Refrigeration Operator

WAWONA FROZEN FOODS

ABOUT THIS COMPANY

We pride ourselves on being family-owned and operated and treating our employees like family. Working at a company where safety and quality are top priorities. Every day, Wawona Frozen Foods' commitment to excellence justifies its reputation for delivering superior quality, value, and service. Wawona's state-of-the-art production methods and facilities ensure consistent high-quality products - all while maintaining the highest food safety standards as required by the USDA and state regulators.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The role of an operator for the refrigeration department will have the ability to handle most of the needs required for the department's equipment. Works in close communication with department lead or supervisor to ensure that the daily, weekly, and monthly goals are met. Monitors systems to ensure proper operation and ensures that countermeasures are followed or developed to avoid any crises that can be derived. Communicates and asks help to perform tasks critical to the system.

DUTIES INCLUDE

• Active participation in Wawona Frozen Foods' Safety program to maintain a healthy and injury-free environment.
• Participate in training and company meetings to facilitate individual and company growth.
• Compliance with all GMP, HAACP, Food Safety, Food Defense, and SQF policies and procedures.
• Empowered to notify and/or act in response to any issues or concerns within the scope of work.
• Wears all the required personal protective equipment.
• Communicates with lead, supervisor or manager of work status and any deficiencies or relevant critical information to avoid a hazard or improve performance.
• Active member of HAZMAT team.
• Intermediate Ammonia system knowledge, including ability to do assessments, troubleshooting, fixing, and maintaining the ammonia system under some guidance for critical jobs.
• Intermediate ability to perform Total Productive Maintenance in any equipment that include but are not limited to repair or replacement of: Bearings, Bushings, Shafts, Gear Boxes, Greasing, Lubing, etc.
• Entry-level knowledge and ability to perform and understand electrical work.
• Ability to read schematics or other engineering drawings.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence in English.
• Intermediate ability to assess issues, troubleshoot and develop proper counter measures.
• Inspects systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes.
• Work as a team within departments and with other departments.
• Must complete other duties as assigned by department Supervisor/Manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• 3+ years' work experience in refrigeration for a food or similar manufacturing facility
• RETA I or RETA II preferred
• Intermediate Ammonia system knowledge, including ability to do assessments, troubleshooting, fixing, and maintaining the ammonia system under some guidance for critical jobs.
• Complete safety program training, including but not limited to: Ammonia systems safety, Lock Out Tag Out, Hazmat, Confined Space Entry, Hot Works, PIT, SDS/Chemical Safety, NFPA 70E, etc.
• RMP/PSM program, including system configuration, site evacuation, emergency contacts and procedures.
• Ability to read, write, follow instructions, and recognize similarities and difference.
• Ability to do basic math, addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
• Ability to perform operations while maintaining high level of quality and wearing appropriate proper personal protection equipment.
• Ability to do continuous repetitive work.
• High attention to detail, and thorough practice of note/record keeping.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent listening skills and strong written and verbal communication skills
• A strong work ethic and a can-do attitude
• Self-motivated and self-starter
• Strict adherence to GMP guidelines.
• Excellent time management skills and able to work under deadlines and timelines.
• Ability to work with various employees and employee levels while building rapport and respect.
• Ability to read, write, and understanding instructions in English.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Must be punctual and regular attendance is required.
• Understand and follow all color-coding rules as stated in procedures.
• Ability to use various computer programs including excel, word, teams, PowerPoint, and outlook.

LOCATION & SHIFT INFO

• This position will work out of our Cedar or Alluvial location.
• Ability to work weekends and overtime as needed.

BENEFITS

• Full time employees are eligible to participate in our competitive benefit package which includes a generous 401k with company match, medical, dental and vision benefits, employer paid life insurance, employee assistance program, and voluntary life, cafeteria 125 flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Wawona Wednesday's, End of Season Appreciation Events, T-shirts and Hats, Employee of the Month
• You'll have the opportunity to work with great people and make a real impact - while being your unique, authentic self at work.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY

• We learn together. We believe in supporting all employees with all the training, resources, and tools to be successful. We invest in our people, we learn together, we take the time to train, and we grow together. We celebrate OUR people and want each employee to have a long career with Wawona Frozen Foods.
• We focus on building and keeping relationships, going above and beyond, and offering world-class service. Empowering each team member to make Wawona Frozen Foods better every day, come up with improvements and suggest suggestions, and help us be innovative. We are proud of our history and want to continue to leave a legacy.
• Wawona Frozen Foods promotes a work environment that encourages problem-solving, collaboration, and a culture of growth. We roll up our sleeves, we get dirty, we exemplify true grit, and we support each other because we truly care about our people.
• We pride ourselves on having a diverse team matching our diverse product base. We have an inclusive culture where different professional and personal perspectives, ideas, and suggestions are respected and welcomed.
• We pride ourselves on the fast-paced environment that our season creates, and we recognize that if it was not for our people working hard that we would not be as successful.
• We strive to deliver the best fruit products available and to be a valued partner in every one of our customer's successes.
• We take the time to build a relationship with our customers and make sure we are producing and delivering the best products specific to your needs.

PHYSICAL AND/OR MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Work in an environment where there can be medium to loud noise and cold temperatures.
• Frequent stand and walk, and use of hands, fingers, and arms to pull, reach, twist, and lift. Ability to sit and use a computer as needed.
• Will spend most of the day standing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, twisting, or crawling.
• Ability to talk or hear instructions over machinery, equipment, and other processing equipment.
• A fast-paced environment that requires high attention to detail and minimal down time.
• Occasional lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as buckets, boxes, pails, etc. Lifting requirement: Must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs. independently.
• Other duties as assigned requiring repetitive tasks, duties, or assignments.
• Work flexible/varying schedules to support the team and deadlines.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• You may occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts, extreme cold, and vibration. Exposure to smell of cleaning products and agents for the sanitation of equipment and machinery regularly.
• Wear appropriate personal protection equipment and adhere to dress code as outlined for working in a food manufacturing facility.
• Cannot be allergic to fruit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants must be fully authorized to work in the U.S. and physically be in the U.S.

Wawona Frozen Foods is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected factor.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

NOTICE TO RECRUITERS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, AND/OR VENDORS

Please note that Wawona Frozen Foods does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or vendors. Without a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Wawona Frozen Foods will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without Wawona Frozen Foods' authorization, Wawona Frozen Foods is without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Wawona Frozen Foods. Verbal commitments from any Wawona Frozen Food employees will not be considered binding terms. This applies to all Wawona Frozen Foods locations and offices. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiters and vendors to know this policy.