Extruder Operator

Heartland Pet Food Mfg IN; United States; On-site; USD 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance includes medical, &nD

401(k) with company match

Vacation up to 120 hours per year

11 paid holidays

Pet insurance & pet adoption

Job summary

General Mills Richmond, IN is seeking a Pre-Side Operations Technician for the Blue Buffalo facility. The position starts at $31.63 per hour and involves supporting extrusion and batching to produce dog and cat food.

You will operate and maintain meat processing and milling equipment, uphold safety and compliance, and join a collaborative team to cross-train, improve processes, and deliver high-quality foods to customers nationwide.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 2+ years of machine operation or mechanical/technical experience.
• Experience with extrusion or food processing equipment preferred.
• Forklift license/certification or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Process raw materials into finished products by safely supporting extrusion and batching.
• Ensure adherence to company policies, industry standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain meat processing and milling equipment.
• Manage and monitor batch system, formulas, and grind quality.
• Support operators with supplies and machine assembly/disassembly.
• Cross-train on other positions and provide coverage when needed.
• Participate in sanitation and safety practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Machine operation

Mechanical/technical skills

Basic computer skills

Physical endurance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift certification

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Pre-Side Operations Technician, Blue Buffalo - Richmond, IN

Starting Pay: $31.63 per hour

Why Join Our Team

Our Richmond facility opened in 2018 and produces dry dog and cat food in large and small bags, making over 1.2 million pounds of pet food daily. Our Richmond Buffs are humble, hungry, and smart, and take pride in a unique and highly-engaged cohesive team culture. We foster a positive work culture where we promote our values and our employees are excited to come to work. We have a variety of committees at our plant to engage and connect our employees as a team and with our community. We host events throughout the year, as well as events for employees and their families. Our products include Blue Buffalo dry dog and cat food.

What We Have to Offer

• $31.63 per hour starting pay
• Up to 10 days (120 hours) of vacation annually
• 11 paid company holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Health Insurance includes medical, dental, vision, and life
• Pet Parent Perks includes pet insurance and pet adoption reimbursement
• Great paid time off benefits and much more!

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Be responsible for the processing of raw materials into finished products by safely supporting extrusion and batching
• Ensure adherence to company policies, industry standards, and regulatory compliance
• Create high-quality foods that are eaten EVERYDAY, NATIONWIDE
• Use TECHNOLOGY in an industry-leading facility
• Work with HIGH-LEVEL operators on EXPERIENCED teams that are looking to pass down their knowledge to workers WILLING TO LEARN and get paid doing it
• CHALLENGE yourself to get the JOB DONE RIGHT and gain skills to take with you to your next opportunity
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain meat processing and milling equipment
• Manage and monitor batch system, formulas, and grind quality
• Be responsible for collection and documentation of test data, sending/receiving analytical samples and results with process problem solving and troubleshooting capabilities
• Perform evaluation/inspection of physical, chemical, and sanitary characteristics of raw ingredients/materials; products produced and/or packaging or other materials
• Support operators with supplies and machine assembly/disassembly
• Ability and willingness to cross-train on other positions and provide coverage when needed
• Be responsible for sanitation/sanitization of required areas
• Participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives to increase platform performance
• Assist in training new employees

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• 2 years (minimum) experience in machine operation and/or mechanical/technical skillset
• Extrusion or food processing equipment experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
• Forklift license/certification or willing to obtain one
• Basic computer skills, including the ability to interact with digital systems used in daily tasks
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to perform physical tasks for extended periods of time including standing, walking, climbing, bending, pushing, pulling, and twisting over surfaces
• Ability to climb and/or work at heights while utilizing stairs, ladders, personnel lifts, or platforms
• Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment (Personal Protective Equipment - PPE) such as safety shoes, face masks, safety glasses, hearing protection, a hard hat, a hair/beard net, and gloves (when required)
• Willing and able to adhere to all grooming requirements necessary for a food manufacturing environment
• Ability to work in hot, cold, noisy, dusty, wet environmental working conditions
• Willing to work around industrial high-speed moving machinery
• Ability to work with allergens that might be present in a food environment
• Ability to work in a tobacco-free environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in a manufacturing/production environment preferred

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.

ABOUT GENERAL MILLS

Check out why General Mills Manufacturing is a great place to grow a career: New possibilities. Bold thinking. Real heart. Build remarkable brands with remarkable people.

At General Mills, we make food the world loves. Across 100+ markets, we come together to create, innovate and grow. Here, you’ll do meaningful work and help to lead the future of food at a company that stands for good.

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