Night-Shift Automation Operator — Robotics & Packaging

Utz Quality Foods, Inc; Hanover (York County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

Employer 401k match

Profit sharing plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Utz Quality Foods is seeking an Automation Line Operator at our Kindig Lane facility to join a fast-paced snack production team. The role runs Friday–Sunday from 5:30 PM to 5:30 AM with overtime as needed, supporting robotic palletizers and conveyors in a safety-focused environment.

You will monitor HMIs, perform daily checks, clear jams, log downtime in Redzone, and collaborate with QA, maintenance and packaging teams to maintain top performance and quality.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in manufacturing or food packaging preferred.
• Technical training in automation or robotics is a plus, but not required.
• Comfortable working with robotic arms, conveyors, and automated systems.
• Basic understanding of alarms, machine interfaces, and troubleshooting methods.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures/schedules.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and a team-focused attitude.
• Forklift or pallet jack certification.
• Familiarity with barcode scanners, vision systems, and label printers.
• Awareness of Lean or Six Sigma practices is a plus.
• Knowledge of PLC systems or programming languages is a bonus.
• Basic understanding of mechanical and electrical automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor automated systems to ensure top performance with minimal downtime.
• Use Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) to start, stop, reset, and troubleshoot equipment.
• Ensure correct case orientation and stacking patterns based on SKU/customer requirements.
• Monitor system indicators (box count, pallet output, sensor flags, etc.) to track performance.
• Clear jams and alarms safely and quickly; restart the system when needed.
• Perform daily equipment checks and cleaning at the start and end of each shift.
• Maintain cleanliness in the automation area (sensors, sweep zones, trash removal).
• Communicate and collaborate with QA, maintenance, and packaging teams.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures and all safety protocols.
• Report and log mechanical issues and downtime events through Redzone.
• Perform light maintenance and assist with troubleshooting equipment issues.

Skills

Robotics

Automation systems

HMI monitoring

Lockout/Tagout

PLC programming

Lean/Six Sigma

Forklift certification

Barcode scanners

Vision systems

Label printers

Education

Forklift certification

Tools

Redzone

Barcode scanners

Vision systems

Label printers

PLC programming

Job description

Utz Quality Foods is seeking an Automation Line Operator at our Kindig Lane facility to join a fast-paced snack production team. The role runs Friday–Sunday from 5:30 PM to 5:30 AM with overtime as needed, supporting robotic palletizers and conveyors in a safety-focused environment.

You will monitor HMIs, perform daily checks, clear jams, log downtime in Redzone, and collaborate with QA, maintenance and packaging teams to maintain top performance and quality.