Press Operator

American Italian Pasta Company; Tolleson (AZ); On-site; USD 34,440 - 38,572; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Free pasta and other products

Job summary

Winland Foods in Tolleson, AZ is seeking a Press Operator to keep our production lines running safely and efficiently. You will operate, monitor, and maintain processing equipment, ensure quality control, and support a fast-paced team.

This full-time role offers a 6:00pm–6:30am shift on a 2-2-3 schedule, a $25.50/hour base pay plus a $1 night shift premium and a quarterly bonus potential. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and more.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.
• Forklift certification preferred; willingness to obtain if not yet held.
• Minimum 18 years of age.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain processing machinery and equipment.
• Perform equipment changes and troubleshoot issues quickly.
• Use SAP, IQS, MII, and Weaver to keep processing flowing.
• Monitor line performance and ensure safe, efficient operation.
• Lead 5S and continuous improvement in area.

Skills

English communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Overtime willingness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

IQS

MII

Weaver

Forklift

Job description

At Winland Foods, we believe great food starts with great people—people who live our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration every day.

As a Processing Team Member, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our production process running safely, smoothly, and efficiently. You’ll operate, monitor, and maintain processing machinery and equipment, monitor product flow, and ensure every batch meets our rigorous quality and food safety standards.

Employee Type: Full time

Location: Tolleson, AZ

Job Type: Production Group

Job Title: Press Operator

Schedule: 6:00pm-6:30am, 2-2-3 shift schedule

Work Location: 495 S 99th Ave, Tolleson, AZ

Salary: $25.50/hr plus $1.00 per hour night shift premium. Quarterly performance based bonus potential.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• 401(k) with match
• STD/LTD/AD&D/Life
• HSA, FSA, EAP
• Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness

Additional Perks

• $1,000 sign‑on bonus ($500 after 90 days, $500 after 12 months)
• Free pasta and other products

Duties and Responsibilities

Safe Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Perform and oversee equipment operations and maintenance activities, including forklift driving, die changes, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive upkeep for manufacturing and processing systems.
• Complete equipment changeovers and address operational issues quickly.
• Use SAP, IQS, MII, and Weaver to keep processing flowing.
• Monitor equipment performance and ensure efficient, safe, and continuous operation across all systems.
• Perform routine operation checks and daily inspections.
• Execute advanced troubleshooting, pre-inspection checks, and complex changeovers.
• Monitor and optimize line performance.

Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management

• Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, and processing.
• Perform manual packing and palletizing.
• Follow FIFO inventory methods, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP.
• Conduct quality checks, verify weight control, material accuracy, and product quality at multiple checkpoints.
• Minimize downtime and defects by leading the team in centerlining and monitoring line performance to spot issues early.
• Make real‑time adjustments to prevent defects.

Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance

• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation, complete documentation, and complete sanitation steps during changeovers.
• Lead FSQ compliance in assigned area.
• Mentor team on food safety and enforce sanitation accountability.

Team Collaboration, Leadership & Training

• Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals.
• Provide backup coverage for multiple roles, share knowledge, and support training.
• Coordinate team activities, assign tasks, lead shift meetings, and train others in advanced operations.

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Accurately complete basic production paperwork and report issues to supervisors.
• Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.
• Participate in 5S efforts and act as 5S champion for area.
• Lead improvement projects, perform operator-based maintenance, and analyze downtime causes.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.
• Forklift certification preferred; willingness to obtain if not yet held.
• Minimum 18 years of age.

Technical & Mechanical Skills

• Operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment (cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, palletizers).
• Demonstrate expert troubleshooting for high‑speed processing equipment for advanced levels.
• Operate CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities to improve efficiency.
• Mechanical aptitude to identify and resolve equipment irregularities.
• Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills.
• Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Safety & Compliance

• Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations.
• Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk for 90% of shift, climb as needed.
• Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement.

Teamwork, Communication & Leadership

• Effective communication with co‑workers, supervisors, and others at the worksite in English.
• Understand oral and written instructions and communicate in writing as needed.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members.

Personal Attributes & Work Ethic

• Positive attitude, dependable, self‑motivated, and willing to work overtime or weekends as needed.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequently climb, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach, twist, turn, and stoop.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. frequently.
• Good hand‑eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision.
• Normal hearing and vision, including ability to distinguish colors for color‑coded containers.
• Must wear all required PPE according to company policies and leadership instructions.
• Adhere to all safety policies, including lock‑out/tag‑out, safe lifting techniques, and others.
• Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations depending on area assigned.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management.

EEO Statement

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. As a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.