Associate, Food Production - Hand Packer

KeHE Distributors; Parker (CO); On-site; USD 22,730 - 32,373; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Rx

Vision

FSA/HSA

Dental

Supplemental life insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Paid sick time

STD/LTD

ESOP

Holiday pay

Job summary

KeHE Distributors in Parker, CO is seeking a Machine Operator for food production packaging. You will assist with the setup, operation and maintenance of high-speed packaging machines as part of a collaborative team.

Primary duties include ensuring correct machine assembly, running production sheets, verifying weights and labels, and addressing minor equipment issues to maintain smooth workflow and product quality.

Qualifications

• Must wear mid-rise safety toe shoes from day one.
• Able to lift 10–60 lbs.
• Basic math skills.
• Read, write and understand English.
• Stand for up to 10 hours.
• Hand-eye coordination for fast-paced tasks.
• Self-motivated with high attention to detail.
• Basic ability to operate machinery.

Responsibilities

• Start Up / Change of Product: Ensure high-speed packaging machine is ready for peak performance and obtain run sheets and labels for each production run.
• Product Run / Quality Inspection: Maintain product quality, adjust labels, supervise palletizing and assist with pallet replenishment and waste logging.
• Maintain a consistent workflow, troubleshoot basic mechanical issues during production runs, and support loaders as needed.

Skills

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Basic math

Reading/writing English

Attention to detail

Machinery operation basics

Job description

Overview

Good people, working with good people, for our common good.

KeHE – a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor – is all about “good” and is growing, so there’s never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you’re enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people‑first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we’d love to talk to you!

Shift Details

• Shift Days: Monday to Thursday
• Shift Time: 5:00 AM to 3:30 PM
• Full‑time
• Pay Range: $20.00 /hr – $20.00 /hr

Benefits (after 30 days)

• Health/Rx
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Dental
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short‑term & long‑term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company‑designated holidays

Primary Responsibilities

The Machine Operator/Food Production Packaging is responsible as a team member to assist workers in the set‑up, operation, and maintenance of high‑speed production machines.

Essential Functions

Start Up / Change of Product

• Assure high‑speed packaging machine is correctly assembled and ready to operate at peak performance.
• Obtain production run sheet, metal detector log, label verification sheet and all labels needed for each production run.
• Communicate with team on production run expectations (product, run goals, pallet layers needed, etc.).
• Upload product run information into the Bagger/Scales (product type, weight, bag length, etc.).
• Verify weights/seals on pre‑production run.
• Complete and turn in product run sheets.
• Conduct hourly metal detector checks.
• Change out can liners and log all production waste.

Product Run / Quality Inspection

• Assure the highest possible quality of the product is maintained during production runs.
• Adjust label machines to assure labels are correct and in proper locations.
• Apply hand labels when necessary.
• Change out labels/ink ribbons when needed.
• Coach/assist boxers to conduct detailed quality checks, ensuring seal integrity, proper labels, and removing rejected products.
• Assist boxers with palletizing and replenishing supplies.
• Make any adjustments to the product run when needed.
• Assist loader with rejected materials.
• Maintain a consistent workflow with minimal downtime.
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical issues during production runs.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills & Aptitude

• Requires Mid‑Rise safety toe work shoes/boots on day one.
• Ability to lift products of various weights ranging from 10 lbs to 60 lbs.
• Basic math skills to maintain proper work inventory.
• Read, write and understand the English language.
• Work on your feet for up to 10 hours a day.
• Hand‑eye coordination to perform a variety of fast‑pace tasks.
• Self‑motivated and able to stay on task.High attention to detail.
• Basic ability to operate assigned machinery.

Reports To

High Speed Manager

Backup Report

Lead Trainer

Equal Employer Opportunity Statement

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.