Lead Operator

Darling Ingredients Inc.; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic production team at a leading company in the pet food industry! The Operator role is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of process equipment and maintaining product quality. You will oversee the entire process from raw materials to finished goods, performing regular maintenance and monitoring analytics to optimize production rates. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment where safety and efficiency are top priorities. If you have a mechanical aptitude and a passion for production, this role could be the perfect fit for you!

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience in a production environment preferred.
• Knowledge of mechanical processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee wet pet process from raw materials to finished goods.
• Monitor machinery and perform preventative maintenance.
• Maintain safety and cleanliness in the work area.

Skills

Mechanical Aptitude

Equipment Troubleshooting

Basic Math Skills

Basic Computer Skills

Good Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Job Summary

The Operator is responsible for the operation of the computer controlled process equipment, cooker, machinery, and evaluation of any process problems in addition to performing product quality testing.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Oversees wet pet process from raw material bin to finished goods storage.
• Maintain steady flow of material to equipment.
• Maintain grinders at peak operating levels.
• Monitor analytics to maintain rate per hour according to requirements.
• Control flow of material to mixers and to finished goods storage.
• Monitor control panel and various gauges to accomplish process.
• Perform periodic preventative maintenance on all equipment in process.
• Monitor machinery; bring all problems to attention of manager.
• Assures equipment and work area is clean after each shift.
• Maintains safety as top priority in accordance with all company safety rules and regulations.
• Use approved chemicals to disinfect surfaces
• Disassemble, sanitize, and reassemble food processing equipment
• Dispose of waste along the assembly line
• Use bailer to break down cardboard
• Transfer rendering material from production facility to rendering truck
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Minimum of 1 year prior work experience, preferably in a wet pet facility or production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of mechanical processes preferred.
• Chemical manufacturing experience a plus.
• Good mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting; skilled in general mechanics and safe operation of equipment.
• Basic math skills; ability to compute decimals and percentages.
• Basic computer skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deal with minor problems involving equipment or various situations.
• Ability to work nights and/or weekends as needed.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, and crouch.
• Frequently must push, pull, move or lift up to 50 lbs.
• Regularly required reach with hands and arms.

Work Environment

Job functions will be carried out in a production facility which requires tolerance for wet and/or slippery floors, and high heat and/or cold temperatures.

Darling Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military service, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Know Your Rights: If you would like more information, please click on the link and paste into your browser: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster