Class 6 Machine Operator Level I

Central Garden & Pet; Chilton (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Life & Disability Insurance

3% 401(k) match

Profit sharing bonus

Free uniforms

Onsite fitness center

Wellness clinic

Job summary

Kaytee, a brand of Central Garden & Pet, in Chilton, WI, seeks a production operator on a 4x10 schedule (2:00 PM–12:00 AM, Mon–Thu). Enjoy a clean production environment with comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and a 3% 401(k) match plus profit sharing.

The role involves setting up extrusion, post-dryer equipment, QC checks, and coordinating with scheduling to ensure timely production. Must lift 50 lbs and work in warm, humid conditions.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs safely and independently.
• Able to work in warm, humid conditions and handle physical tasks.
• Basic computer skills including SAP, Excel, and Outlook are expected.

Responsibilities

• Set-up and clean-up machine according to product being run with correct screws, dies, and components.
• Prepare oils, dyes, dryer, and post-dryer equipment for production runs.
• Operate extrusion and conveying lines to move product through drying and coating stages.
• Configure Bachelor controls and adjust formulas based on run conditions.
• Maintain QC checks on moisture, density, color, and weight as directed.
• Coordinate with Milling Dept Operators and Production Scheduler to ensure timely mixes.

Skills

Independent work

Lift 50 lbs

Safety awareness

Basic computer skills

Tools

SAP

Excel

Outlook

Bachelor Controls

Job description

At Kaytee, you have the opportunity to work with products for birds, hamsters, rabbits, and other small animals. We offer a clean work environment with free uniforms, onsite fitness center and an onsite Health & Wellnessclinic for employees and their families. Other benefits include full medical, dental and vision coverage, free life, and disability insurance and a full 3% match on your 401k contributions, along with a yearly profit-sharing bonus.

The typical work schedule entails regular business hours, averaging at least 40 hours per week. For this role, you'll work four 10-hour shifts from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Monday through Thursday; enjoy a long weekend every week! There may be some variation in work hours due to overtime, special projects, deadlines, and other concerns.

Chilton, WI

Description

At Kaytee, you have the opportunity to work with products for birds, hamsters, rabbits, and other small animals. We offer a clean work environment with free uniforms, onsite fitness center and an onsite Health & Wellnessclinic for employees and their families. Other benefits include full medical, dental and vision coverage, free life, and disability insurance and a full 3% match on your 401k contributions, along with a yearly profit-sharing bonus.

The typical work schedule entails regular business hours, averaging at least 40 hours per week. For this role, you'll work four 10-hour shifts from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Monday through Thursday; enjoy a long weekend every week! There may be some variation in work hours due to overtime, special projects, deadlines, and other concerns.

Key Responsibilities

• Set-up and clean-up machine according to product being run. Includes setting up proper screw configurations, dies, inserts, and related components of extruder.
• Setup oils being used, mix and maintain dyes being used and have ready for machine startup.
• Set-up of dryer for proper moisture content, and screener-based properties of product being produced.
• Set-up of post-dryer equipment based on item being produced, including enrober, spray and powder coating equipment.
• Operates machine until dry mix reaches desired consistency, and processes through extruder to transfer conveyor, through dryer, and into coating operation.
• Setup appropriate Bachelor control configuration for product run being desired, selecting formula from system, and modifying based on current run conditions.
• Maintains open line of communication between Milling Department Operators, and Production Scheduler, to ensure mixes arrive in a timely fashion.
• The operator is responsible for Process Quality Control checks as indicated through Quality Control Department, including moisture, water activity, density, color, shape, and consistency.
• Maintains equipment associated with the Extrusion operations.
• When assisting in bagging area, sets up code dater, ensuring proper code date, inspects bags for quality seams, test product weights, and performs visual checks for proper mix. Marks pallets, and/or totes for proper destination and records materials consumed, and finished units complete on work orders.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently in an efficient, safe and accurate manner.
• Must be able to consistently lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work in warm, moist/humid conditions.
• Must possess basic computer skills, specific applications include Bachelor Controls, SAP, Excel, Work, Outlook
• Must possess a good sense of smell.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a production/warehouse environment.
• Temperatures can vary due to outside temperatures; internal temperatures can reach 100 degrees with very high humidity and moisture.
• There is occasional exposure to high, precarious places.
• Hearing Protection is normally required in this working environment.
• Currently, hours of work for this position are on a 10-hour shift schedule (on each respective shift) and average at least 40 hours a week. (2pm-12am M-Th)
• There may be some variation in work hours due to overtime, special projects, deadlines, and other concerns.

Benefits Package & Employee Programs

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay
• Paid parental leave
• Onsite 24-hour gym
• Health and Wellness Center

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro?, Aqueon?, Best Bully Sticks?, Cadet?, C&S?, Farnam?, Ferry-Morse?, Kaytee?, Nylabone?, Pennington?, Sevin? and Zo con?. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.comto learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.