Key Operator I (Conversion)

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

401K with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. is seeking a production line operator to support the manufacturing of ice cream products at our Laurel, MD facility.

The role emphasizes operating assigned machines, maintaining hygiene and safety, and achieving production targets through teamwork with maintenance and the next shift. The position requires basic mechanical aptitude, strong problem-solving and communication skills, and the ability to work multiple shifts.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience
• One-year related experience (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Operate assigned machines per SOPs to standard.
• Maintain hygiene, GMP and safety on the line.
• Keep equipment and area clean and organized.
• Coordinate with maintenance and next shift for handovers.
• Meet production targets and communicate issues promptly.
• Follow health and safety requirements and PPE usage.
• Understand machine operation, procedures, and manuals.
• Support line efficiency and waste reduction efforts.
• Contribute to a positive safety culture on the line
• Be adaptable to learning and applying Froneri operating model and values.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Education

High School diploma/GED

Job description

Are you looking to catapult your career by driving high-impact transformation with household brands?Do you crave an entrepreneurial, fast paced, and engaging growth assignment working with incredible people from across the globe?

At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, we are excited to start a new chapter of accelerated growth as part of Froneri – a global pure-play ice cream leader.Come help us transform DGIC into the #1 ice cream brand! With nearly 100 years of winning experience in the U.S, a robust portfolio of powerhouse brands that consumers know and love such as Häagen-Dazs, Drumstick, Dreyer’s & Edy’s, and the backing and coaching of European-based ice cream experts, we know we have the winning recipe.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the Bay Area’s hub for up-and-coming food trends, our teams across our offices and factories are raising the bar on all things ice cream. We are investing in significant capital expansions to grow our Operations and Supply chain and are transforming how we work at every level to become agile, accelerate growth and elevate our quality. With a renewed focus on frozen treats, our tight-knit team of ambitious innovators are fully immersed in the business and encouraged to flex and make decisions quickly. We are committed to pursuing every great idea and delivering the best ice cream experience for our consumers, when and where they want it.

Unleash your potential at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and discover what a sweet career we have in store for you.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Effective and consistent running of the machine you are assigned to. Always working to achieve production targets through effective interaction with the processes. A good understanding of the machinery & ensuring you achieve the desired results in terms of Quality, Safety, Hygiene and Waste. This will be achieved through having the knowledge and understanding of the assigned machines on the line, process, and products. Attention to detail and always operating within the required parameters of your machines.

Job Description

ROLE AND ACTIVITY

• Ensure your machines are clean but not damaged by excess water, always organized and operating under discipline
• Operate to standard operating procedures in areas assigned
• Have basic ice cream knowledge, understanding the "WHY", not just the “HOW”
• Ensure limited water is used when cleaning with the "clean as you go" principle
• Correct use, storage and set up of all equipment
• Ensure effective hand overs with the maintenance team and next shift, all faults and issues reported
• Drive the production process to ensure that the products produced meet customer specification, quality and food safety.
• Ensure production meets targeted outputs through effective control of the manufacturing process
• Communicate effectively with the entire team
• Ensure health and safety requirements are fully met and a positive safety culture is maintained throughout the line
• Ensure you walk the talk always using “looking eyes”, attend to the issues as and when they happen
• Follow the principle of "would I do this to my home?"
• Represent The Froneri Way of working through the behaviors and characteristics in our Operating Model and Core Values
• Other duties as assigned

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

• Reducing trends of rejections from food safety and quality issues
• Hygiene, GMP and safety audits improving week over week
• Daily, weekly, monthly production targets are fully met
• Effective interaction with the team and takes direction from Machine Operator
• Quality and improvement initiatives being implemented
• Reduction in accidents and incidents on a YOY basis
• De-kitting the line and making sure all packaging is returned to the warehouse
• Ensuring line is checked after being cleaned and all tools are stored in the correct places
• No stagnant water left in any equipment

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• 18 years of age or older
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience
• One-year related experience (preferred).

LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Quality and technical system adherence
• Completion of the required production to plan
• The machines in your area of responsibility
• Reading and learning about the proper use and running of your machines
• User manuals for your machines
• Health and Safety
• Impeccable hygiene standards always
• Clean as you go with No Ghost Busters.
• Machine tools and ancillary equipment

BEHAVIORS AND CORE VALUES: Must consistently showcase the desired behaviors that represent our Core Values.

We Take Ownership

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish
• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail
• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

We Do What Is Right

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations
• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment
• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

We Seek to Improve

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations
• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve
• Learn from both successes and failures

We Are Better Together

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business
• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives
• Treat everyone with fairness and respect

WORK ENVIRONMENT

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.

• Cold Temperatures:Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.
• Requires use of cold-protective PPE.
• May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.
• Fast-Paced:Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.
• High-speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.
• Standing for Long Hours:Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements required.
• Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Food Safety Regulations:Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).
• Team-Oriented:Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The pay range for prospective employees is $24.11 per year, with opportunities for overtime, shift differential, cold premium pay and annual bonuses (variabledepending on company performance).

We offer a comprehensive group benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off, paidholidays, paid parental leave, 401K plan with employer match and annual contribution available.

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan and H-1B lottery registration) for this position.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.