Machine Operator- Day Shift

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.; Fort Wayne (IN); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. is seeking a production operator to drive the manufacturing line, ensuring products meet quality and safety specifications. You will follow SOPs, manage cleaning with limited water, and hand over faults to the next shift.

The role requires attention to hygiene and efficient line operation. Responsibilities include coordinating breaks, maintaining equipment, and achieving daily production targets in a fast-paced, cold environment.

Qualifications

• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure production meets customer specifications, quality and food safety.
• Coordinate local work team day-to-day efforts, breaks, lunches and rotations.
• Maintain hygiene, GMP and safety standards on the line.
• Complete production to plan and improve line performance.

Skills

Automation aptitude

Communication

Math skills

Problem solving

Multi-shift availability

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

• To ensure your machines are clean but not damaged by excess water, always organized and operating under discipline
• Operate to standard operating procedures
• Have basic ice cream knowledge, understanding the "WHY", not just the HOW
• Ensure limited water is used when cleaning with "clean as you go" principle
• Correct use, storage and set up of all equipment
• Ensure effective hand over with Maintenance and next shift, all faults and issues reported
• To drive the production process to ensure that the products produced meet customer specification, quality and food safety.
• To ensure production meets targeted outputs through effective control of the manufacturing process
• To communicate effectively with the entire team
• Ensure health and safety requirements are fully met and a positive safety culture is maintained throughout the line
• Represent The Froneri Way of working through the behaviors and characteristics in our Operating Model and Core Values
• Ensure you walk the talk always using the looking eyes, attend to the issues as and when they happen
• Promote the Froneri culture of employees being owners rather than just employees
• Following the principle of "will I do this to my home?"
• Coordination of local work team's day to day efforts - controlling breaks, lunches and rotations.
• Other duties as assigned

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

• Reducing trends of rejections from food safety and quality issues
• Hygiene, GMP and safety audits improving week over week
• Daily, weekly, monthly production targets are fully met
• Effective interaction with the team
• Quality and improvement initiatives being implemented
• Reduction in accidents and incidents on a YOY basis.
• De-kitting the line and making sure all packaging is returned to the warehouse.
• Ensuring line is checked after being cleaned and all tools are stored in the correct places.
• No stagnant water left in any equipment.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• 18 years of age or older
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience
• One-year related experience (preferred).

LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Quality and technical system adherence
• Completion of the required production to plan
• Health and Safety
• Impeccable hygiene standards always
• Clean as you go; use proper cleaning techniques (i.e. limited water hose usage)
• Number of direct reports (if applicable):

BEHAVIORS AND CORE VALUES:

Must consistently showcase the desired behaviors that represent our Core Values.

We Take Ownership

Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish

Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail

Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

We Do What Is Right

Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations

Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment

Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

We Seek to Improve

Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations

Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve

Learn from both successes and failures

We Are Better Together

Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business

Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives

Treat everyone with fairness and respect

WORK ENVIRONEMENT

• In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.
• Cold Temperatures: Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.
• Requires use of cold-protective PPE.
• May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.
• Fast-Paced: Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.
• High-speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.
• Standing for Long Hours: Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements required.
• Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Food Safety Regulations: Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).
• Team-Oriented: Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The position is $26.20 an hour.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.