Machine Operator

Clasen Quality Chocolate, Inc.; Watertown (WI); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Clasen Quality Chocolate, Inc. is seeking a full-time Machine Operator to support our Watertown, WI facility. The role focuses on reading coating recipes, producing chocolate, and maintaining GMP/HACCP standards while ensuring safety and efficiency in a fast-paced environment.

Employees work nights or days with available overtime and a $2,000 sign-on bonus; the shift structure provides opportunities for quality work-life balance and skill development in a family-owned manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent with hands-on industrial experience preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs, stand for long shifts, and work at heights.
• Strong English reading/writing and basic math skills required.
• Familiarity with Excel, Navision, and production control systems is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Read recipes and add ingredients to mixers or bulk tanks.
• Operate packaging equipment and ensure product meets standards.
• Test samples and adjust ingredients to meet specifications.
• Maintain sanitation and safe working practices per GMP/HACCP.
• Complete production paperwork, logs, and reports accurately.
• Train and assist others; cover for teammates as needed.

Skills

Lift 55 pounds

Stand 12-hour shifts

English communication

Math skills

Work at height

Multi-tasking

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Navision

Plant Control Systems

Label Management

RSS

Job description

JOB REQUIREMENTS

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Clasen Quality Chocolate (CQC) is a world-class manufacturer of chocolate and innovative coatings. We have recently been awarded the Top Workplaces Award by the WI State Journal - No. 2 Large Employer and the Benefits Award. CQC has been growing double digits annually because of our flexibility, commitment, respect and integrity, and we are looking for quality individuals to join our team. Working for a family-owned company provides you with the opportunity to wear many different "hats," make a difference every day, and have fun doing it! We are committed to being an Employer of Choice in Southern Wisconsin and offering our employees a variety of traditional and unconventional benefits. We are currently accepting applications for full-time Machine Operators in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Watertown, WI, conveniently located between Madison and Milwaukee. Pay range is $30.50/hr (includes shift differential) on NIGHTS and $27.50/hr on DAYS. These are regular, full-time positions. DAYS: 4:55am - 5:25pm. Week 1: Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat. Week 2: Sun, Wed, Thurs. $2000 sign on bonus NIGHTS: 4:55pm-5:25am. Nights Option 1: Wednesday-Friday, every other Saturday. $2000 sign-on bonus Nights Option 2: Sunday-Tuesday, every other Saturday. $2000 sign-on bonus + extra $1000* Because you're only working 3-4 days per week, you have more full days off for hobbies and time with friends and family. Also, there is 8-hours of built-in overtime during your 4-day workweek. Last, if you want to volunteer for an extra work day and its available, it is paid at double-time.

JOB SUMMARY

The primary purpose of a Technician is to read and understand coating recipes, produce chocolate and coating in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures, and safety procedures, and also display competency in material handling. The Technician must also possess a great deal of flexibility in their ability to multi-task and maintain a team attitude in all actions taken.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A Technician would be assigned to North or South plant responsibilities.

Other duties may be assigned.

• Read recipe and add ingredients to mixer or bulk tank by hand and by using the plant control system (PCS).
• Collect and test samples of product in various stages of the production process.
• Add necessary ingredients to the conches.
• Melt ingredients for production orders.
• Prepare and operate the pre-refiner, refiners, and conches to achieve desired fineness and viscosity.
• Operate chipline depositor and troubleshoot color, shape, and size issues on finished products.
• Read, interpret, and mix bases, flavors, and dyes to meet product specifications.
• Add necessary ingredients to bulk tanks.
• Operate all packaging equipment to ensure product meets customer standards and complete all required paperwork and checks.
• Utilize correct cleaning procedures to complete production and non-production cleaning responsibilities.
• Set up, tear down, and clean tanks, pipes, pumps, and plates.
• Train and certify in the areas noted above within the designated time frames.
• Make mixes and operate drum and pail filling equipment.
• Inspect product for color, shape, size, flavor, and viscosity issues.
• Read and interpret production and distribution schedules.
• Understand and display competency in using the plant control system (PCS) and human machine interfaces (HMI).
• Complete paperwork and log production information accurately (labor reports, recipe weight, waste sheets, Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) sheets, etc.).
• Operate forklift and other material handling equipment.
• Attend team, safety, and qualit meetings, complete the necessary training / certification required by supervision, and train others as needed.
• Perform all tasks assigned by the supervisor, while following all company, safety, and quality policies and procedures.
• Cover for other employees while on break/lunch.
• Maintain regular attendance at work, and work overtime as needed.

OTHER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma or equivalent 3 years of complex industrial experience (machine operation, troubleshooting, mechanical, etc.) Food manufacturingExperience Would Be Helpful, But Not Required Previous Experience lifting 55 lbs. is preferred Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, RSS, Microsoft Navision, Plant Control Systems, and/or Label Management would be helpful SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Lift 55 pounds, sometimes repetitively Stand and walk for a 12-hour shift Communicate, write and read in English Perform math at an intermediate level (multiplication, division, fractions, etc.) Work at heights above 10 feet and in extreme heat Work with allergens, such as soy, milk, etc. Positive, can-do attitude and flexibility to perform a variety of tasks Multi-tasking, problem-solving and decision-making skills Accuracy and attention to detail Demonstrate range-of-motion, strength, and physical stamina needed to safely perform the job in fast-paced work environment. Remain alert to safety hazards, maintain attention to stay on task, manage time effectively, and work independently and in a team to complete assigned tasks.