Process Operator

Ventura Foods; Opelousas (LA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

401(k) matching

Paid vacation & holidays

Profit sharing

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Ventura Foods is seeking a Process Operator in Opelousas, LA to run vegetable oil refinery processes, troubleshoot issues, and maintain quality and sanitation. You will operate crystallizing, filling and packaging equipment and follow established procedures across multiple shifts onsite.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 1+ years of processing experience in food manufacturing. Strong reading, math, mechanical aptitude and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Reading and math skills required to perform job duties.
• Mechanical aptitude with good hand–eye coordination.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Start up and monitor equipment; perform minor maintenance and sanitation as needed.
• Operate crystallizing, filling and packaging equipment to meet quality specs.
• Take process samples and adjust parameters to maintain product quality.
• Record process data and ensure safe, clean work environment.
• Follow SQF, GMPs and FSMA requirements and safety policies.

Skills

Reading & Math

Mechanical Aptitude

Communication Skills

Basic Computer Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Job description

Process Operator

Location: Opelousas, LA, US, 70570

Employment Type: Hourly
Shift: Various Shifts
Work Arrangement: Onsite

Position Summary:

The Process Operator is assigned a process upon hire and is responsible for running the process according to procedures, troubleshooting process problems, tracking process information, performing operational maintenance as needed and keeping the work place in a clean and orderly condition. Also to ensure that all products and packaging produced comply with all quality guidelines. Process Operators are responsible for running continuous vegetable oil refinery processes and/or to operate crystallizing, filling and packaging equipment in an efficient and accurate manner.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Start up and check equipment for preventative maintenance issues, proper set up, and operation. Perform minor maintenance and adjustments as needed. Perform pre-shift preparation and ensure all surfaces that contact product, i.e., piping, utensils and vessels are sanitized and ready for operation. Monitor process conditions and record conditions on process log sheet as specified in operating procedures
• Maintains operation of crystallizing and/or filling and packaging machinery to produce a quality product within customer's requirements and specifications. These include, but are not limited to processing parameters, ingredients, coding, rework, labeling, packaging, machinery set up and operations including palletizing configurations in order to process food grade oils
• Obtain process samples and make necessary process adjustments to maintain quality specifications according to process operating procedures for vegetable oil refinery processes that consists of bleaching, bulk load/unload, deodorizing, refining, waste water, acidulation, transferring oils and gauging/sampling tanks
• Performs quality checks on proper placement of lids, packaging, weights, codes and case inspections to ensure that all quality and customer specifications are met
• Read daily production schedule to determine products to be processed and know their specific requirements as well as process in the established sequence for crystallizing. Follows batch sheet without deviation while crystallizing product. Any deviation must be approved and recorded. Makes necessary approved adjustments, monitors gauges, equipment and temperatures. Keeps records of all batches made, ingredients used and processing parameters
• Perform sanitation duties according to process schedule
• Maintain satisfactory levels of processing aids and supplies
• Maintains SIS scheduling goals, documentation on production output and completes all other required paperwork, timely and accurately. Communicates any problems or issues with appropriate personnel, including at shift change with incoming machine operator
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls. Comply with all safety procedures, company policies, quality policies and procedures and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points as they apply to this position
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience
• 1 or more years of experience
• Processing experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred

Knowledge and Skills:

• Must possess good reading and math skills to accurately perform requirements of the job
• Requires mechanical aptitude with good hand and eye coordination
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong team skills
• Must possess demonstrated knowledge of basic computer systems

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you're willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs
• Hourly Base Range of$20.15 - $24.86*

*The “base hourly range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position in the specified markets. Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography. Ventura Foods conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.
Physical Demands:
All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements.
Work Environment:
Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying.
Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to:

• Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity;
• Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and
• Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Our Culture
Our Culture reflects our commitment to treating every employee with respect and creating an environment where people can do their best work. We rely on a variety of strengths, backgrounds, and experiences across our teams to help us innovate, grow, and deliver for our customers. By fostering a workplace that is supportive, collaborative, and grounded in integrity, we continue to attract strong talent and meet the high expectations of a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ventura Foods may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted tools at certain stages of our hiring process, including identifying & sourcing candidates, reviewing applications and matched candidates on job boards and websites, and generating screening questions to help us work more efficiently and consistently. We regularly review our tools to promote fairness and reduce the risk of bias. However, while these tools support our process, every hiring decision is made by a real person on our team. Applicants in the State of New York may request an alternative process by contacting us at [e-mail] .