Operations Filler Operator I

Opta Food Ingredients Inc; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking a Production Operator for their Allentown facility. The role involves operating aseptic beverage processing equipment, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring production efficiency. Candidates should be detail-oriented, have strong mechanical skills, and a commitment to safety and teamwork. This is a hands-on position requiring lifting and standing for long periods.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Forklift certification and strong troubleshooting skills needed.
• Two years' experience in food manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate cleaning and operating aseptic filling equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance on all machines.
• Conduct quality and food safety checks.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Mechanical skills

Communication skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree or higher preferred

Tools

Forklift

Job description

Allentown Facility, Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description

Pay Rate: $28.10

Schedule: 5:30am - 6:00pm

Reports to: Omar Rodriguez

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice and e-commerce channels across North America.

Summary:
This position is responsible for all functions relating to operating the processing equipment used to package and manufacture aseptic beverage products as well as cleaning (CIP) and sanitizing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Coordinate all function related to cleaning (CIP), sterilizing, and operating the aseptic filling equipment and supporting systems, while maximizing the quality of the product and efficiency of the department.
• Monitors and fixes faults as well as clearing any material jams in equipment.
• Maintains communication within production team ensuring smooth shift transitions.
• Full ownership of required quality checks to assure standards are met.
• Relieve other production team members for breaks and absences as required.
• Maintain clean and organized area around equipment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties involving area equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance on all DE machines.
• Support mechanics in appropriate maintenance activities.
• Monitor raw material and supplies to ensure efficient production.
• Understand the continuous process flow of the aseptic system.
• Accurately prepares and maintains all area paperwork in a neat and professional manner.
• Must be able to work independently as well as professionally with other team members.
• Proficient and comfortable using a computer.
• Performs a variety of quality and food safety checks to ensure standards and specifications are met.
• Communicate to all other facility personnel regarding any delays or problems that would hinder production.
• Must follow all employee safety, food safety and quality procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Responsible for proper shift handoff with incoming/outgoing operators.
• Must wear all required PPE; such as protective gloves, aprons, face shields and safety glasses.
• Leadership and ownership of the department, job responsibilities and job function.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Forklift certification
- Passing of background and drug screens.
- Strong troubleshooting and mechanical skills
- A desire to succeed and good work ethics are required
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- High energy, flexible, self-starter, hands-on, comfortable with little or no administrative support.
- Attention to detail is a must.
- Team player with a sense of urgency and a self-accountability mentality.

Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required. Associates degree or higher preferred; or two years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:
Preferably at least two years’ experience in food manufacturing.

Knowledge and Skills:

Candidate must possess the knowledge and understanding of basic math skills including weight calculations, averages and percentages. Must be able to read and write in English.

Travel Requirements:
None as part of normal job requirements; but travel may occur per management due to training needs.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:
Approximately; 100% of work is performed in a manufacturing facility which is not climate controlled and may contain allergens. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, climb stairs and stand for long periods of time.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Allentown Facility, Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States of America