Packaging Operator I

Ventura Foods; Opelousas (LA); On-site; USD 50,647,000 - 61,929,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) matching

Job summary

Ventura Foods is seeking a Packaging Operator I to operate daily packaging schedules on site in Opelousas, LA. You will lift and handle ingredients and packaging materials, maintain GMP practices and sanitary conditions, and monitor labels, codes, and weights to meet customer specs.

You will follow all safety and quality guidelines, perform minor equipment checks, and document activities. Strong reading, math, and communication skills are essential in this fast-paced role with varied shifts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent.
• 1 year of experience recommended or required.
• Experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Learn to start up and check equipment for preventive maintenance and proper setup.
• Perform quality checks on packaging, weights, codes, and inspections.
• Read daily packaging schedule and recognize specific product requirements for each line.
• Follow GMP, safety procedures, company policies, quality policies, and HACCP/FSMA guidelines.
• Communicate problems to appropriate personnel and coordinate with relief staff.
• Assist with maintaining daily packaging efficiency and sanitation duties.
• Complete required paperwork accurately and on time.
• Adhere to all food safety policies and regulatory criteria.

Skills

Reading & math skills

Mechanical aptitude

Hand-eye coordination

Written & verbal communication

Education

High School Diploma/GED

1 year of experience

Food manufacturing experience preferred

Job description

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Packaging Operator I

Location: Opelousas, LA, US, 70570

Employment Type: Hourly
Shift: First
Work Arrangement: Onsite

Position Summary:

To use the daily packaging schedule to determine the products to be processed and to be aware of their specific requirements. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, processing requirements, ingredients, rework, coding information, labeling, and packaging and palletizing configurations. To lift, push, pull, and any other manner to handle ingredients, packaging, and/or equipment related to the processing of food grade oils. Maintain a safe and sanitary work environment within the boundaries of job position and safety training. Follow all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Learn to start up and check equipment for preventative maintenance issues, proper set up and operation. Learn to perform minor maintenance and adjustments as needed. Perform pre-shift preparation, by ensuring all surfaces that contact product, i.e., piping, utensils and vessels are sanitized and ready for operation
• Perform quality checks on proper placement of caps/lids/spouts, packaging, weights, codes, and case inspections to ensure that all quality and customer specifications are met
• Read daily packaging schedule and recognize specific requirements for all products that apply to specific packaging line
• Comply with all GMP, safety procedures, company policies, quality policies, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points as they apply to this position
• Communicate problems or concerns with appropriate personnel. Coordinate status with relief personnel
• Assist with maintaining daily operational packaging efficiency and sanitation duties
• Complete all required paperwork, accurately and timely
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent
• 1 year of experience
• Food manufacturing environment experience preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must possess good reading and math skills to accurately perform the requirements of the job
• Mechanical aptitude and good hand and eye coordination is required
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
• Hourly Base Range of$17.67 - $21.62*

*The “base hourly range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position in the specified markets. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Ventura Foods conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.
Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.
Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.
Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Our Culture
Our Culture reflects our commitment to treating every employee with respect and creating an environment where people can do their best work. We rely on a variety of strengths, backgrounds, and experiences across our teams to help us innovate, grow, and deliver for our customers. By fostering a workplace that is supportive, collaborative, and grounded in integrity, we continue to attract strong talent and meet the high expectations of a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ventura Foods may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted tools at certain stages of our hiring process, including identifying & sourcing candidates, reviewing applications and matched candidates on job boards and websites, and generating screening questions to help us work more efficiently and consistently. We regularly review our tools to promote fairness and reduce the risk of bias. However, while these tools support our process, every hiring decision is made by a real person on our team. Applicants in the State of New York may request an alternative process by contacting us at [e-mail] .