Operating Technician I

Colgate; Cambridge (OH); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate is hiring an Operating Technician Level 1 in Cambridge, Ohio. The role covers production line operations, packaging equipment, quality checks, and material handling within a safety-focused environment.

You will work 12-hour shifts, support maintenance and engineering teams, manage materials via SAP/WMS, and follow cGMP standards plus EOHS guidelines. Forklift operations and housekeeping are required, with strong teamwork emphasized.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (Vocational school or technical institute preferred).
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts
• Minimum of 2 years work experience and/or 2-year technical college degree
• Ability to adhere to all safety standards and wear and utilize all personal protective equipment
• Ability to perform regular housekeeping and maintain general cleanliness in work area
• Ability to move bags of raw materials weighing up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Primary responsibility on a production line may include but not limited to the Operation, Cleaning, Lubrication, Inspection, Troubleshooting and Changeover of non-automated and automated packaging equipment.
• Assist maintenance and operating team members in troubleshooting and performing minor repairs on production equipment.
• Confirms availability of packing materials needed for current and next scheduled production run.
• Understands and adheres to Colgate Quality, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) and Micro standards and guidelines.
• Responsibility for safe operation of forklift in unloading of materials from delivery vehicles and delivery of materials to storage or production lines.
• Understands the parts storeroom storage system and can locate parts to support plant needs.
• Uses SAP for BOM and OPERA for quality checks and material data.
• Participates in review of team production performance and in continuous improvement.

Skills

Safety standards adherence

Housekeeping

Lifting 50 lbs

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities around the world.
Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.
A career at Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number#176170 - Cambridge, Ohio, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

The Operating Technician Level 1 position

The Operating Technician Level 1 position can have responsibility for the equipment spare parts storeroom, material handling and/or production line operations. All technicians work together with other Cambridge team members to achieve business objectives of safety, quality, productivity, customer service, cost and environmental protection. The primary accountabilities of the Operating Technician Level 1 may include daily production, quality and sanitization procedures, safety compliance, equipment maintenance procedures, materials movement, parts management, data collection, housekeeping, problem solving and continuous improvement as part of a work team. The Operating Technician Level 1 works within a structure that requires considerable interaction with other team members in the same production unit as well as other production units and support functions.

Core Responsibilities

• Primary responsibility on a production line may include but not limited to the Operation, Cleaning, Lubrication, Inspection, Troubleshooting and Changeover of non-automated and automated packaging equipment.
• Equipment identified but not limited to the Casemaker, Palletizer, Stretch Wrapper, Print / Apply, Case Turner, Case Sealer, Case Packer, Leak Tester, Spout Inserter and Bottle/Case Conveying will be the primary equipment for an entry level technician assigned to a production line. Understands how to access and enter equipment downtime information into the OPERA system.
• Assist maintenance and operating team members in troubleshooting and performing minor repairs on production equipment. Takes initiative to participate in continuous learning opportunities. Seeks knowledge of others in the work team to develop skills. Understands how to access EAM (Equipment Asset Management) to issue a work request notification.
• Confirms availability of packing materials needed for current and next scheduled production run. Coordinates with others on operating, planning and logistic team to ensure availability of materials. Understands how to access SAP/ZQUAL for production schedule and available materials.
• Understands and adheres to Colgate Quality, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) and Micro (Cleaning and Sanitization) standards and guidelines. Daily responsibility for performing quality sampling, accurately completing daily shift production batch records, visual, finished case/pallet quality checks and area cleaning checklist. Understands how to use a computer to access SAP for bill of materials (BOM) to verify materials used for finished case production and OPERA for entering quality check information.
• Understands and adheres to EOHS requirements for the facility. Adheres to Minimum Safe Behaviors (MSB'S), wears personal protective equipment (PPE) where required.
• Responsibility for safe operation of forklift in unloading of materials from delivery vehicles and delivery of those materials and supplies to the assigned storage locations or production lines as needed. Prepares and loads finished product for shipment to customers. Understands how to use a computer to access warehouse management system (WMS) for product loading to delivery vehicle.
• Understands the parts storeroom storage system and can locate parts as needed to support plant needs. Assist operating, maintenance and engineering team members in locating parts needed for equipment.
• Understands how to use a computer to access SAP for inventory control, parts stock overview, goods receipts and maintenance reports. Understands the goals of visual workplace (VWP) and performs housekeeping activities as per established protocol. Supports housekeeping assessments as required. Stays abreast of plant and team's overall performance via visual, written and verbal communications.
• Participates in scheduled review of team production performance and uses information to support and drive continuous improvement. Understands, supports and applies continuous improvement tools such as Root Cause Analysis in identifying opportunities to resolve issues and improve results.
• Every team member has responsibility to fully utilize our resources to optimize our productivity and to contribute and meet the needs of our customers, businesses and each other.
• Demonstrate personal leadership, including demonstration of Colgate-Palmolive Managing with Respect values.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (Vocational school or technical institute preferred).
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and rotating shifts
• Minimum of 2 years work experience and/or 2-year technical college degree
• Ability to adhere to all safety standards and wear and utilize all personal protective equipment
• Ability to perform regular housekeeping and maintain general cleanliness in work area
• Ability to move bags of raw materials weighing up to 50 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $ - $ USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.