Machine Operator

Summary: 

The Machine Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, adjusting, troubleshooting, and maintaining packaging equipment used in the manufacture and packaging of dry powder products. The role supports safe, efficient, and compliant production operations by ensuring products are packaged according to approved specifications, batch records, work orders, and customer requirements.  

The Machine Operator is responsible for supporting equipment setup, changeovers, line clearances, in-process quality checks, documentation accuracy, and verification of packaging materials, labels, lot numbers, and expiration dates. The position plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), food safety programs, allergen-control procedures, HACCP requirements, USDA/FDA regulations, sanitation standards, and traceability requirements while ensuring product quality and preventing contamination or allergen cross-contact. 

 Responsibilities: 

• Operate, monitor, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain packaging equipment including fillers, hoppers, seamers, labelers, over-cap machines, and box erectors to ensure safe and efficient production operations.  

• Perform equipment setup, line clearance, product changeovers, and start-up verification activities to ensure equipment is properly configured and ready for production.  

• Package milk powder and other dry powder products in accordance with approved batch records, work orders, packaging specifications, customer requirements, and production schedules while complying with FDA, USDA, HACCP, food safety, and cGMP requirements.  

• Verify product weights, lot numbers, expiration dates, labels, packaging materials, package counts, and coding information to ensure product identity, traceability, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.  

• Follow established allergen-control procedures, including proper material identification, segregation, equipment cleaning, line clearance, and changeover requirements to prevent allergen cross-contact and protect product integrity.  

• Maintain complete and accurate production, packaging, quality, downtime, inventory, and traceability documentation and ensure records are completed in real time and according to company requirements.  

• Immediately report and escalate food safety, allergen, quality, equipment, material, safety, or process deviations to supervision and Quality personnel.  

• Safely operate packaging equipment, forklifts, pallet jacks, skyjacks, scanners, and other authorized production equipment while following all required safety procedures and PPE requirements.  

• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary work areas, demonstrate dependable attendance, support overtime requirements when necessary, and perform other duties as assigned.  

• Perform additional duties assigned to support business objectives. 

Safety Responsibilities: 

• Follow all company safety policies and procedures. 

• Participate in required safety training. 

• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, and incidents promptly.  

 Qualifications: 

Education: 

• High school diploma or equivalent required.  

 Experience: 

• 1-2 years of manufacturing experience preferred, preferably in an FDA or USDA regulated environment.  

• Forklift and skyjack operation experience preferred.  

• Food, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, pet nutrition, or other regulated manufacturing experience preferred.  

• Working knowledge of food safety, cGMPs, sanitation, allergen controls, and manufacturing documentation preferred.  

 Skills & Abilities: 

• Ability to read and follow formulas, batch records, SOPs, Work Instructions, and production schedules.   

• Basic mathematical skills required, including weights, measurements, quantities, and inventory verification.   

• Ability to read, write, and understand English and effectively communicate with supervisors and coworkers.   

• Ability to safely operate required production and material-handling equipment after completion of company-required training.   

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.  

• Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb, reach, crouch, and perform other movements necessary to support production operations.   

• Frequently uses hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders to operate equipment, tools, controls, and production materials throughout the shift.   

• Must be able to regularly lift, carry, and/or move materials weighing up to 60 pounds, using appropriate lifting techniques or material-handling assistance when required.   

• Frequently pushes, pulls, carries, positions, or moves raw materials, finished products, packaging materials, pallets, and equipment.   

• Ability to safely use ladders, step stools, stairs, and elevated work platforms as required.   

• Requires repetitive hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder movements throughout the shift.   

• Requires sufficient visual attention to inspect products, packaging, labels, lot codes, equipment operation, and production documentation.   

• Ability to hear and respond to equipment alarms, warning devices, and verbal instructions in a manufacturing environment.   

• Ability to work overtime, extended shifts, and weekends based on production and business needs.  

• Work is performed primarily in a manufacturing and warehouse environment.   

• Regular exposure to operating production equipment, moving mechanical components, material-handling equipment, and powered industrial vehicles.   

• Exposure to dust, vibration, and moderate to high noise levels.   

• Required to wear designated PPE, which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hair and beard restraints, safety footwear, and other required protective equipment.   

• Must comply with applicable safety, quality, sanitation, food safety, allergen-control, and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.   

 

The pay range for this role considers a wide range of factors including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographical location, and other organizational needs.

 

The estimated pay range for this role is $17.82/hr. Min to $26.73/hr. Max per year.

 

Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in a bonus program associated with this specific role.