Pet Food Manufacturing Slurry Operator - 1st Shift

KLN Family Brands; Delano (MN); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay

Paid Time Off

Job summary

KLN Family Brands in Delano, MN is seeking a Pet Food Manufacturing Slurry Operator for the 1st shift (5AM - 3PM, Monday - Thursday). You will prepare and mix slurry for pet food production, verify ingredients, operate mixers, perform quality checks, and maintain sanitation and safety standards across the line.

The role emphasizes GMP compliance, documentation, teamwork with Production and Quality teams, and hands-on operation of processing equipment.

Qualifications

• General mathematical ability.
• Self-motivation and reliability.
• Ability to learn, memorize, and execute procedures.
• Good hand–eye coordination.
• Willing to get along with others.
• Good judgement and reasoning abilities.
• Basic leadership skills.
• Can lift up to 60+ pounds.
• Ability to drive a forklift and pass certification exam.
• Holiday pay.
• Paid Time Off, with an additional day for your birthday.

Responsibilities

• Review and follow daily production schedule verifying against their product information sheets for accuracy.
• Communicate with extruded personnel as to which slurry flavor should be used for their immediate production needs.
• Coordinate with Shift Supervisor to verify which tanks to use for liquid storage of hydro products.
• Communicate with dry extrusion personnel as to which digest tanks should be used for their immediate production needs.
• Check all processing scales at the start of each shift with certified weights, if scale is off, notify maintenance.
• Operate slurry mixers, digest mixers and hydro mixers and monitor ancillary equipment to produce products that meet quality specs.
• Visually inspect and save samples for final analysis in the Quality Control Lab.
• Record operation parameters and turn in at the end of each shift.
• Batch and record all liquid slurry, digest and hydro batches for each run.
• Monitor all slurry, digest and hydro formulas for color, odor and grind; notify supervisor if out of specification.
• Understand bulk liquid controls and operations; switch minor ingredient totes and operate liquid room controls.
• Daily cleanup and weekly sanitation of slurry, digest and hydro areas; calibration of flow monitors.
• Train new departmental employees; perform sanitation duties as needed.

Skills

General math ability

Self-motivation

Procedural memory

Hand-eye coordination

Team player

Judgement & reasoning

Leadership skills

Lifting 60+ lbs

Forklift certification

Job description

Pet Food Manufacturing Slurry Operator - 1st Shift

Full Time Tuffy's Pet Treats, Delano, MN, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1972

Salary Range: $24.17 To $24.83 Hourly

1st Shift

5AM - 3PM (Monday - Thursday)

Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”

Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

The Opportunity

Slurry / Feed Operator

What is a Slurry Operator?

Responsible for preparing and mixing slurry used in pet food production by following product formulas, operating mixing and processing equipment, and monitoring the process to ensure product quality and consistency. Performs ingredient verification, process and quality checks, production documentation, equipment cleaning, and sanitation. Follows GMP, food safety, safety, and PPE requirements while working closely with Production and Quality teams to maintain safe and efficient operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and follow daily production schedule verifying against their product information sheets for accuracy
• Communicate with extruded personnel as to which slurry flavor should be used for their immediate production needs
• Coordinate with Shift Supervisor to verify which tanks to use for liquid storage of hydro products.
• Communicate with dry extrusion personnel as to which digest tanks should be used for their immediate production needs.
• Check all processing scales at the start of each shift with certified weights, if scale is off, notify maintenance – Inform Shift Supervisor
• Operate slurry mixers, digest mixers and hydro mixers and monitor ancillary equipment to produce products that meet the desired specifications set forth by the Quality Assurance Department
• Visually inspect and save samples throughout all runs to be taken to the Quality Control Lab for final analysis
• Responsible to record operation parameters and turn in at the end of each shift
• Batch and record all liquid slurry, digest and hydro batches required for each run and turn in at the end of each shift
• Monitor all slurry, digest and hydro formulas presented to them for color, odor and grind. Notifying supervisor of anything that looks out of specification
• Understand bulk liquid controls and operations
• Able to switch minor ingredient totes and operate liquid room controls
• Cleaning systems as required between production runs and end of schedule
• Calibrate process flow monitors prior to each run
• Daily clean up and weekly sanitation of slurry, digest and hydro areas
• Notify maintenance of any unusual equipment noises or failures
• Train new departmental employees
• Perform all sanitation duties needed at the line
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

SAFETY

• Attend safety trainings
• Follow all safety instructions and policies
• Report any injuries or near miss accidents to supervisor
• Report any unsafe acts or conditions to supervisor
• Wear required PPE that is determined by site

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Keep work area clean and free of debris

FOOD SAFETY

• Assist in maintaining all sanitation schedules
• Attend food safety trainings
• Follow all GMPs and food safety instructions

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• General mathematical ability
• Self-motivation
• Learning, memorizing and executing a sequence of procedures
• Good hand – eye coordination
• Willing and able to get along with others
• Good judgement and reasoning abilities
• Basic Leadership Skills
• Can lift up to 60+ pounds
• Ability to drive a forklift and pass certification exam
• Holiday pay
• Paid Time Off, with an additional day for your birthday!