The Van Drunen Family of Companies is growing!

1st Shift - 7AM - 3:30PM - M-F

JOB OVERVIEW:

The Senior Operator regularly, effectively, and efficiently supports a production area and performs tasks to prepare food production runs following established safety, quality and production standards for drying, freezing, dry processing, wet processing, sifting, grinding, boxing, re-boxing and packaging.  The processes and tasks include disassembling, assembling, sanitizing, transporting, loading, unloading, and setting-up materials, supplies and equipment as well as assisting in the tending of various machines used throughout the production process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support work functions in an area working independently or with operators and production workers.
• Frequently works independently without supervisor oversight and guidance.
• Support peers, operators, and production workers as a positive team member.
• Communicate professionally to ensure all tasks are completed correctly.
• Reports issues with safety, quality, operational procedures, or HR concerns appropriately to the person in charge.  Identifies opportunities for improvement.  Reminds peers of the correct procedures and reports non-compliance.
• Arrive on time to work and when returning from breaks.  Maintain an excellent attendance record.  Prepare ahead to ensure items are ready for the next shift.  Take ownership over production demands and works the necessary hours to meet production goals.
• Work with supervisor to address attendance issues or issues with punctuality.
• Ensure quick start-ups and efficiency during production time.  Understand the production schedule.
• Respond to management instructions, make excellent decisions, and complete tasks on time.  Remain actively involved in learning.
• Liaison with other departments occasionally to make decisions regarding equipment operation that may improve efficiency, quality, or safety.
• Responsible for training new staff within a work area to ensure adequate learning of all procedures.   Keep others up-to-date on new procedures. 
• Start up and operate equipment in a safe and responsible manner.  Move and set up equipment when necessary.  Perform minor equipment adjustments as needed during production runs.
• Follow all General Manufacturing Procedures (GMP's) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) while working. This includes wearing masks, safety glasses, protective equipment, ear plugs, etc. Remind co-workers of these expectations. 
• Actively identify and report issues with product quality or handling.  Complete all training required for these procedures.
• Perform Critical Control Point (CCP) checks and verifications during production processes.  Ensure all checks are done properly. 
• Follow all required safety standards and participate actively with training to ensure the safety of self and of co-workers.
• Report all safety issues using a computer program and participate in safety audits.
• Know the required Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) procedures.  Participate in all LOTO procedures in a work area.  Understand LOTO procedures throughout the plant.  Verify others in a work area follow all LOTO procedures.  Immediately stop any improper LOTO procedures.
• Responsible for completing extensive cleaning and sanitation procedures for production equipment using cleaning chemicals, pressure hoses and other standard cleaning tools.
•  Responsible for completing weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cleaning tasks according to a schedule.
•  Lead pre-shift meetings and safety stretches.
• Able and available to work overtime as required in order to meet production goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB EXPERIENCE:

• At least 1 year of previous production experience required or equivalent combination of related experience, education, and training. 
• Previous forklift experience a plus.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Basic writing/reading skills preferred.  Basic computer skills and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) scanner or desktop use may be required in certain plants or work areas.
• Create shift reports, record documentation, and internal communication documents.  Analyze basic data to communicate performance using charts and graphs. 
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Count items and report weights accurately.  This position requires the employee to count, track, and make adjustments to inventory in a work area.

EDUCATION:

•   Forklift certification may be required. Education and certification will be provided as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing, walking, using hands and arms to feel and reach. 
• Ability to walk up and down stairs and ramps.
• Ability to climb ladders.
• Regularly or routinely lifting or handling boxes/bags/equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Routinely bending, stooping, and kneeling. 
• Regularly pushing or pulling sizeable equipment from a standing position.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Use of personal protective equipment including respirators, hearing protection, eye protection, and head protection.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must be able to work in a dusty, cold, hot, humid, wet, loud, or outdoor work environment depending on the assigned work area.
• Primarily works in a production environment with minimal administrative duties.  

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and technical skills required of personnel so classified. 

In the Van Drunen Family of Companies, commitment to excellence is in everything we do! As a global ingredient and nutritional supplement supplier to the world’s best companies, we thrive on nourishing others with our products and our care for people. If you are looking to make an impact and grow with a family-friendly, values-driven company, you'll fit right in with the Van Drunen Family of Companies!

We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion.  Our employees are the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, creativity, innovation, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our Company’s achievement as well.

The Van Drunen Family of Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected].

Van Drunen Family of Companies does not accept unsolicited resumes.  Any resumes, CV’s, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a submitted request and written search agreement for a position-specific requisition will be deemed the sole property of Van Drunen Family of Companies and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by our Company.