Packaging Operator

Alphia; Hazleton (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Alphia is seeking a packaging operator in Hazleton, PA to maintain quality and operate packaging equipment across assigned lines. You will label, palletize, inspect products, and support line changeovers while following GMP and HACCP standards.

You will set up and operate equipment like bag fillers, labelers, scales, metal detectors, and case erectors, with data entry into IQS/JDE systems, and participate in FIFO and sanitation duties daily.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work on packaging lines.
• Must complete required paperwork accurately and completely.
• Proficiency in Alphia Business Systems (i.e., JDE, IQS, etc.) as it applies to the position.

Responsibilities

• Package products in bags, boxes, or bulk containers; label and stack on pallets.
• Stack bags weighing up to 50 lb from waist to shoulder height onto pallets.
• Maintain product and packaging quality through visual inspection.
• Ensure bags, wraps, seals, boxes, and pallets meet quality standards.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot packaging equipment; perform basic maintenance.
• Enter data from routine checks into IQS and monitor HACCP compliance.

Skills

Basic math

Basic computer skills

Teamwork

Independent work

Communication

Lock Out/Tag Out cert

Forklift cert

Multi-tasking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Bemis 1

Bemis 2

Parsons

Jem lines

Palletizers

Forklifts

Stretch wrappers

Scales

Metal detectors

Belts

Control panels

Labelers

Coders

Case erectors

Trash compactors

Job description

Job Purpose

Maintain quality and operate packaging equipment and perform all packaging activities associated with assigned line.

Description of Essential Duties

• Package products in bags, boxes, or bulk containers; label and stack on pallets
  
  • Stack bags of product weighing up to 50# from between waist and shoulder height to a pallet between knee and shoulder height.
  
  


• Maintain product and packaging quality through visually inspecting finished product.


• Ensure product, bags, wraps, seals, boxes, and pallets meet quality standards.


• Participates in full facility equipment clean-up between runs, as directed.


• Accountable for maintaining and sustaining FIFO program.


• Set up, operate, and perform basic trouble shooting of packaging equipment, to include but no limited to:
  
  • Bemis 1, Bemis 2, Parsons, Jem lines, Palletizers, forklifts, stretch wrappers, scales, metal detectors, belts, control panels, labelers, coders, case erectors, trash compactors.
  
  


• Perform QA duties as necessary, to include but not limited to:
  
  
  
  • Enter data collected from routine checks into IQS software.
  
  
  • Know and monitor HACCP compliance in-Process.
  
  
  • Assist with product changeover, cleaning, and sanitation; perform inspections required before product start-up.
  
  
  • Collect finished product samples for product release testing.
  
  
  • Perform verification checks of metal detectors and magnets in area of responsibility as specified in Quality Checkpoints.
  
  
  • Immediately communicate Quality concerns to Packaging Lead or Supervisor.
  
  
  • Participate in the 1st article of inspection to ensure food safety and quality.
  
  
  
  


• Must complete required paperwork accurately and completely, including simple production reports.


• Proficiency in Alphia Business Systems (i.e., JDE, IQS, etc.) as it applies to the position.


• Anticipate technical problems and (when appropriate) proactively troubleshoot and make technical adjustments and/or notify Maintenance.


• Perform operator-level preventive maintenance on assigned equipment.


• Work with Maintenance and Supervisor to identify potential line improvements.


• Responsible for technical training/coaching and cross training other plant personnel and new hires.


• Acknowledge and adhere to the requirement to work only in job-specific designated area.


• Accountable for personal safety, behavior, and performance.


• Responsible for maintaining a clean and organized work area and leaving a clean and organized work area for the following shift.


• Responsible for following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) and Job Safety Analyses (JSA's), as well as following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).


• Required to notify a supervisor or a lead employee of any situation or observation that may adversely affect food safety and/or quality.

Competencies and Skills

• Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, and percentages.


• Basic computer skills.


• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals.


• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.


• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally, in written form, and via radio.


• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner.


• Ability to obtain Alphia Lock Out / Tag Out certification.


• Ability to obtain Alphia forklift certification.


• Ability to multi-task.

Qualification Requirements

Education: High school diploma and/or GED required.

Experience: Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Physical Demands

(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The phrases "occasionally," "regularly," and "frequently" correspond to the following definitions: "occasionally" means up to 25% of working time, "regularly" means between 26 and 75% of working time, and "frequently" means 76% and more of working time.) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, walk, and move from place to place. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use foot/feet to operate machine, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl or reach above shoulders. The employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or touch. The employee must exert 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions). The employee may be frequently exposed to allergens and/or airborne particles in the production area. Production employees are exposed to temperatures ranging from 0 to 100 degrees, depending on the season and workstation, and may be working near moving mechanical parts. Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions may occur. The noise level in the work environment may be loud while production equipment is running. Personal Protection Equipment (including, but not limited to, boots, gloves, safety glasses, and/or face shields) is required during various processes in the production area. Ear plugs and bump caps are required at all times in the production area.

About the Employer

Alphia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Welcome to Alphia Careers! Hi there! We are Alphia, a leading pet food manufacturer dedicated to providing safe, high-quality food to feed more pets. Our team is committed to ensuring that we consistently provide the highest level of quality and service for our customers. We believe pets are the heart of all families, and we are dedicated to nourish and protect them.