Senior Operator

FMC of Canada Limited / FMC Canada Limitee; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

FMC of Canada Limited is seeking a Senior Production Operator for the Calgary Plant. You will oversee and perform manufacturing activities, mentor junior operators, and support continuous improvements to meet safety and quality standards.

Key duties include setting up lines for campaigns, troubleshooting equipment, and coordinating maintenance with other teams to minimize downtime. You will lead preventive maintenance planning and ensure accurate documentation for audits.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing environments, especially agricultural/chemical sectors.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and process issues.
• Leadership skills to mentor junior operators and lead maintenance coordination.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safe, efficient manufacturing operations and ensure quality standards.
• Set up and adjust lines for campaign changes and maintenance readiness.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and coordinate repairs with maintenance/engineering.

Skills

Production operations

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

SAP PM

Tools

SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM)

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Senior Production Operator

Location: Calgary Plant

JOB SUMMARY Oversee and Perform manufacturing or production activities that ensure products are produced safely, efficiently and according to site quality standards. This role combines hands‑on operational expertise with leadership responsibilities, including mentoring junior operators, troubleshooting equipment issues, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and support safe, efficient manufacturing operations to ensure agricultural herbicide products are produced in accordance with safety, quality, environmental, and production requirements.
• Set up, dismantle, and reconfigure packaging and production lines for campaign changeovers, ensuring equipment is properly prepared, validated, and ready for operation.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and isolate equipment malfunctions and process failures, coordinating repair activities with Maintenance, Engineering, and Production teams to minimize downtime.
• Manage and optimize preventive maintenance (PM) activities, including planning, scheduling, execution, and documentation to maximize equipment reliability and production effectiveness.
• Serve as the site lead for PM management within SAP, ensuring maintenance work orders, PM schedules, equipment records, and completion data are accurately maintained and continuously improved.
• Train and mentor production operators on routine preventive maintenance tasks, basic equipment troubleshooting, safe operating procedures, and best manufacturing practices.
• Monitor production processes and make necessary operational adjustments to maintain product quality, throughput, and compliance with established manufacturing standards.
• Package agricultural herbicides using semi-automated filling, sealing, labeling, and packaging equipment, ensuring accuracy, quality, and adherence to customer specifications.
• Prepare packaging materials and production areas for manufacturing campaigns, including labeling bags, boxes, and other packaging components required for production runs.
• Communicate equipment, safety, quality, and production concerns to Production Supervisors and site leadership, ensuring timely resolution of issues that could impact business performance.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities focused on safety, equipment reliability, efficiency, waste reduction, cost savings, and overall operational excellence.
• Reduce and effectively manage planned and unplanned downtime by coordinating maintenance activities, troubleshooting recurring issues, and supporting root cause investigations.
• Maintain accurate production and maintenance documentation, ensuring compliance with company procedures, regulatory requirements, and audit standards.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Operations teams to drive equipment performance, support plant objectives, and achieve key performance indicators.
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture by adhering to all site safety procedures, participating in safety initiatives, and identifying and mitigating workplace hazards.

LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING SKILLS

• Ability to mentor, coach, and train production operators on preventive maintenance tasks, equipment operation, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Demonstrated leadership in coordinating production and maintenance activities to achieve operational goals.
• Strong team collaboration skills with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Operations personnel.
• Ability to lead by example and promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Effective decision-making skills in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing, packaging, and production processes within a chemical, agricultural, or industrial environment.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and semi-automated packaging equipment.
• Experience assembling, operating, dismantling, and reconfiguring production and packaging lines during product changeovers.
• Preventive Maintenance (PM) planning, scheduling, execution, and optimization.
• Working knowledge of SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM) for maintenance planning, work order management, equipment history, and reporting.
• Ability to perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve equipment reliability.
• Understanding of equipment reliability, downtime reduction strategies, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Proficiency in operating filling, sealing, labeling, conveying, and packaging systems.
• Experience with lockout/tagout (LOTO), isolation procedures, and equipment safety protocols.
• Ability to read and interpret operating procedures, technical manuals, equipment drawings, and maintenance documentation.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prepare reports, maintain production records, and communicate shift handovers effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with operations, maintenance, quality, and management teams.
• Industrial/ manufacturing experience desirable.
• Must be able to effectively read, write, and speak English.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instruction and procedure manuals.
• Ability to operate machines with instruction.
• Ability to use a variety of hand tools.
• Ability to work in team environment with little or no supervision.
• Ability to carry out detailed written or oral instruction with limited supervision.
• Functional understanding of metric system.
• Ability to lead by example and promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Effective decision-making skills in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Moderate to strenuous daily physical activity. Sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, twisting, climbing ladders and fine finger movements are all part of daily activities. Ability to lift material/product weighing up to 23 kg (50 pounds) and/or move material/product weighing various amounts, using mechanical handling devices or team assistance given with heavier objects/awkward lifts. Repeated bending to lift and carry material. May perform variety of processes requiring repetitive arm and wrist movements. Ability to work in high production work area. Constant mental and visual attention required. Must wear protective clothing in specific work areas. Mandatory required PPE; Steel toed boots, safety goggles, hard hat, reflective clothing, safety gloves. Must have the ability to wear a respirator and must be clean shaven. No jewelry allowed in production area due to certain equipment (i.e. induction sealer). Morning stretching exercises recommended.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Well-lighted, heated production area with adequate ventilation. Noise levels below 85dc from machinery, sealers and forklifts. Daily use of ladders. Normal working hours are 0730 to 1800, 4 shifts per week. Opportunity for overtime.

SENSORY ATTENTION

General vision and hearing senses required. Color recognition is essential. Fine motor skills and hand - eye coordination necessary for labeling tasks. Ability to keep pace with fast working equipment.

MENTAL STRESS

Deadline pressures, machine paced. Repetitive work. Constant attention required for quality of work as well as safety.

DISCLAIMER

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

FMC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Employment decisions at FMC are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We value diversity and strive to ensure that our hiring and employment practices support a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

At FMC Corporation we are guided by our purpose: Innovation for agriculture, Solutions for the planet. We are dedicated to providing farmers with innovative solutions that increase the productivity and resilience of their land. From our industry-leading pipeline to novel biologicals and precision technologies, we are passionate about the power of science to solve agriculture’s biggest challenges.