2nd Shift- Thermo Processing Operator

Kent Quality Foods Inc; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 30,307 - 33,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Shift differential

Attendance bonus

Job summary

Kent Quality Foods seeks a Thermo Processing Operator for our Leonard facility. This role supports chilling, handling, documenting, and maintaining safety, quality, and sanitation standards on a 2nd shift.

You will read schedules, monitor for quality, calibrate probes, assist with sanitation, and work with digital control systems after training. Starting pay is $18.25/hr plus a $3/hr shift differential; attendance bonus $1/hr; comprehensive benefits provided.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate with team members, leads, and management.
• Ability to read and understand production schedules.
• Basic math skills for daily tasks.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Comfort using computers and digital control systems after training.
• Willingness to complete required training (HACCP, lockout/tagout, etc.).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe, sanitary, quality work.

Responsibilities

• Chill products according to specifications and quality standards.
• Load and unload ovens and chillers while maintaining workflow.
• Monitor quality and safety concerns; notify lead/manager.
• Assist with probe calibration and chiller documentation.
• Follow sanitation procedures and use equipment properly.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and sanitized.
• Assist with thermal processing tasks as required.
• Follow SOPs and safety standards.

Skills

Communication

Reading schedules

Math basics

Writing clearly

Computer literacy

Training willingness

Attention to detail

Tools

Digital control systems

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 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.