Processing Operator

Alphia; Pittsburg (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Alphia, a food production company, seeks an extrusion operator to ensure quality products through proper equipment operation and run sheet adherence. You will set up, run, and monitor extrusion systems, support test runs, and train others in process setup as needed.

Responsibilities include handling equipment, maintaining quality attributes, and communicating with QA. A high school diploma or GED is required, with extrusion experience preferred and a safety-first mindset.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Extrusion experience preferred; machine experience may substitute.
• Team environment and goal contribution expected.
• Ability to receive and provide instructions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic math including percentages required.
• Ability to multi-task and read simple instructions.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, calibrate, operate, and monitor extruder and auxiliary equipment.
• Inspect and adjust equipment hourly to meet requirements.
• Move ingredients and products using forklift; handle up to 50-pound bags.
• Ensure paperwork accuracy and complete status reports.
• Maintain safe, clean work area and follow GMP/SOPs.
• Assist with development and QA communication with teams.
• Complete simple production reports and changeovers efficiently.

Skills

Team player

Instructions

Verbal & written communication

Basic math

Multi-tasking

Read instructions

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Hand-held scanners

Job description

JOB PURPOSE

Ensure quality products are produced through the proper operation of extrusion and related equipment. Set up equipment and produce products using run sheets and written formulas. Provide customer support for test runs of new or reformulated diets. Direct and train extrusion process and set-up skills as necessary.

• Assembles, calibrates, operates, and monitors extruder and all auxiliary equipment (pumps, micro-motions, dry coating applicator, tanks, agitators, etc) of both extrusion systems.
• Inspects and evaluates equipment hourly; adjusts equipment variables to meet equipment and product requirements.
• Frequently dumps/weighs, carries, and stacks up to 50-pound bags of ingredients and/or product
• Operates forklift and hand-held scanners to remove ingredients from inventory for use in production.
• Responsible for evaluating orders, ensuring paperwork is complete and accurate in all processing conditions, and completing status reports.
• Distinguishes colors and duplicates those colors in the extrusion process.
• Assists clients with development of products and procedures through research and development/test work.
• Establishes and maintains an effective line of communication with the quality assurance department.
• Thoroughly understands all quality assurance procedures and programs; ensures all products are within individual client specifications.
• Responsible for all product quality attributes
• Evaluates product quality attributes; makes immediate adjustments to correct products, which are found to be out of specification.
• Anticipates technical problems; proactively troubleshoots (where appropriate) and makes technical adjustments and/or notifies maintenance.
• Good working knowledge and ability to operate Meat Room, Mixing, Coating and Batching if applicable system for product runs.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe and clean work area and environment.
• Participate in a full facility and equipment clean-up between each product run as directed.
• Ensures required changeovers are completed accurately and efficiently.
• Responsible for becoming familiar with GMP’s and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for all products.
• Other duties as assigned or directed.

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

Ensure quality products are produced through the proper operation of extrusion and related equipment. Set up equipment and produce products using run sheets and written formulas. Provide customer support for test runs of new or reformulated diets. Direct and train extrusion process and set-up skills as necessary.

Description Of Essential Duties

• Assembles, calibrates, operates, and monitors extruder and all auxiliary equipment (pumps, micro-motions, dry coating applicator, tanks, agitators, etc) of both extrusion systems.
• Inspects and evaluates equipment hourly; adjusts equipment variables to meet equipment and product requirements.
• Frequently dumps/weighs, carries, and stacks up to 50-pound bags of ingredients and/or product
• Operates forklift and hand-held scanners to remove ingredients from inventory for use in production.
• Responsible for evaluating orders, ensuring paperwork is complete and accurate in all processing conditions, and completing status reports.
• Distinguishes colors and duplicates those colors in the extrusion process.
• Assists clients with development of products and procedures through research and development/test work.
• Establishes and maintains an effective line of communication with the quality assurance department.
• Thoroughly understands all quality assurance procedures and programs; ensures all products are within individual client specifications.
• Responsible for all product quality attributes
• Evaluates product quality attributes; makes immediate adjustments to correct products, which are found to be out of specification.
• Anticipates technical problems; proactively troubleshoots (where appropriate) and makes technical adjustments and/or notifies maintenance.
• Good working knowledge and ability to operate Meat Room, Mixing, Coating and Batching if applicable system for product runs.
• Responsible for maintaining a safe and clean work area and environment.
• Participate in a full facility and equipment clean-up between each product run as directed.
• Ensures required changeovers are completed accurately and efficiently.
• Responsible for becoming familiar with GMP’s and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for all products.
• Complete simple production reports
• Other duties as assigned or directed.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Education level: high school diploma and/or GED required.
• Experience: Extrusion experience is strongly preferred however, previous machine experience can be substituted
• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals.
• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in written form.
• Basic math skills include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to read and follow simple written instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

(The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The phrases “occasionally,” “regularly,” and “frequently” correspond to the following definitions: “occasionally” means up to 25% of working time, “regularly” means between 26 and 75% of working time, and “frequently” means 76% and more of working time.)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, walk, and move from place to place. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use foot/feet to operate machine, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl or reach above shoulders. The employee is frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle or touch.

The employee must exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and / or up to 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and / or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

(The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

The employee may be frequently exposed to allergens and/or airborne particles in the production area. Production employees are exposed to temperatures ranging from 50 to 100 degrees, depending on the season and workstation, and may be working near moving mechanical parts. Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions may occur.

The noise level in the work environment may be loud while production equipment is running.

Personal Protection Equipment (including, but not limited to, boots, gloves, safety glasses, and/or face shields) is required during various processes in the production area. Ear plugs and bump caps are required at all times in the production area.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

Alphia is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.