Hay Equipment and Production Operator

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! We hire right, train smart, empower our employees to make decisions, and provide ample opportunities for growth and ultimate success. 

 

Zen-Noh Hay, Inc. (ZHI) was founded in 1995 to establish a link between the United States and the Japanese livestock farmers who require top quality forage products for their livestock. The combination of our assets provides a growing organization that is celebrating over 25 years of strength and stability!

Join a hands‑on production team where you’ll operate forklifts and hay equipment, support daily hay pressing and cube production, and help maintain a clean, organized workspace. In this role, you’ll learn to identify quality grades and uphold high production standards while keeping safety at the forefront of everything you do.

This job functions as a general operator position that works in various departments as assigned. Responsibilities are ensuring that production and rolling stock equipment are operated safely while maximizing production. In addition to running equipment, this job will perform various duties such as sweeping, cleaning, quality control and other duties assigned by the department supervisor and/or shift lead.

In this job, you will:

Actual responsibilities will vary depending on level of Operator, daily needs and type of facility.

All levels of this job Perform all duties within compliance of OSHA, company safety, and environmental regulations; including wearing appropriate PPE for task being performed.

Level 1; work independently while requiring general direction from department supervisor.

• Cut and remove strings, wrap and straps from bales and prepare or stage for future processing or reprocessing.
• Sweep and clean production areas to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• Perform quality inspections.
• Perform limited equipment operation controls such as starting/stopping equipment, operating control levers or touch screen interactions as instructed.
• Operate forklift to move/stack raw material and finished good bales.
• Inspect production and rolling stock equipment prior to use.
• Other duties as assigned.

Level 2; work independently while requiring direction on highly complex issues and provide guidance to lower level operators.

• Cut and remove strings, wrap and straps from bales and prepare or stage for future processing or reprocessing.
• Sweep and clean production areas to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• Perform quality inspections.
• Inspect production and rolling stock equipment prior to use.
• Fully operate production equipment and/or rolling stock (top pick, loader, telehandler, etc.).
• Ability to lead a shift in the department supervisor’s absence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Level 3; work independently and acts as a Team Leader.  Communicates effectively within department and with local management team.

• Cut and remove strings, wrap and straps from bales and prepare or stage for future processing or reprocessing.
• Sweep and clean production areas to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• Perform product quality inspections.
• Inspect production and rolling stock equipment prior to use.
• Fully operate production equipment and/or rolling stock (top pick, loader, telehandler, etc.).
• Oversee and ensure a safe work environment within their department.
• Mentor and lead team to meet production goals.
• Consistently prevent and solve problems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Here’s what you’ll need to be considered:

Education

Required - High school diploma or equivalent, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

Required – None.

Preferred - 1 years’ experience working in an industrial environment with a dependable work record; Experience in operation of additional various heavy equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of or ability to learn the operation and maintenance of assigned equipment.
• Basic knowledge of or ability to learn the occupational hazards of the work and of necessary safety precautions for the safe operation of assigned equipment.
• Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of people within and outside the organization.
• Ability to identify operating deficiencies and defects, determine necessary corrective measures, and make minor repairs/service assigned equipment.
• Ability to remain focused on exceptional customer service, both internally and externally.
• Ability to safely maneuver equipment in tight spaces.

Here’s additional information you need to know:

Physical Demands & Requirements

Ability to lift/push/pull 70 lbs. consistently.

Ability to climb, crawl, stoop, kneel and balance.

Acutely aware of surroundings with ability to quickly adjust to a signal or change in environment.

Ability to understand and communicate verbally, in person and over two-way radio.

Ability to work outside in extreme weather conditions.

Able to perform work in confined spaces.

Ability to work in an environment with high dust levels around hay.

Ability to meet requirements of PFT and fit testing, when applicable.

Ability to meet requirement of and utilize all applicable PPE, when required; such as approved hard hat, visibility clothing, gloves and substantial footwear; safety glasses and hearing protection required in certain areas.

Ability to work extended hours, weekend, holidays and/or alternate shifts as needed.

Uses peripheral vision and depth perception for tasks being performed.

Environmental Conditions

The work environment described here are meant to be representative of those an employee would normally encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside with exposure to heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. The employee will be exposed to moving mechanical parts and airborne particles.  Frequently required to use personal protective equipment.  Moderate to high noise levels should be expected.

Travel, may be required for off-site trainings.

The expected base pay range for this role is:

$17.13 - $20.39

Actual pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including work location, job-related knowledge, skills and relevant experience for the job. Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.

Are you ready to make a meaningful career move & an impact at ZHI? Apply today!

Known in our industry for stability and high ethics, Zen-Noh Hay, Inc. offers a stellar benefits package including: an outstanding 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions, medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life, & disability benefits, flexible spending accounts, paid leave (holidays, vacation, sick), wellness programs, recognition programs, community involvement opportunities, and much more!

Zen-Noh Hay, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal links in English or Spanish are listed here. Also, we are unable to legally hire anyone who is not eligible to work in the United States nor are we able to sponsor visas.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

All Third Party Agencies, Headhunters, and Recruiters

Zen-Noh Hay, Inc. and its Subsidiaries only forms contracts with recruiters with whom we have an established relationship and with whom we have in place a signed contract. All contact from third parties must go through our Human Resources Department. Any contact made outside of our Human Resources Department by a third party will cancel any future business relationships between the third party and Zen-Noh Hay, Inc. and its Subsidiaries.