GCS Cartoner Operator

Idaho Milk Products; Jerome (ID); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) plan with company match

Vacation, Holiday Pay, PTO

Job summary

Idaho Milk Products in Jerome, ID is seeking a GCS / Cartoner Operator to run and monitor packaging equipment for ice cream novelties and frozen desserts. You will ensure accurate grouping, counting, cartonization, coding and packaging while upholding food safety and production standards.

The role supports packaging line performance, minimizes downtime, and ensures finished products meet customer requirements. Prior dairy/food production experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Prev. manufacturing or food production experience preferred.
• Experience operating automated cartoning, packaging, or production equipment preferred.
• Experience in dairy, frozen dessert, beverage, or food manufacturing environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor GCS and cartoning equipment to group, count, orient, and package frozen products.
• Set up and adjust cartoning equipment to meet product specs.
• Load carton materials and verify counts and configurations.
• Perform startups, shutdowns, and changeovers per procedures.
• Monitor line performance for efficiency and minimal waste.
• Conduct routine quality inspections on finished cartons for coding, labeling and integrity.
• Verify lot codes, date codes, and packaging materials.

Skills

Operate cartoning

Mechanical aptitude

Attention to detail

Read production schedules

Documentation

Teamwork

Food manufacturing

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Day Shift, Monday to Friday. Subject to change based on business needs.

Department

Production

Location:

Ice Cream Plant

City

Jerome

State/Territory

Idaho

Reports To

Ice Cream Supervisor

Employment Status

Full time

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

Shifts

Day Shift

# of openings

1

Shift

Day Shift, Monday to Friday. Subject to change based on business needs.

BENEFITS

• We are delighted to offer a comprehensive benefits package that encompasses Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, Vacation, Holiday Pay, Personal Time Off (PTO), and a 401(k) plan with a company match. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply.

POSITION SUMMARY

The GCS / Cartoner Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining GCS grouping and cartoning equipment used to package ice cream novelties and frozen dessert products into retail cartons. This position ensures products are grouped, counted, cartonized, coded, and packaged accurately while maintaining food safety, quality, and production efficiency standards. The role plays a key part in supporting packaging line performance, minimizing downtime, and ensuring finished products meet customer requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Cartoning & Packaging Operations

• Operate and monitor GCS and cartoning equipment used to group, count, orient, and package frozen novelty products into retail cartons.
• Set up and adjust cartoning equipment to meet product specifications and production requirements.
• Load carton materials and packaging components while ensuring proper machine operation.
• Verify that product counts, carton configurations, and packaging materials meet customer and production specifications.
• Perform equipment startups, shutdowns, changeovers, and product transitions according to established procedures.
• Monitor production line performance to ensure maximum efficiency and minimal product loss.

Quality Assurance & Product Verification

• Conduct routine quality inspections on finished cartons for proper coding, labeling, sealing, appearance, and product count accuracy.
• Verify lot codes, date codes, carton graphics, and packaging materials throughout production runs.
• Monitor product presentation and packaging quality to ensure compliance with customer requirements.
• Remove defective cartons or products from production and report concerns promptly.
• Accurately document production, downtime, and quality information.

Equipment Operation & Troubleshooting

• Monitor equipment for jams, misfeeds, improper carton formation, sensor faults, or other operational issues.
• Perform minor troubleshooting and machine adjustments to maintain line performance.
• Communicate equipment concerns with Maintenance and Production leadership.
• Participate in preventative maintenance activities and operational inspections.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve equipment reliability and efficiency.

Secondary Packaging & Palletizing Support

• Support downstream packaging activities including case packing, labeling, palletizing, and staging finished product.
• Ensure proper carton flow from production through shipping preparation processes.
• Verify pallet labels, product identification, and inventory accuracy when required.
• Work with warehouse and packaging personnel to maintain production flow.

Sanitation & Compliance

• Perform required cleaning and sanitation procedures on cartoning and packaging equipment.
• Follow all HACCP, SQF, GMP, FDA, and company food safety requirements.
• Ensure compliance with allergen control procedures and product changeover requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready work area.
• Complete all required sanitation, quality, and production records accurately.

Safety & Teamwork

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Identify and report unsafe conditions, behaviors, or equipment.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Sanitation teams.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and employee training activities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• High school diploma or GED required

Experience

• Previous manufacturing or food production experience preferred.
• Experience operating automated cartoning, packaging, or production equipment preferred.
• Experience in dairy, frozen dessert, beverage, or food manufacturing environments preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to operate automated cartoning and packaging equipment.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Ability to read and follow production schedules, packaging specifications, and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to perform quality inspections and documentation accurately.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Basic computer and data entry skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned to support operational or business needs.

Physical Requirements

• Subject to up to at least 92db’s
• Lifting: up to 20 lbs. occasionally
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, on a regular basis
• Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist occasionally
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities that must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Ability to work in ambient, refrigerated, and frozen environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Ability to work around moving machinery, production equipment, and food processing systems.