2nd Shift Cooler Associate

Paycom - ATS; Montgomery City (CA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Paycom - ATS is seeking a Cooler & Smoker Associate to join our production team in a refrigerated facility. You will handle cooling and smoking steps, record temperatures, and ensure accurate labeling and traceability of products.

The role emphasizes safety, GMP compliance, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment. Prior warehouse or production experience is preferred and training is provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous manufacturing, production, warehouse, or related experience preferred.
• Ability to read production documents, labels, and SOPs.
• Ability to follow FIFO inventory rotation requirements.
• Ability to identify damaged, mislabeled, or non-conforming products and report concerns.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload smokehouses according to production schedules.
• Safely transfer products between designated production areas.
• Monitor temperatures during cooling and smoking processes.
• Record temperatures and required production data accurately.
• Report deviations to supervisors and quality personnel promptly.
• Label, identify, and maintain traceability of products.
• Maintain clean, organized storage and production areas.
• Operate pallet jacks and other equipment after training.
• Follow SOPs, GMP, HACCP, and safety procedures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED preferred

Tools

Pallet jack

RF scanners

Barcode scanners

Forklift

Inventory systems

Digital thermometers

Job description

The Cooler & Smoker Associate is responsible for the safe processing, cooling, smoking, handling, movement, storage, and staging of food products in accordance with established production schedules, work instructions, and food safety requirements.This position works closely with the Cooler & Smoker Lead and Supervisor to ensure products are properly processed, cooled, smoked, labeled, identified, stored, rotated, and transferred while maintaining accurate production and traceability records.The Cooler & Smoker Associate is expected to work safely and efficiently in refrigerated and temperature-changing environments while maintaining compliance with GMP, HACCP, SQF, applicable USDA requirements, allergen control, food defense, food fraud prevention, sanitation procedures, workplace safety requirements, and company policies.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSLoad and unload industrial smokehouses according to established production schedules and procedures.Safely transfer products between Kitchen, Smokehouse, Cooler, Warehouse, Repack, and other designated production areas.Monitor product temperatures during cooling, smoking, storage, and product handling processes as required.Follow established cooling procedures, time and temperature requirements, and product handling instructions.Accurately record product temperatures, cooling information, and required production data.Immediately report temperature deviations or other processing concerns to the Cooler & Smoker Lead, Supervisor, and/or Quality personnel.Label finished and in-process products accurately.Verify product names, lot numbers, labels, dates, and other required product identification.Maintain product identification and traceability throughout processing, cooling, storage, and transfer.Rotate inventory according to FIFO (First In, First Out) requirements.Stage finished products in designated locations for shipping or additional processing.Safely organize and store products in designated Cooler and production locations.Complete required production paperwork accurately and timely.Perform required product and quality checks.Inspect products for damage, defects, contamination, incorrect labeling, or other non-conforming conditions.Immediately notify the Lead, Supervisor, and/or Quality personnel of food safety, quality, or product concerns.Assist with daily inventory counts and product verification.Maintain clean, organized, and clearly identified storage and production areas.Operate hand pallet jacks and other approved material-handling equipment as trained and authorized.Safely move product racks, carts, pallets, and other materials.Operate forklifts only when properly trained, certified, and authorized by the Company.Follow production schedules, work instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and supervisor direction.Perform required pre-operational equipment and work-area inspections.Report damaged, malfunctioning, or unsafe equipment immediately.Clean workstations, equipment, racks, carts, and assigned production areas throughout the shift.Assist with cleaning and sanitation during product changeovers and as required.Maintain department housekeeping standards throughout the shift.Follow all applicable sanitation procedures.Work safely around smokehouses, cooling systems, forklifts, pallet jacks, racks, carts, and other production equipment.Participate in required safety, food safety, quality, and departmental training.Support departmental continuous improvement efforts.Cross-train in other production areas when required.Assist in training new employees when requested by management.Perform additional duties as assigned based on operational and production needs.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESThis position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.Cooler & Smoker Associates are expected to:Work cooperatively with coworkers and other departments.Accept work direction from Leads, Supervisors, and management.Assist in training new employees when requested.Demonstrate positive work habits, professionalism, dependability, teamwork, and accountability.Communicate production, food safety, quality, equipment, and workplace safety concerns promptly.EQUIPMENT OPERATEDEquipment may include:Industrial smokehousesCooling racksHand pallet jacksElectric pallet jacks, if trained and authorizedHand trucksProduct carts and racksTemperature probesDigital thermometersRF scannersFloor scalesBarcode printersLabel printersHandheld scannersCleaning and sanitation equipmentForklifts, if trained, certified, and authorizedOther production and material-handling equipment as trained and authorizedWORK ENVIRONMENTThis position works in a food manufacturing environment that may include:Refrigerated environments generally maintained at approximately 34°F–40°F.Exposure to hot smokehouse equipment.Frequent transitions between refrigerated and warmer production areas.Wet or slippery production floors.Loud manufacturing and production environments.Food ingredients and allergens.Approved cleaning and sanitation chemicals.Moving forklifts, pallet jacks, racks, carts, and other production equipment.Frequent walking throughout production, cooler, and storage areas.Required PPE may include hairnets, beard nets, gloves, hearing protection, safety glasses, slip-resistant footwear, and other company-designated PPE.ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.Standing: Constant — up to 8–10 hours per shift.Walking: Constant — throughout the shift.Lifting/Carrying: Frequent — up to 50 pounds.Pushing/Pulling: Frequent — up to 150 pounds with appropriate equipment.Bending/Stooping: Frequent — as production requires.Squatting/Kneeling: Frequent — as production requires.Twisting: Frequent — as production requires.Reaching: Frequent, including above shoulder level as production requires.Hand/Finger Dexterity: Constant — grasping, handling, equipment operation, documentation, and repetitive motion.SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIESFollow all company safety policies and procedures.Wear required PPE at all times.Follow lockout/tagout procedures when applicable and only when properly trained and authorized.Operate equipment only when properly trained and authorized.Never bypass machine guards, safety devices, or established safety procedures.Immediately report unsafe conditions and behaviors.Immediately report workplace injuries, incidents, spills, and near misses.Participate in required safety meetings and training.Maintain clean and organized work areas.Follow safe lifting, material handling, and equipment operating practices.Support a culture of safety throughout the department.FOOD SAFETY & QUALITY RESPONSIBILITIESFollow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).Comply with applicable HACCP procedures.Support SQF certification and food safety system requirements.Follow applicable USDA requirements and established company procedures.Follow allergen control procedures.Support Food Defense requirements.Support Food Fraud Prevention programs.Follow established time and temperature control procedures.Prevent product contamination and allergen cross-contact.Maintain accurate production, temperature, labeling, and traceability records.Maintain product identification and traceability throughout the manufacturing process.Follow FIFO inventory rotation requirements.Immediately report actual or potential food safety and quality concerns.Follow sanitation procedures before, during, and after production.Protect product safety, quality, and integrity throughout processing, storage, and transfer.ATTENDANCE & PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONSRegular and dependable attendance and punctuality are essential functions of this position.Cooler & Smoker Associates are expected to:Maintain dependable attendance and punctuality.Report to work prepared and ready to begin at the scheduled start time.Follow assigned production schedules and work instructions.Meet established productivity and quality expectations.Maintain accurate production and food safety documentation.Follow all company policies and procedures.Work cooperatively with coworkers, Leads, Supervisors, and other departments.Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and respect.Maintain a positive attitude and willingness to learn.Participate in cross-training as required.Support continuous improvement efforts.Work overtime, weekends, additional scheduled hours, or other shifts when required by business and production needs.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSHigh school diploma or GED preferred.Previous manufacturing, production, warehouse, or related experience preferred.Basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills.Ability to read and understand production documents, work instructions, labels, lot numbers, temperature records, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).Ability to accurately record product temperatures and required production information.Ability to follow established cooling, smoking, product handling, labeling, and storage procedures.Ability to maintain product identification and traceability.Ability to follow FIFO inventory rotation requirements.Ability to recognize damaged, mislabeled, or potentially non-conforming products and report concerns promptly.Ability to safely operate pallet jacks and other approved material-handling equipment after training.Ability to work independently while effectively participating as part of a production team.Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.Strong attention to detail.Dependable attendance and punctuality.Ability to work for extended periods in refrigerated environments.Ability to work around hot smokehouse equipment and changing temperatures.Ability to wear required PPE.Ability to work overtime, weekends, additional scheduled hours, or other shifts as required by business needs.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSPrevious food manufacturing or food processing experience.Experience working in refrigerated food production or warehouse environments.Smokehouse, cooler, or temperature-controlled food processing experience.Pallet jack or material-handling equipment experience.Forklift experience or certification.Knowledge of GMP and food safety practices.HACCP or SQF experience.Experience monitoring and documenting product temperatures.Experience with product identification and lot traceability.Previous experience with FIFO inventory rotation.Experience using RF scanners, barcode scanners, or inventory systems.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIESStrong attention to detail.Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.Effective teamwork and cooperation.Good verbal communication skills.Basic mathematical skills.Basic problem-solving ability.Strong organizational skills.Ability to accurately complete production and temperature documentation.Ability to recognize and report food safety, quality, safety, or equipment concerns.Understanding of product identification and traceability.Ability to follow FIFO inventory practices.Ability to work safely around industrial food processing equipment.Ability to maintain clean and organized work areas.Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.Commitment to workplace safety, food safety, and product quality.Ability to work independently with minimal supervision after appropriate training.Willingness to learn new tasks and cross-train in other production areas.PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONSQualified employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:Standing for up to 8–10 hours per shift.Constantly walking throughout production, cooler, and storage areas.Frequently lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds.Frequently pushing or pulling up to 150 pounds using appropriate equipment.Frequently bending, stooping, twisting, squatting, and kneeling.Frequently reaching, including above shoulder level as production requires.Constantly using hands and fingers for grasping, handling, equipment operation, labeling, documentation, and repetitive movements.Working for extended periods in refrigerated environments generally maintained at approximately 34°F–40°F.Working around hot smokehouse equipment and frequent temperature changes.Working around wet floors, food ingredients, allergens, moving equipment, and approved cleaning and sanitation chemicals.