Packaging Operator

JOB PURPOSE:  

Maintain quality and operate packaging equipment and perform all packaging activities associated with 
assigned line. 

DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Package products in bags, boxes, or bulk containers; label and stack on pallets 
  o Stack bags of product weighing up to 50# from between waist and shoulder height to a pallet 
between knee and shoulder height. 
• Maintain product and packaging quality through visually inspecting finished product. 
• Ensure product, bags, wraps, seals, boxes, and pallets meet quality standards. 
• Participates in full facility equipment clean-up between runs, as directed. 
• Accountable for maintaining and sustaining FIFO program. 
• Set up, operate, and perform basic trouble shooting of packaging equipment, to include but no limited to: 
  o Bemis 1, Bemis 2, Parsons, Jem lines, Palletizers, forklifts, stretch wrappers, scales, metal detectors, 
belts, control panels, labelers, coders, case erectors, trash compactors. 
• Perform QA duties as necessary, to include but not limited to: 
  o Enter data collected from routine checks into IQS software. 
  o Know and monitor HACCP compliance in-Process. 
  o Assist with product changeover, cleaning, and sanitation; perform inspections required before 
product start-up. 
  o Collect finished product samples for product release testing. 
  o Perform verification checks of metal detectors and magnets in area of responsibility as specified in 
Quality Checkpoints. 
  o Immediately communicate Quality concerns to Packaging Lead or Supervisor. 
  o Participate in the 1st article of inspection to ensure food safety and quality. 
• Must complete required paperwork accurately and completely, including simple production reports. 
• Proficiency in Alphia Business Systems (i.e., JDE, IQS, etc.) as it applies to the position. 
• Anticipate technical problems and (when appropriate) proactively troubleshoot and make technical 
adjustments and/or notify Maintenance. 
• Perform operator-level preventive maintenance on assigned equipment. 
• Work with Maintenance and Supervisor to identify potential line improvements. 
• Responsible for technical training/coaching and cross training other plant personnel and new hires. 
• Acknowledge and adhere to the requirement to work only in job-specific designated area. 
• Accountable for personal safety, behavior, and performance. 
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and organized work area and leaving a clean and organized work area 
for the following shift. 
• Responsible for following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Job Safety Analyses (JSA’s), as well 
as following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). 
• Required to notify a supervisor or a lead employee of any situation or observation that may adversely affect 
food safety and/or quality 

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS: 

• Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, and percentages. 
• Basic computer skills. 
• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals. 
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, in written form, and via radio. 
• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner. 
• Ability to obtain Alphia Lock Out / Tag Out certification. 
• Ability to obtain Alphia forklift certification. 
• Ability to multi-task. 

QUALIFICATION 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). 

• Education: High school diploma and/or GED required. 

• Experience: Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.  The phrases “occasionally,” “regularly,” and “frequently” correspond to the following definitions: “occasionally” means up to 25% of working time, “regularly” means between 26 and 75% of working time, and “frequently” means 76% and more of working time.) 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, walk, and move from place to place. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use foot/feet to operate machine, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl or reach above shoulders. The employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or touch. 

The employee must exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.