Pet Treat Extrusion Operator I – Team-Driven Production

ADM PetDine; Harvard (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with matching

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Career development opportunities

Job summary

ADM PetDine in Illinois seeks a Lead Operator I to oversee daily extrusion operations and guide operators, mixers, and associates. You will ensure schedules, quality, and food safety compliance are met while leading a small team in a fast-paced plant.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, leadership ability, and a proven track record in food manufacturing environments. This role requires lifting up to 75 pounds and forklift certification on hire.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in extrusion or food manufacturing operations.
• Must read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Forklift certification required upon hire.
• Ability to lift 50–75 pounds regularly.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily extrusion line activities to meet production goals.
• Verify ingredients and materials for production accuracy.
• Set up, operate, and log extruder functions while monitoring quality.
• Lead and support Mixers to ensure recipe accuracy.
• Verify finished product quality and take corrective action.
• Record lot numbers, production data, and parameters.
• Sign and review recipe sheets for completeness and traceability.
• Ensure cleaning per SQF and GMP standards.
• Train team members on safety, equipment operation, and procedures.
• Communicate with Supervisors, Maintenance, and Quality teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team communication

English fluency

Quality awareness

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Forklift operation

Extrusion equipment

Job description

ADM PetDine in Illinois seeks a Lead Operator I to oversee daily extrusion operations and guide operators, mixers, and associates. You will ensure schedules, quality, and food safety compliance are met while leading a small team in a fast-paced plant.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, leadership ability, and a proven track record in food manufacturing environments. This role requires lifting up to 75 pounds and forklift certification on hire.