Dry Production Operator

Jobtailor; Faribault (MN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Balchem Corporation is seeking a Machine Operator in Faribault, Minnesota. This position involves operating and maintaining machines that mix and blend food-grade materials.

Applicants need a High School Diploma or GED and basic computer skills. The role requires adherence to food safety practices, safety audits, and basic math skills.

Shifts are scheduled from 6 pm to 6 am on a rotating basis, offering a pay rate of $22.00 per hour plus a $1 shift differential.

Qualifications

• 1–4 years related experience preferred.
• Willingness to learn and follow documented procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, clean, or tend machines for processing materials.
• Perform daily GMP audits and ensure compliance.
• Monitor and maintain food safety activities.

Skills

Basic math skills

Communication skills (oral and written)

Computer skills (Word, Excel, ERP)

Proactive safety behavior

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift

Job description

Company Overview

Balchem Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty ingredients that improve and enhance the health and well‑being of life on the planet, providing state‑of‑the‑art solutions and the finest quality products for a range of industries worldwide. The company is headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey and operates a broad network of sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers primarily located in the US and Europe. Founded in 1967, Balchem is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ – BCPC) with annual revenues over $900 million and a market cap exceeding $4.0 billion. The company consists of three business segments: Human Nutrition & Health; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Balchem employs over 1,400 people worldwide who are engaged in diverse activities, committed to developing the company into global market leadership positions.

Position Summary

Set up, operate, clean, or tend machines to mix, blend or agglomerate materials such as food grade chemicals, liquids, or color pigments. This position is scheduled 6 pm to 6 am on a rotating schedule. Pay is $22.00 per hour plus $1 shift differential.

Essential Functions

• Perform all job requirements in a safe manner using the proper PPE and be a proactive safety role model with co‑workers.
• Correct/report unsafe behaviors or equipment to ensure a safe working environment.
• Maintain cleanliness within the work department.
• Perform safety audits and complete all safety training.
• Follow all food safety practices and processes applicable to the department.
• Execute job duties with the company’s commitment to quality in mind.
• Monitor and maintain all food safety activities as part of daily tasks.
• Enforce the food safety plan while producing product.
• Perform daily GMP audits.

Level 1

• Add or mix chemicals and ingredients for processing, using hand tools or other devices.
• Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually to ensure conformance to established standards.
• Observe production and monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, and products to ensure conformance to requirements.
• Clean and maintain equipment, using hand tools; display proper use of hand tools.
• Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
• Record operational and production data accurately on specified forms.
• Test samples of materials or products to ensure compliance with specifications, using test equipment.
• Transfer materials, supplies, and product between work areas, using moving equipment and hand tools.
• Have a general understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Know the location of fire stations and first aid kits.
• Understand wet and dry clean procedures.
• Read and understand product specification sheets and testing requirements.
• Be forklift certified by video and written test.
• Understand item key format.
• Be able to write legibly and perform simple math using a calculator.
• Communicate and work with other departments.
• Attend scheduled meetings.
• Have a general understanding of SQF, Dietary Supplement, and MMR process.
• Fill out Maintenance Work Orders.
• Understand Lock‑Out/Tag‑Out requirements.
• Display comprehension of agglomeration and encapsulation processes.
• Maintain a positive attitude.

Level 2

• Consistently meet and exceed production and cleanup standards.
• Set up and start up a machine after a cleanup.
• Lead a co‑worker in a wet and dry clean up or kosher.
• Identify and resolve basic processing issues.
• Assist in training new employees.
• Identify and correct safety and GMP violations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Participate in physical inventories and prepare for customer audits and third‑party audits.
• Have basic computer skills.
• Perform operator PM.
• Level 3
  • Assist Technical Service Group with scale‑ups and customer trials.
  • Demonstrate flexibility to cross‑train in other departments within the company.
  • Willingness to work on other shifts if needed.
  • Adjust batch size.
  • Print pick lists and pallet tags.
  • Fill in for the Lead position.
  • Perform material reconciliations.
  • Participate in meetings such as Supervisor Meetings and CAPA Meetings.
  • Close Final Reports.
  • Assist and participate in continuous improvement meetings and group projects.

All Levels

• Initiate and support continuous improvement and elimination of waste and variation in processes using established improvement processes.
• Develop cooperative relationships with co‑workers and other departments.
• Display a positive attitude and work cooperatively with co‑workers as well as other departments.
• Perform all other duties as necessary to the success of Balchem Corporation.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1–4 years related experience preferred.
• Special Boiler License within first year – Level 3.
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, ERP).
• Basic math skills required.
• Accurate – Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Customer‑oriented – Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.
• Accountability – Ability to accept responsibility and account for actions.
• Communication, oral – Ability to communicate effectively with others using spoken word.
• Communication, written – Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Reliable – Dependable and trustworthy.
• Ability and willingness to learn, understand, and follow documented work procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to function in a fast‑paced environment while moving multiple simultaneous projects forward.

Working Conditions

• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear.
• Occasionally required to kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, ascend, and descend stairs and/or ladders.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Consistently lift and/or move up to 50+ pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Performed in a production environment in a manufacturing location.
• Noisy environment (moderate to loud).
• Exposure to machine noise and food dust.
• Work near moving mechanical parts and chemical substances.
• Exposure to vibration and risk of electric shock.
• Varying temperatures (heat, cold, moisture).
• Exposure to allergens such as eggs, wheat, peanuts, dairy, tree nuts, soy, latex, and powders.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Balchem is committed to a workplace culture that values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equal employment opportunities, and a work environment free of harassment and hostility.