes counseling, coaching, online programs, etc.)

• 401(k)

• Paid time off

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

At Post Consumer Brands, we are genuinely committed to diversity, equity, AND inclusion and understand that the presence of diversity alone does not create an inclusive and equitable workplace. Furthermore, our commitment to DEI is rooted in our values and how we work. Our DEI Advisory Committee works to bring our beliefs and commitments to life through our four focus pillars: Community, Workforce, Workplace, and Marketplace.