Blending & Cooking Operator (1st shift & 2nd shift)

QPS Employment Group; Town of Ixonia (WI); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

QPS Employment Group is seeking a Blender / Cooking Operator in Ixonia, Wisconsin. The role supports food manufacturing operations on 1st or 2nd shift, with hours 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Wage ranges from $21.50 to $23.50 per hour depending on experience and shift availability.

The operator will mix, measure, and blend ingredients per formulas and batch schedules, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or preferred.
• 1+ years experience in food manufacturing or related environments.
• Ability to read recipes, formulas, batch records and SOPs.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, monitor, and adjust industrial blenders and mixers.
• Follow recipes and production schedules to manufacture foods accurately.
• Perform start-up, shutdown, changeovers, and line clearances per SOPs.
• Monitor blending times, temperatures, and ingredient ratios.
• Weigh and add ingredients according to batch sheets.
• Verify ingredient identities, lot codes, and quantities before processing.
• Document production data and quality checks; report deviations.
• Maintain GMP and HACCP compliance and wear required PPE.

Skills

Attention to detail

Reading recipes

Basic math

Mechanical aptitude

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift certification

Job description

Position Title: Blender / Cooking Operator - 1st or 2nd Shift. Wage: $21.50 - $23.50/hour. Shift: 1st or 2nd. Hours: 3:00pm - 11:00pm or 3:0pm - 11:00pm. QPS Employment Group is hiring a Blender / Cooking Operator for a company in Ixonia, WI.

This is an associate to hire opportunity on 1st or 2nd shift.

Position Summary

The Food Blender Operator is responsible for accurately preparing, measuring, mixing, and blending ingredients according to established formulas, recipes, and production schedules in a food manufacturing environment. This role operates and monitors industrial blending and mixing equipment, ensures product quality and consistency, maintains food safety standards, and supports overall production efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, monitor, and adjust industrial blenders, mixers, batch processors, and related production equipment
• Follow detailed formulas, recipes, work orders, and production schedules to manufacture food products accurately
• Perform equipment start-up, shutdown, changeovers, and line clearances according to standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Monitor blending times, ingredient ratios, temperatures, and product consistency throughout the process
• Accurately measure, weigh, stage, and add raw materials and ingredients according to batch sheets and specifications
• Verify ingredient identities, lot codes, and quantities before processing
• Maintain batch accuracy while minimizing material waste
• Conduct in-process quality checks to ensure product consistency, texture, color, and specification compliance
• Document production data, quality checks, deviations, and corrective actions
• Report quality concerns to supervisors and Quality Assurance personnel
• Adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP requirements, food safety regulations, and company policies
• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and maintain a safe work environment
• Follow allergen control, sanitation, and contamination prevention procedures
• Perform routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance on blending equipment
• Identify mechanical, operational, or process issues and take corrective action when appropriate
• Partner with maintenance teams to minimize downtime and maintain production schedules
• Clean, sanitize, and prepare blending equipment, containers, and work areas according to sanitation procedures
• Complete required sanitation documentation and compliance records
• Monitor ingredient inventory levels and communicate shortages or discrepancies
• Safely move ingredients, raw materials, and finished products using appropriate material handling equipment
• Support inventory accuracy and proper ingredient rotation (FIFO)
• Work closely with Production Supervisors, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams
• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, safety, and production efficiency

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• 1+ years of experience in food manufacturing, food processing, batch mixing, blending, machine operation, or industrial production environments
• Ability to read and follow recipes, formulas, batch records, SOPs, and production instructions
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality
• Basic math skills for weighing, measuring, and calculating ingredient quantities
• Ability to accurately complete production and quality documentation
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating industrial blenders, ribbon mixers, paddle mixers, V-blenders, or batch processing equipment
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, SQF, FDA, or USDA food safety requirements
• Forklift certification or material handling experience
• Experience working in high-volume food manufacturing environments

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds regularly
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform repetitive motions throughout a shift
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Ability to wear PPE and other required safety equipment

Work Environment

• Food manufacturing and production facility
• Exposure to varying temperatures, food ingredients, noise, dust, and production equipment
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and various shifts as production demands require

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.