Responsibilities:

• Collaboration:  Working closely with production staff, supervisors, and other maintenance team members to coordinate maintenance activities and optimize production efficiency.
• Equipment Maintenance:  Conducting regular inspections, troubleshooting, and repairing various machinery such as conveyors, mixers, packaging equipment, to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations.
• Preventive Maintenance:  Developing and implementing preventive maintenance schedules to proactively address potential equipment issues and prevent breakdowns. 
• Emergency Repairs:  Responding promptly to equipment breakdowns and malfunctions to minimize production disruptions and maintain safety standards. 
• Technical Expertise:  Applying mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic knowledge to diagnose and resolve complex equipment problems efficiently. 
• Documentation and Reporting:  Maintaining accurate records of maintenance activities, including repairs, parts used, and equipment condition, to support regulatory compliance and inform decision-making processes. 
• Safety Compliance:  Adhering to safety protocols and regulations while performing maintenance tasks to ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
• Continuous Improvement:  Identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing innovative solutions to enhance equipment performance, reliability, and longevity. 
• Training and Development:  Staying updated on industry trends, new technologies, and best practices through ongoing training and professional development to improve skills and knowledge. 

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED, with preference given to candidates with 2 years of technical or vocational training. 
• At least 2 years of work experience in an automated industrial manufacturing facility, ideally in maintenance-related work with packaging and/or processing equipment. 
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Thorough knowledge of motor controls, sensors, gearboxes, and electrical test equipment. 
• Familiarity with industrial safety, machine safeguarding techniques, and basic industrial math applications. 
• Ability to read schematics, diagrams, and technical manuals. 
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills. 
• Commitment to safety and quality standards. 
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

Responsibilities:

The QA technician is accountable for achieving product quality for each shift to maintain compliance with the daily operating plan, key performance indicators (KPI’s) and all applicable policies, procedures and regulations.

Under general supervision, performs retrieval testing and inspection of product at various stages of the production process.  Compiles and evaluates statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.  Collaborates with others to identify the root cause of consumer complaints and out of line Standard Operating Conditions, aiding in the implementation of the corrective action.

Process & Equipment (Monitors shift/daily product quality requirements):

• Gathers product samples to perform routine and periodic qualitative and periodic quantitative analyses to ensure the product is within specification
• Inputs data into various operating systems including, but not limited to SAP, Excel and Access
• Trends collected data and utilize information to coach operators to operate within control limits
• Calibrates equipment as required to ensure accuracy and maintains lab equipment and general housekeeping of lab
• Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of equipment including, but not limited to, cookers, dryers and packaging equipment

• Assures availability of required materials and supplies
• Monitors equipment settings and makes required adjustments to product specifications
• Initiates product holds process when Quality and Food Safety requirements have not been met and recommends product’s disposition
• Continually monitors all KPI's
• Perform routine quality checks and adjusts to meet set specifications
• Prepares required reports for communications to Quality, operating management and customers
• Lead and/or participate in routine plant inspections, document findings and communicates to management
• Develops customer specific COA’s utilizing SAP
• Performs root cause analysis on out of line SOCs that impact Quality and implement corrective action
• Performs pre and post operational inspections ensuring cleanliness and preparedness for start-up activities
• Performs on the line refresher training of previously administered classroom training as needed

•  Keeps work areas organized and sanitary according to set standards
• Follows standard operating processes and procedures
• Adheres to GMP’s, HACCP, OSHA and company policies and procedures
• Responsible for own personal safety and safety of others in working area

Requirements:   

• This role requires one of the following:
  
  - 2 years' experience in a quality role with a high school degree or equivalent
  - 1 years' experience in a quality role with an Associates degree
  - 6 months' experience in a quality role with a Bachelor or higher degree

•  Able to follow oral and written instructions

Responsibilities:

• Daily assignment and movement of personnel on production lines to effectively use and/or remove labor as production requirements dictate. Maintain effective communication with Scheduling Supervisor, Packaging Manager, Maintenance Supervisor and production labor.
• Communicate daily with Plant Scheduler and Packaging and Warehouse Supervisors and Managers concerning status of assigned packaging lines and upcoming requirements.
• Coordinates packaging supply requirements for assigned lines with Warehouse Manager, Supply Warehouse Supervisor, Plant Scheduler and Supply Operator.
• Assign daily proper cost center placement of labor in time and attendance system.
• Maintain daily shift log for labor and machine utilization reporting and analysis.
• Negotiate labor problem resolutions with Union Steward and Packaging Manager.
• Direct and train personnel on specific line duties, and responsibilities to achieve and maintain proficiency for all job functions. Participate in coordinating and directing standard operating line adjustments and troubleshooting with line operators (i.e. code dates, glue adjustments, rail adjustments, limited changeovers, etc.)
• Direct and train personnel on safety procedures involving specific job duties as well as general plant safety guidelines.
• Maintain strict Sanitation GMP and HACCP procedures and guidelines for assigned areas. Responsible for proper documentation of Master Sanitation Schedules, Food Incident Reports, Magnet Log and other related administrative requirements.
• Oversee rice transfer from Clean Rice and Processing Departments in order to maintain adequate rice supply for packaging schedule.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Supervisors and Manager to ready machinery for scheduled requirements.
• Notifies Maintenance Supervisor, Manager and Plant Scheduler of major machine malfunctions and coordinates the required maintenance with Maintenance Supervisor.
• Compile daily packaging reports (Production & Downtime data) and submit to Packaging Superintendent on a timely basis.
• Monitor product quality (i.e., rice, ingredients, packaging, weight control, etc.). Involves constant communication with QC personnel and line operators.
• Communicate company policy and procedures. Issue disciplinary action for policy non-compliance (i.e. safety procedures, attendance, work rules, job performance, etc.)
• Fill in for absent supervisory personnel as directed by the Packaging Superintendent.
• Maintain a clean work environment with daily sanitation and 5s.
• Conduct safety meetings with employees.

Requirements:   

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrate good mechanical aptitude
• Speak, read, and write English proficiently
• Ability to give direction and provide leadership to team
• Perform math calculations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and understand ratios, timing and speed relationships of equipment
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in decision making
• Ability to climb and work at heights in excess of 100 feet
• Strength and ability to lift and handle objects weighing 50 lbs.
• Ability to work from various positions such as stooping, sitting, bending, etc.
• Eyesight corrected or natural must be sufficient to work safely in daylight or dimly lit conditions
• Hearing corrected or natural must be sufficient to work safely
• Must be able to speak loudly and clearly enough to be heard over normal plant background noise

Equipment Used: (types of equipment / tools or process used)

• PC, RF Scanners, Tablets, HMI’s

• Work scheduled shifts
• Respond to emergency callouts
• Work unscheduled shifts and weekends with minimum notice to cover for absent personnel and accommodate fluctuating manufacturing requirements
• High exposure to noise and seasonal, moderate exposure to heat/cold

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate resources, oversee, and monitor execution of department objectives   
• Ensure compliance with all internal and external procedures and regulations
• Communicate audit findings to Operations Management that accurately report results
• Execute capital and facility improvements, including installation and operation of pilot equipment and full scale retort processing and packaging equipment
• Produce products according to recipes and processes provided; ensure results are properly documented and statistically sound
• Educate and train employees in S,Q,V, C principles and application in role
• Partner with respective departments (e.g. marketing, quality, operations, engineering) to deliver on project commitments
• Plan and schedule employee development activities that are designed to assist employees in meeting performance requirements
• Identify and address employee and HR issues; Maintain general understanding of bargaining agreement
• Coordinate resources, control resource costs in line with operating budget
• Provide input to operating budget
• Operate and adhere to budget standards regarding staffing and overtime costs and materials usage
• Track work area standards to budget and explain variances to plan; Recommend corrective action
• Identify and implement continuous improvement actions and opportunities
• Monitor results against work area goals that have been set for the Quality team
• Analyze processes, systems, equipment and performance trends across work areas
• Recommend actions required to make improvement
  
  

• Prefer candidate with retort experience in a food environment
• Strong technical background with experience in processing of LACF products
• 2-3 years' prior related supervisory experience, preferred in the food industry
• Documented food processing HACCP experience