Pay and Benefits
- Hourly Range – $23.00 - $32.50 per hour
- Competitive bonus programs
- Medical, Dental, Vision benefits available day 1 of employment
- Supplemental benefits available on day 30 of employment
- Eligible for 401 (k) with a company match available on day 90 of employment
- Educational Support via tuition reimbursement and scholarship program
Work Shift and Location
3156 Byrne Hollow Crossing Cortland, NY 13045
N2 6pm-630am rotating weekend shift.
Job Overview
The PET Packaging Operator plays a key role in executing assigned Production tasks. This includes setting up, operating, cleaning, and troubleshooting production equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate and monitor high-speed PET bottle packaging lines in an ESL/Aseptic dairy facility producing extended shelf life and ultra-high temperature processed dairy products.
- Perform visual and dimensional bottle inspections prior to filling infeed; identify and remove defective bottles including paneling, ovality, base deformation, neck finish defects, and wall thickness inconsistencies.
- Set up and operate bottle sleever, over capper, accumulation, combiners, case packers and case shrink sleeves, palletizers and pallet wrappers on ESL/Aseptic PET dairy bottle packaging lines.
- Apply and verify sell‑by dates, lot numbers, and plant codes on PET bottles and cases using inkjet coding systems; maintain accurate traceability records to support ESL/Aseptic product shelf life tracking and recall readiness.
- Ensure finished PET product pallets are correctly staged for cooled/ambient temperature warehousing consistent with ESL/Aseptic product storage requirements.
- Conduct in-process quality inspections on finished PET packages for label accuracy, date code legibility, seal integrity, shrink pack appearance, case count, and pallet stability; initiate hold procedures for any non‑conforming finished goods.
- Perform SKU and format changeovers on PET packaging lines including bottle size, label, and case configuration changes; verify all settings against the changeover checklist before restarting the line.
- Clears any jam‑ups and restore production line operation.
- As required, set up, operate, and clean the following equipment: bailer, trash compactor, while completing all required documentation.
- Ensures work areas are sanitary and strictly adheres to sanitation and 5s practices.
- Communicates effectively between shifts and other departments.
Min. Qualifications
- GED or High School Diploma is preferred.
- Previous manufacturing or machine operation experience is preferred.