Operator I - Pet Treat Plant

ADM PetDine; Harvard (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with matching

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Career development opportunities

Job summary

ADM PetDine in Illinois seeks a Lead Operator I to oversee daily extrusion operations and guide operators, mixers, and associates. You will ensure schedules, quality, and food safety compliance are met while leading a small team in a fast-paced plant.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, leadership ability, and a proven track record in food manufacturing environments. This role requires lifting up to 75 pounds and forklift certification on hire.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in extrusion or food manufacturing operations.
• Must read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Forklift certification required upon hire.
• Ability to lift 50–75 pounds regularly.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily extrusion line activities to meet production goals.
• Verify ingredients and materials for production accuracy.
• Set up, operate, and log extruder functions while monitoring quality.
• Lead and support Mixers to ensure recipe accuracy.
• Verify finished product quality and take corrective action.
• Record lot numbers, production data, and parameters.
• Sign and review recipe sheets for completeness and traceability.
• Ensure cleaning per SQF and GMP standards.
• Train team members on safety, equipment operation, and procedures.
• Communicate with Supervisors, Maintenance, and Quality teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team communication

English fluency

Quality awareness

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Forklift operation

Extrusion equipment

Job description

The Operator I is responsible for overseeing daily extrusion operations to ensure efficient production of high-quality pet food products. This role provides leadership and guidance to operators , mixers, andassociates, ensuring adherence to production schedules, quality standards, and food safety

requirements. The Lead Operator I , will monitor and adjust extrusion processes, verify ingredient

accuracy, and ensure all documentation and sanitation standards meet SQF and GMP expectations. The

ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, leadership ability, and a proven track record in food

manufacturing environments.

Work Duties

• Oversee and coordinate daily extrusion line activities to meet production goals.
• Verify all ingredients and materials required for production are available and correct.
• Set up, operate, and log all extruder functions while monitoring for efficiency and product quality.
• Lead and support Mixers to ensure liquid inclusions and recipes are followed accurately.
• Verify finished product quality and take corrective action as needed.
• Record ingredient lot numbers, production data, and process parameters in designated systems.
• Date, sign, and review all recipe sheets for completeness and traceability.
• Ensure blending and batching are performed according to work order specifications.
• Enforce that pre- and post-cleaning procedures to meet SQF and GMP standards.
• Train team members on safe work practices, equipment operation, and production procedures.
• Communicate effectively with Supervisors, Maintenance, and Quality teams regarding production.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Production Supervisor or Manager.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to guide and train team members.
• Ability to lift 50–75 pounds regularly.
• Basic mathematical and computer skills for data entry and production reporting.
• Forklift operation (certification required upon hire).
• Strong understanding of Food Safety, GMP, and SQF standards.
• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills for troubleshooting equipment and process issues.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, team-oriented manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently.
• Reliable and punctual with good time management skills.
• High School Diploma preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in extrusion or food manufacturing operations.
• Prior leadership or lead operator experience preferred.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Demonstrated ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
• Consistent adherence to safety, sanitation, and production standards.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently while supporting team goals.
• Must be able to bend, stoop and squat as needed for housekeeping responsibilities.
• Tolerance for working in environments with exposure to heat, noise, and dust.

Employee Perks and Benefits

Enriching the quality of life for the world begins by taking care of our colleagues. In addition to competitive pay, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package to support your well-being, including:

• Physical wellness – medical/Rx, dental, vision and life insurance
• Financial wellness –401(k) with matching contributions
• Mental and social wellness – Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Additional benefits include:

• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development
• Company-sponsored training and development resources, such as LinkedIn Learning and mentoring programs

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are cornerstones of ADM’s efforts to continue innovating, driving growth, and delivering outstanding performance. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce and create welcoming, truly inclusive work environments — environments that enable every ADM colleague to feel comfortable on the job, make meaningful contributions to our success, and grow their career. We respect and value the unique backgrounds and experiences that each person can bring to ADM because we know that diversity of perspectives makes us better, together.

We are committed to ensuring all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our industry, as we strive to ensure our workforce represents the world that we help to feed: people of color, women, gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities. For more information regarding our efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging, please visit our website here: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | ADM.