Production and Assembly/Packaging

Leads production lines and their daily operations to ensure production goals are met or exceeded and the on-time delivery of products (may be assigned to any production line as needed). Reviews BPICs, prints BOM, and keeps product specifications and formulas on hand for reference and ensures compliance for each scheduled product. Ensures needed ingredients/materials are delivered prior to and during operation runs. Lifts and mixes ingredients and prepares fillings and sauces following BOM, HACCP, SSOPs, GMP, and USDA regulations as assigned (may lift items up to 50 pounds and engage in strenuous mixing of ingredients). Assists assembly/packaging line workers, as assigned or needed. Sets up and operates equipment prior to production to ensure they are functioning properly, may assist Production Supervisor in determining optimum layout of machines to meet production goals.

Coordination of Work Assignments

Reviews operator assignments and ensures they are at designated stations on time and ready for work. Assists Production Supervisor in resolving operator assignment issues. Manages station breaks/rotation schedules.

Equipment Troubleshooting

Conducts initial troubleshooting, corrects minor problems, and notifies appropriate personnel of problems cannot correct. Assists in resolving any issues involving production (e.g. downtime, staffing, quality, maintenance, safety).

Safety

Ensures assigned production team(s) are aware of and adhere to the plant's safety guidelines, policies, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Maintenance Food Safety Program, promotes a safe work environment and implements safety initiatives as directed. Assists in accident investigations and the resolution of issues.

Control Costs

Recommends measures to improve routine maintenance, production efficiencies, operational effectiveness, equipment performance, and safety in all assigned areas and shifts. Completes production runs in a timely manner meeting or exceeding pre-established deadlines to reduce downtime and meet production goals. Recommend measures to improve production efficiencies, operational effectiveness, and equipment performance.

Training & Development

Assigns new operators to experienced operators who are responsible for training personnel on specific equipment and/or machines.

Product Quality

Ensures QA and USDA guidelines, policies, procedures, and standards are met or exceeded by implementing and reinforcing quality initiatives. Stops production line, if necessary to ensure compliance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. Conducts HACCP, metal detector, and quality inspections and completes HACCP, SSOP, and other forms. Follows established reporting procedures, if foreign object is detected in product.

Production Reporting

Records detailed downtime information with root cause analysis on appropriate forms. Ensures daily, weekly, and monthly records are accurately maintained.

Quality

Interprets and takes ownership of GMPs and food safety company standards. Must be able to provide recall information for raw material usage as well as disposals. Coordinate with Quality Assurance on any product placed or released from hold status, raw materials as well as finished product. Participate in the QRMP yearly audit and assist in the development of procedures and corrective actions. Accountable for the QRMP (Quality Risk Management Process) system and operational standards as outlined in the plant accountability list in order to achieve targeted RCR.

Manufacturing Playbook

Participates in the implementation of the factory's playbook , especially in the pillar assigned to the department, to ensure successful completion of all checklist items/actions within the playbook.

The preceding functions have been provided as representative of the types of work performed by the employees assigned to this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify change or rescind the work assignments of this and different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

The Lead Operator A - Heavy must possess knowledge of and understand the following within the first 90 days on the job:

• Best practices relating to the start up, setup, and operation of machines and equipment on production lines to which assigned.
• Daily production schedules and goals.
• Skills and abilities of Operators on assigned shift(s) and lines and their work hours.
• Plant's safety and quality guidelines, policies, procedures, environmental regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Maintenance Food Safety Program.
• How to interpret and use product specifications and formulas, BPICs, BOM, HACCP, SSOP and USDA regulations.
• Conditions that warrant stopping a production line and the process for doing so.

• Process for ordering needed ingredients/materials.
• Process for conducting HACCP, metal detector, and quality inspections.
• Basic troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Quality improvement strategies and methods.
• How to complete appropriate quality forms.
• Proper recording of downtime.
• Proper reporting procedures.
• Assembly/packing processes and procedures.

The incumbent must be able to learn the following within 6 months on the job:

• Basic materials flow and physical layout of machines.
• HACCP, SSOPs, GMPs, and USDA regulations.
• Basic coaching and one-on-one training processes.

The Lead Operator A - Heavy must possess the following skills within the first 90 days on the job:

• Lead teams of co-workers in completing production runs in a timely manner meeting or exceeding pre-established deadlines while complying with safety and quality standards.
• Assign Operators, manage breaks, and ensure lower level Operators are properly trained.
• Inspect, set up, reposition, test and operate assigned equipment and most machines, tools, etc. within areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrate proper and safe operation of machines within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Lift and mix ingredients weighing up to 50 pounds in a safe manner.

• Language Skills: Comfortable conversing in intermediate English and/or Spanish (bi-lingual preferred).
• BASIC mathematical skills (i.e., add, subtract, divide, multiply).
• Troubleshoot minor machine/equipment problems and conduct a root cause investigation.
• Assist with accident investigations.
• Conduct various kinds of quality inspections.

• Enter data into forms/computers.

The Lead Operator A - Heavy must possess the following minimal education and experience:

Education and/or Experience

• High School or equivalent required.
• 6 months direct or equivalent experience required.

Preferred

• Six months experience as lead worker or team lead in a food manufacturing operation.

Immediate Supervisor (title): Production Supervisor

Subordinates (titles): None

Other Job Titles Reporting to the Same Immediate Supervisor: Operators A (Heavy & Light), Operators B (Heavy & Light), Packer/Assemblers (Heavy & Light)

The Lead Operator A - Heavy displays the following Winning Work Attributes:

• Treats others with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to change.
• Actively cooperates and encourages cooperation from others.
• Maintains a calm and controlled demeanor, especially in stressful situations.
• Responds resourcefully to change and ambiguity.
• Demonstrates commitment to self improvement.
• Complies with laws and the company's ethical principles.
• Focuses time and energy on established priorities.
• Makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty.
• Takes action and reliably delivers on commitments.
• Allocates time efficiently to meet production goals.
• Effectively balances multiple demands and competing priorities.
• Builds quality into every dimension of work.
• Is accessible and supportive of others.
• Demonstrates awareness of customer needs.
• Strives to achieve quality standards in all work.
• Applies best practices as he/she learns them.

• Is on time at the beginning of work and adheres to breaks and lunch schedules.
• Is thoroughly prepared at the beginning of work.
• Is productive throughout the entire work day or shift.
• Strives to improve his/her job knowledge and job skills.
• Helps others, when help is needed.
• Is a positive team member who supports the company and its initiatives.
• Actively participates in meetings.
• Maintains a positive attitude and builds positive relationships throughout the plant.
• Establishes and maintains positive relationships with vendors and others providing service to the plant.
• Is accurate and attentive to detail.
• Requires minimal supervision.
• Able to multi-task as needed.
• Good communicator.

Incumbents may stand and walk for prolonged periods over the course of 7.5 hours. Positions noted as "Heavy" may be required to repetitive lift and carry heavy equipment, tools, machinery, etc. up to 50 pounds. Routinely work with arms extended in front of the body, usually more than 15" for sustained periods of time. Use considerable force to push/pull heavy carts. Reach, grasp, and perform fine finger manipulation activities (i.e., adjust, calibrate, and operate equipment); Climb ladder and work on elevated platform; routinely bend and twist neck; routinely bend at knees and waist repetitively; requires good vision.

Lead Operator A- Heavy completes work in a large, open, fast-paced food processing facility. Lighting is fluorescent and the floors are concrete with anti fatigue mats. All employees wear protective gear and floors are sanitized. The working areas contain elevated noise levels which require hearing protection. Temperatures vary - can be very hot due to heat from ovens or can be very cold from freezers. It can be humid at times and floors are often wet due to slippery surfaces. Work environment contains moving mechanical parts and vibration and it may be in an elevated working area (mezzanine). Incumbent work near or with hazardous equipment/machinery and may be exposed to gas, dust, and/or fumes.