Kitchen Operator

SnackCraft LLC; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

SnackCraft LLC is seeking a kitchen operator to drive production with strict adherence to GMP and safety standards. The role ensures accurate product flow, recipe adherence, and precise records for ingredients and processing data.

The operator will adjust oven and fryer settings, monitor dough temperature, and maintain equipment while supporting sanitation and maintenance tasks across shifts. Experience in food manufacturing is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must maintain GMP and Food Safety rules at all times.
• Experience in food production and equipment operations preferred.
• Certification in Hilo/OSHA safety required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain GMP and OSHA safety compliance across all shifts.
• Produce, warehouse, and distribute food meeting safety and quality policies.
• Adjust oven/fryer temperatures and water quantities per recipes.
• Monitor dough temperature and ensure continuous product flow.
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment; support sanitation events.
• Record processing data, weights, and scrap accurately in systems.

Skills

Sanitation Practices

Safety Compliance

Quality Control

Record Keeping

Team Collaboration

Effective Communication

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Hilo Certification (OSHA)

Tools

NetSuite

Redzone

Job description

Description: The kitchen operator is the first step in producing product at SnackCraft. They are the driving force for supplying accurate product for the line to run. They are the leaders in the kitchen that maintain the product flow and accuracy given to them through detailed formulas.

Work Environment: This job operates in a food production and warehouse setting. The floor surface is concrete. The noise level is moderate with no vibration. Material movement takes place throughout the facility.

Physical Demands:

- Must be able to lift 50 pounds and work on their feet, while using tools to perform repetitive actions

- Hearing and speaking to exchange information.

- Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling moderately heavy objects as assigned by position.

- Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate food service equipment.

- Reaching overhead, above shoulders and horizontally.

- Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching.

- Seeing to monitor food quality and quantity.

- The ability to stand and walk for an entirety of a shift.

Competencies:

- Sanitation Practices: Knowledge of proper sanitation and hygiene procedures.

- Safety Compliance: Adherence to safety protocols and PPE requirements.

- Quality Control: Conducting regular inspections to ensure food quality and consistency.

- Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records of production and ingredient usage.

- Team Collaboration: Ability to work well with other team members.

- Ingredient Handling: Proper handling and storage of ingredients to maintain freshness and quality.

- Cleaning Procedures: Knowledge of and ability to perform thorough cleaning of kitchen equipment and work areas.

Trained Skill Competencies:

- Driving a Hilo

- Batching

- Adjusting Water Temperatures and Quantities

- Adjusting Fryer and Oven Temperatures

- Adjusting Fryer and Oven Dwell Settings

- Operate Supersack Hopper

- General Mathematical Skills

- Assemble/Disassemble Equipment

- Clean Equipment

- Operate Oil Applicator

- Adhere to LOTO procedures

- FEFO Policy Awareness

- Knowledge of Lot Code System

- Operate within Redzone System

- General Maintenance Aptitude

- Accurate Record Keeping Abilities

- Effective Communication Skills

- Complete Weight/10 Testing

- Sensory Evaluation Knowledge

- Problem Solving Abilities

Core Responsibilities:

- Maintain all GMP and Food Safety rules at all times.

- Be the example in following GMPs, OSHA Safety, and all other procedures.

- Produce, warehouse, and distribute food that meets food safety, legal, and quality policies.

- Follow paperwork and recipes to properly prepare products.

- Produce product based on customer formulation specifications.

- Adjust oven and fryer temperature and dwell settings.

- Adjust water quantities and temperatures, as well as calibration of the water dispensing system.

- Monitor the temperature of the dough during production.

- Maintain a continuous product flow through the sheeting equipment to minimize downtime.

- Maintain kitchen equipment.

- Change bands and wires as needed.

- Assist in the assembly and disassembly of equipment for maintenance and sanitation events.

- Complete general maintenance of the equipment.

- Operate supersack unloading systems.

- Operate and navigate Redzone operations and quality compliance systems.

- Implement LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out) Safety Systems.

- Knowledgeable in sanitation requirements of equipment, including necessary chemicals, PPE, etc.

- Make sure the lines are being cleaned throughout the shift and waste is being disposed of in an orderly manner by SnackCraft standards.

- Ensure all materials brought back to the warehouse are clean, any partials properly stored, and pallets are wrapped and labeled.

- Facilitate efficient shift changes.

- Complete analytical testing on raw and finished goods, such as weight per 10, oil, and moisture.

- Accurately document and record processing and analytical data.

- Weigh and record scrap for pre-fryer and post-fryer and enter data into Redzone.

- Record information accurately and with integrity.

- Follow FEFO (First Expired First Out) when staging and pulling ingredients for production.

- Must be able to read and understand lot code systems.

- Knowledge of the oil applicator system.

- NetSuite scanning materials to work orders.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

- High School Diploma/ GED

- Hilo Certification (OSHA)

- Minimum 2 years' experience in manufacturing and equipment operations (food manufacturing experience preferred)