Palletizer Operator

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream in Fort Wayne, IN, is seeking an hourly Production Operator to support hardener, bundling and palletizing operations on a fast-paced manufacturing line.

You will follow GMP and safety policies, participate in quality checks, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet daily production targets. Prior experience is helpful; training will be provided to operate equipment and document results.

Qualifications

• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem solving.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• One-year related experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain hardener operations.
• Bundle and palletize products following quality standards.
• Identify SKUs and manage palletizing station assignments.
• Coordinate shipping with carriers and warehouses.
• Maintain documentation for inventory, quality and safety.

Skills

Automated machinery aptitude

Troubleshooting

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Shift flexibility

Experience (1 year preferred)

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

IMREX System

Panel View

ASRS operations

CC Software

Currie equipment

Job description

• Comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Take an active role to insure that personal safety and the safety of others is never compromised.

Role and Activity

• Comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Take an active role to insure that personal safety and the safety of others is never compromised.

Safety

• Comply with all company safety policies and procedures.
• Take an active role to insure that personal safety and the safety of others is never compromised.

Quality

• Comply with the Good Manufacturing Practices as outlined by the plant quality department.
• Complete and document all food safety checks as required by the plant HACCP program.
• Complete and document all product quality checks as required by the plant MCP program.

Actively participate in preventing and correcting quality related errors. Plant Citizenship and Interactions (Grooves)

• Communicate and interact with others in a manor consistent with the company’s management philosophy, the “Grooves”.
• Actively participate in team meetings, committees and task forces.
• Comply with the plant’s attendance and other policies to maintain a corrective action free status.

Operational

• General:
• Become proficient in multiple skill areas and annually refresh your operational skill sets.
• Support hiring process by mentoring and on-boarding new team members.
• Lead and encourage problem solving within the Business Unit and Functional Team
• Communicate and follow-up on daily information.
• Be willing to learn and to train a variety of skills.
• Complete all required documentation in each area to support the plant inventory control, quality assurance, line reliability, damage reduction, and cost tracking systems.
• Hardener Operation:
• Understand basic hardener operations.
• Operate the hardeners under normal and product evacuation conditions.
• Bundling:
• Load and operate multiple bundlers (wrappers).
• Make minor adjustments to equipment settings to insure quality wrap.
• Insure that the proper materials and quantities have been staged for use.
• Palletizing:
• Understand the appropriate pallet pattern by product.
• Palletize using manual and semi-automatic and automatic palletizing stations.
• Load and operate the stretch wrapping equipment.
• Insure that product is properly palletized and ready for storage and distribution.
• Input Operator:
• Identify product SKU’s for palletizing station assignments.
• Complete all required IMREX and Panel View transactions and reports.
• Understand shuttle car and ASRS operations and correct errors as needed.
• Support ASRS inventory process as needed (usually done quarterly).
• Insure that palletized product is ready for storage
• Currie Auto Palletizer:
• Understand basic Currie operations.
• Program Daily SKU’s.
• Know and understand correct procedure for releasing lanes.
• Identify all aspects of Currie equipment performance and communicate with other operators and maintenance.
• Insure the quality of all products prior to and immediately following the Currie.
• Manage reject line to ensure product does not spoil.
• Shipping Coordinator:
• Communicate pick-ups and deliveries with carriers/ customers
• Communication with warehouses and logistics for order changes updates.
• Enter and release orders in CC Software system
• Maintain inventory levels for west-coast warehouses.
• Lab 48 hour hold and reject products.
• Ship and confirm orders in IMREX system daily
• Maintain pallet program and pallet reconciliation by carrier.

Sanitation

• General:
• Understand the safest and most effective cleaning methods used in the hardening, bundling and palletizing areas.
• Conduct basic sanitation preventive maintenance as required.
• Follow the proper cleaning procedure for each piece of equipment used in the hardening, bundling and palletizing
• Environmental Cleaning:
• Maintain work area in an “inspection ready” condition at all times.
• Follow the proper cleaning procedure for non-product contact surfaces and equipment.
• Represent The Froneri Way of working through the behaviors and characteristics in our Operating Model and Core Values

Measurable Outcomes

• Hygiene, GMP and safety audits improving week after week
• Daily, weekly, monthly production targets are fully met
• Effective interaction with the team and takes direction from Machine Operator and Management
• Quality and improvement initiatives being implemented and maintained
• De-kitting the line

LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Quality and technical system adherence
• Completion of the required production to plan
• Health and Safety
• Impeccable hygiene standards always
• Clean as you go; use proper cleaning techniques (e. limited water hose usage)
• Number of direct reports (if applicable):

BEHAVIORS AND CORE VALUES:

Must consistently showcase the desired behaviors that represent our Core Values.

We Take Ownership

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish
• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail
• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

We Do What Is Right

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations
• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment
• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

We Seek to Improve

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations
• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve
• Learn from both successes and failures

We Are Better Together

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business
• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives
• Treat everyone with fairness and respect

Position Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem solving
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience
• One-year related experience (preferred).

Work Environment

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

• Cold Temperatures: Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.
• Requires use of cold-protective PPE.
• May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.
• Fast-Paced: Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.
• High-speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.
• Standing for Long Hours: Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.
• Repetitive hand and arm movements required.
• Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Food Safety Regulations: Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).
• Team-Oriented: Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. This an hourly position paying $20.96. an hour.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.