Line Operator

Ventura Foods; Waukesha (WI); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits starting day 1

Profit sharing

401(k) matching

Paid vacation & holidays

Employee events

Shift differential 0.40 on 2nd shift

Job summary

Ventura Foods in Waukesha, WI is seeking a Line Operator to fill in on the plant floor during vacations, illnesses, or other absences. This hands-on role supports production, ensures safe, clean and efficient operation, guides teammates, and maintains quality standards.

You will perform preventive maintenance, monitor equipment, follow batch sheets, monitor material flow, and cooperate with QA and supervisors to resolve issues. Shifts are second and onsite work.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• 3–5 years of manufacturing experience.
• Must be able to operate and maintain production equipment and follow GMP practices.

Responsibilities

• Maintain equipment in good condition; start-up, adjust, and perform preventative maintenance checks.
• Prepare product per batch sheets; monitor production needs and document deviations.
• Unload incoming railcars/trucks; route materials and sample oils for QA.
• Monitor wastewater process; adjust as needed to maintain efficiency and quality.
• Troubleshoot mechanical/electrical/pneumatic issues; interpret machine error codes.
• Comply with GMP, safety, and FSMA policies and company procedures.
• Quality checks on lids, packaging, weights, lot codes and case inspections.
• Follow food safety policies and regulatory criteria; support continuous improvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Self-starter

Mechanical aptitude

Packaging line coverage

Production equipment operation

Forklift certified

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Line Operator

Location: Waukesha, WI, US, 53186

Employment Type: Hourly
Shift: Second
Work Arrangement: Onsite

Position Summary:

Assume the positions within the plant that are vacant due to vacations, illness, or other reasons. Hands on manufacturing team member who provides guidance and training in the manufacture of food products. Maintain orderly flow of quality production, help keep materials organized, and advise supervisors of upcoming needs and of productivity and quality issues that are not quickly and satisfactorily resolved. Set a positive example for others to follow in the areas of safety, quality, housekeeping, productivity and employee morale and job satisfaction.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain equipment in good condition and repair. Start up and check equipment for preventative maintenance issues, proper set up, and operation. Perform minor maintenance and adjustments as needed. Perform pre-shift preparation, ensure all surfaces that contact product are clean and ready for operation
• Prepare product according to established formulas, while monitoring the needs of production to keep filling areas supplied with finished product. Follow batch sheet without deviation while mixing product. Any deviation must be approved. All deviations recorded on the batch adjustment sheet
• Unload all incoming railcars and trucks. Steam rail cars as necessary to unload. Route materials to proper storage tanks and consolidate when needed. Monitor tank levels and record daily levels for cycle counters. Take appropriate samples of all incoming oil and bulk materials to Quality Assurance department
• Monitor waste water process conditions and record conditions on process log sheet as specified in operating procedures. Obtain process samples and make necessary process adjustments to maintain system efficiency and water quality according to process operating procedures
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions to determine root cause. Requires knowledge of electro/mechanical/pneumatic functions as well as proper operating conditions including air pressure, electrical eye alignment and machine settings. Interpret machine error codes
• Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), safety procedures, company policies, quality policies and procedures, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points as they apply to this position
• Performs quality checks on proper placement of lids, packaging, weights, lot codes, special customer codes, and case inspections to ensure that all quality and customer specifications are met
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years of manufacturing experience

Knowledge and Skills:

• Self-starter who can think on the go
• Good structural and mechanical aptitude
• Limited knowledge of job duties within the company with ability to fill in on packaging lines, process rooms, bulk unloading, waste water, etc. as needed
• Ability to operate and maintain all production equipment within the facility and understanding of label, RF and code dating systems
• Capable of being forklift licensed/certified

Why Join Us:
Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
• Hourly Base Range of $26.31 plus .40 cents for 2nd shift*

*The "base hourly range" provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position in the specified markets. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Ventura Foods conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.
Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.
Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.
Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Diversity & Inclusion:
Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.