2nd Shift- Thermo Processing Operator

Kent Quality Foods; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Shift differential

Job summary

Kent Quality Foods is seeking a Thermo Processing Operator for the Leonard facility. This 2nd shift role focuses on chilling, handling, documenting, and maintaining product quality to meet food safety and sanitation standards.

You will operate ovens and chillers, monitor for quality, calibrate probes, and assist with sanitation. Candidates should be detail-oriented, capable of reading schedules, and comfortable using digital control systems in a refrigerated environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, leads, supervisors and management.
• Ability to read and understand production schedules.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Comfort using computers and digital control systems after training.
• Willingness to complete required training (DDC, HACCP, lockout/tagout, food safety, hazmat).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe, sanitary, quality-focused work.
• Ability to stand, walk for extended periods, work in refrigerated environment, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Chill products according to specifications and quality standards.
• Load and unload ovens and chillers while maintaining workflow.
• Monitor product for quality or safety concerns and notify lead/manager.
• Assist with probe calibration and chiller documentation.
• Follow sanitation procedures and proper use of sanitation equipment.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and sanitized.
• Assist with cart washing, stick barrels, oven cleaning, and other thermal processing tasks.
• Follow SOPs, food safety processes, safety, and sanitation standards.

Skills

Communication

Schedule reading

Math skills

Writing clearly

Computers & control systems

Willingness to train

Attention to detail

Cold environment stamina

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Job description

Kent Quality Foods, a premier manufacturer of specialty meat products, is seeking a Thermo Processing Operator for our Leonard facility. We are a well-established business with almost seven decades of success, and even if you do not know our name, you will surely know our products.

As an RTE Thermo Processing Operator you will help ensure products are properly chilled, handled, documented, and maintained according to established food safety, quality, sanitation, and operational standards. This role is a great fit for someone who takes pride in doing things the right way, enjoys hands-on production work, and wants to be part of a team that values safety, quality, and reliability.

What You'll Do

• Chill all products according to established specifications and quality standards.
• Load and unload ovens and chillers while maintaining an efficient workflow throughout the day.
• Monitor product for potential quality or safety concerns, including discoloration, spacing issues, mislabeled product, or product contacting the floor, and notify the department lead or manager immediately.
• Assist with probe calibration and chiller check documentation as needed.
• Follow established sanitation procedures, including proper use of sanitizer, hand soap, water hoses, and sanitation equipment.
• Keep assigned work areas clean, organized, and sanitized throughout the shift.
• Assist with cart washing, stick barrels, oven cleaning, and other Thermal processing tasks as required.
• Follow applicable SOPs, food safety processes, employee safety requirements, and sanitation standards.

What We're Looking For

• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, department peers, leads, supervisors, and management.
• Ability to read and understand production schedules.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to write clearly, concisely, and in a timely manner.
• Comfort using computers and digital control systems after training.
• Willingness to complete required training, including DDC, HACCP documentation, lockout/tagout, food safety, and hazardous materials training.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe, sanitary, and quality-focused work.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, work in a refrigerated production environment, and consistently lift, push, pull up to 50 lbs to perform duties.

Why Join Kent Quality Foods?

At Kent Quality Foods, every team member contributes to producing safe, high-quality food products. This is a 2nd shift position, Monday through Friday, with shifts beginning at 5:00pm and averaging 8-12 hours per day. Occasional Saturday work may be required based on facility needs.

Starting pay rate of $18.25 per hour, plus a $3 per hour shift differential. Eligible for attendance bonus valued at $1 per hour. Kent Quality Foods offers a competitive benefits package including comprehensive health benefits and retirement benefits.