Press Operator

This position will require a self-directed, team-oriented individual who demonstrates pride and ownership in their work and is willing to accept total responsibility for the manufacturing systems and the production of quality dry pasta products from the raw ingredient unloading, storage silos and ingredient delivery systems through mixing, extrusion, drying and dry pasta storage systems. The Press Operator I must possess good mechanical skills and be fully capable of understanding mixer, extruder and drying theories and operation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Adheres to company safety and sanitation policies and follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) in all areas of responsibility.

• Follows established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).

• Expected to be an ambassador/supporter of the training program, and provide feedback as needed to ensure training tools and job aids are developed for improved plant operations success.

• Attend training planning meetings and leading training projects, as required.

• Creates a safe and productive work environment for all employees.

• Proficient knowledge of all equipment along with auxiliary equipment.

• Monitor and operate all presses, dryers, and control systems.

• Monitor and operate flour unloading equipment and flour handling system to ensure delivery of proper ingredients to presses.

• Monitor and add other ingredients (i.e., Egg) to the delivery system.

• Properly direct finished products to storage silos.

• Perform operational adjustments plus breakdown and preventive maintenance for the flour handling system, presses, dryers, and related support equipment.

• Perform all necessary changeovers and related activities on a timely basis to execute the required production schedule.

• Collect all required samples and perform required product analysis (moistures, etc.).

• Complete necessary reporting and maintain required records.

• Replace die inserts as necessary.

• Rough-clean mixers daily, and clean thoroughly at shutdowns.

• Ensure that work areas are clean and sanitary and accept accountability for AIB scores in the raw ingredient and manufacturing areas.

• Communicate effectively with packaging operators, schedulers, lab technicians, and material handlers to ensure efficient production levels with minimal mistakes.

• Responsible for the manufacture of safe, quality, and legal product.

• Ensure compliance with all safety programs and maintain hazard free work areas.

• Must be able to adjust their own work schedule to maintain a 2-shift operation (may require overtime as operation requires).

• Be able to effectively communicate with team members to support a self-directed work environment.

• Use sound judgement in exercising caution to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.

• Assure all associates are consistently trained in all required standards and expectations, including temporary employees

• Work with the management team to develop safe work practices and implement them for effective safety that result in zero recordable and lost time accidents and encourages safe work performance.

• Exudes a high degree of interpersonal skills, objectivity and can work well with everyone.

• Assure fair and consistent application of policies, procedures, and discipline

• Follows and enforces standards for food safety and food quality production reflected in SQF as well as the regulations of major vendors and governmental agencies such as OSHA, FDA and EPA and assures associates are consistently trained in these standards and comply with all requirements.

• Demonstrates a positive attitude.

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum of one year of food manufacturing experience, preferred.

• High School Diploma, GED, equivalent.

• Must possess a solid mechanical aptitude combined with technical training and/or the equivalent in manufacturing experience (preferably in food manufacturing).

• Demonstrate creative troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of PLC theory and programming.

• Solid working knowledge of the following support equipment:

• Boilers, Pumps and circulating systems

• Air Compressors and pneumatic systems

• Pneumatic conveying theory and related systems

• Pasta drying theory and related systems

• Pasta drying theory and related instrumentation

• Understand and operate basic maintenance shop equipment.

• Working knowledge of production equipment and systems.

• Working knowledge of food safety and food quality standards and regulations such as SQF or BRC and environmental and safety regulations preferred.

• Strong analytical, planning, organizational, and time management skills.

• Ability to facilitate cross-functional teams

• Ability to effectively present information to top management

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

• Highly motivated self-starter and ability to work independently, demonstrated people and project leadership experience.

• Demonstrates good people skills

• Strong leadership skills

• Strong communication skills

• Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to be organized, multitask, and keep up with multiple fast-paced machines

• Strong skills in judgement and communication

• Basic math and measuring ability

• Ability to comprehend written and oral communication and apply commonsense understanding to carry out and follow instructions and standard operating procedures.

• Ability to read production orders and machine specifications.

• Proficient understanding of centerlines and can explain their usage

• Can demonstrate a good sense of urgency to keep production line assigned to running.

• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s)

Preferred Skills

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to think, communicate in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to effectively communicate throughout all departments.

• Ability to read and interpret documents in the English language such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedures manuals. Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the company. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret production schedules, technical procedures, and reports. Ability to write reports and calculate efficiencies for production reporting requirements. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from co-workers, managers, and auditors.

• Strong analytical skills. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form. Demonstrate creative troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

• Utilize needs assessment to identify gaps and use information to develop, implement, and adapt training content and methods

• Ability to use computers and all standard programs used by the industry and the ability to learn and effectively use all other computer programs that are or will be made available.

• Must be an effective teacher/trainer exhibiting patience and dedication; exhibit good attendance and safety practices; able to deal with stressful situations calmly and exhibit good judgement; have good time management skills; willing to train according to best practices.

• Must possess a solid mechanical aptitude combined with technical training and/or the equivalent in manufacturing experience (preferably in food manufacturing).

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to move about the facility. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk up to 90 percent of the shift; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The position requires climbing on a frequent basis. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include near and far visual acuity with some degree of color perception.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to moving mechanical parts.

• Employee must comply with all safety policies and safe work procedures established by the company.

• Using personal protective equipment as established in company policies and safe work procedures.

• Job tasks may also involve:

• Using personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, goggles, gloves, and other equipment as established in company policies and safe work procedures.

• Compliant with the uniform policy.

• Lift 50 pounds at a minimum, anything over should seek assistance.

• Frequent carrying, bending, standing, sitting, and repetitive motion.

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a global company, and we seek to recruit develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.