Machine Operator

Walters Gardens, Inc.; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Wellness program

Employee discounts

Paid time off

Paid medical leave

Company holidays

Education reimbursement

Counseling services

Employee events

Job summary

Walters Gardens, Inc. in Zeeland, Michigan seeks a Machine Operator to run and adjust greenhouse machinery, ensuring quality plugs in trays and efficient changeovers.

You will coordinate with line leaders to meet production targets and support other departments to maintain smooth operations. The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and continual improvement, with opportunities to contribute to greenhouse and production processes.

Qualifications

• High school Diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of greenhouse experience or equivalent education preferred.
• 1 year of machine operation or equivalent education preferred.
• Basic working Spanish vocabulary preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Troubleshooting skills in mechanics and technology.

Responsibilities

• Receive and review weekly outline from Processing Supervisor.
• Communicate priority needs to maintenance team members.
• Monitor machine functioning and adjust settings to ensure quality.
• Monitor quality of finished product and adjust machine settings if needed.
• Adjust machine settings to maximize efficiency.
• Troubleshoot issues with machine operation as needed.
• Replace container for plug and soil material when full.
• Take empty trays to recycle skid and stack correctly.
• Perform end of day machine maintenance and cleaning.
• Be an active member of the greenhouse and communicate with different departments.
• Help create a safe work environment for all employees.
• Participate in grower meetings and educational events when directed by supervisor.
• Assist other team leaders when needed, and help other employees and departments complete daily tasks.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Troubleshooting skills in mechanics &"

Basic Spanish vocabulary

Education

High school Diploma or GED

Job description

Headquartered in Zeeland, MI with 80 years of industry leadership, Walters Gardens Inc. (WGI) is North America’s leading grower of perennials. We view our greenhouse operations as an essential building block for our ability to offer our customers a broad range of greenhouse liners and bare root perennials. It is our extensive knowledge and expertise in both greenhouse growing, field growing, and hybridizing that sets us apart.

With efficiency, quality, and integrity, WGI uses tissue culture (TC), unrooted cuttings (URC) and seed facilities around the world to produce and develop innovative perennials for the growing marketplace. A powerhouse partnership between WGI and the #1 plant brand in the world, Proven Winners (PW), has created the top destination for growers looking for outstanding genetics in top performing perennials.

Primary Purpose and Function

The primary purpose of the Machine Operator is to operate the machine, adjust machine settings to allow for quality plugs in trays, coordinate with line leaders for quantity of trays and timing of change overs, and strive for increasing efficiency and timeliness in all tasks.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Receive and review weekly outline from Processing Supervisor
• Communicate priority needs to maintenance team members
• Monitor machine functioning and adjust settings to ensure quality
• Monitor quality of finished product and adjust machine settings if needed
• Adjust machine settings to maximize efficiency
• Troubleshoot issues with machine operation as soon as needed
• Replace container for plug and soil material when full
• Take empty trays to recycle skid and stack correctly according to size
• Perform end of day machine maintenance and cleaning
• Be an active member of the greenhouse and communicate with different departments, including: Maintenance, Growing, Plant Health, Acclimation and Inventory
• Help create a safe work environment for all employees
• Participate in grower meetings and educational events when directed by supervisor
• Assist other team leaders when needed, and help other employees and departments complete daily tasks

Knowledge and Skills Required

• High school Diploma or GED required
• 1 year of greenhouse experience or equivalent education preferred
• 1 year of machine operation or equivalent education preferred
• Basic working Spanish vocabulary preferred
• Strong organizational skills
• Troubleshooting skills in mechanics and technology
• Ability to regularly lift/move 10 lbs, frequently lift/move 25 lbs, and occasionally lift/move 50 lbs
• Company Paid Short and Long-Term Disability
• Option to Purchase additional Life Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Employee Discounts on Company Products
• Family and Medical Leave
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Medical Leave (PML)
• Company Paid Holidays
• Employee Incentive Program
• Employee Events
• Education Reimbursement
• On-site Financial and Mental Health Counseling Services

Walters Gardens is an Equal Opportunity Employer.