Production Equipment Operator

Ancient Crunch; Hackettstown (NJ); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Ancient Crunch is seeking a Production Equipment Operator to safely run and monitor production equipment, ensuring product quality, food safety, and efficiency across facilities. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, able to document operations in English, and comfortable in an industrial manufacturing setting with adherence to GMP and safety procedures.

Shift is Monday–Friday with 40 hours; ability to work with supervision, QA, and maintenance to support continuous

Qualifications

• Previous manufacturing or food production experience preferred.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English; bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production equipment through HMI and control systems.
• Evaluate product quality against established specifications and production standards.
• Make operational and equipment adjustments as needed to maintain product quality and production efficiency.
• Accurately complete production, quality, downtime, and operational documentation in English.
• Monitor equipment performance and report issues to supervision or maintenance.
• Perform startup, shutdown, changeover, and operational checks as assigned.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, GMP, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas throughout the shift.
• Follow SOPs, production schedules, process parameters, and work instructions.
• Collaborate with supervisors, QA, sanitation, maintenance, and other production personnel.
• Assist with cleaning, inspections, and general operational support activities.
• Support continuous improvement efforts and operational efficiency initiatives.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

English communication

Mechanical aptitude

Attention to detail

Safety awareness

Tools

HMI control systems

Job description

Reports To: Production Manager, Production Supervisor

Location: All Company Facilities. Daily facility assignments and duties may change.

Schedule: Monday - Friday; weekend availability and a flexible working schedule are required for this 40-hour per week position. Specific shift assignments will be determined by the direct supervisor or manager and are subject to change based on evolving departmental and operational requirements.

Position Summary

The Production Equipment Operator is responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and adjusting production equipment to ensure product quality, food safety, and operational efficiency standards are consistently achieved. This role requires continuous monitoring of product quality against established specifications and making equipment adjustments as necessary to maintain compliance with company standards.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, mechanically inclined, comfortable working in an industrial manufacturing environment, and capable of accurately completing operational documentation and equipment monitoring tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production equipment through HMI and control systems
• Evaluate product quality against established specifications and production standards
• Make operational and equipment adjustments as needed to maintain product quality and production efficiency
• Accurately complete production, quality, downtime, and operational documentation in English
• Monitor equipment performance and report mechanical or operational issues to supervision or maintenance
• Perform startup, shutdown, changeover, and operational checks as assigned
• Maintain compliance with food safety, GMP, sanitation, and workplace safety requirements
• Maintain clean and organized work areas throughout the shift
• Follow all SOPs, production schedules, process parameters, and work instructions
• Work collaboratively with supervisors, QA, sanitation, maintenance, and other production personnel
• Assist with cleaning, inspections, and general operational support activities as needed
• Support continuous improvement efforts and operational efficiency initiatives

Required Skills & Competencies

• Previous manufacturing or food production experience preferred
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply, and willingness to learn Spanish is a plus.
• Comfortable operating industrial equipment and HMI/control systems
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify product quality issues
• Ability to safely make operational adjustments while following established procedures
• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability preferred
• Ability to work safely in a fast-paced industrial environment
• Ability to stand for extended periods throughout the shift
• Ability to frequently use stairs and ladders safely during normal job duties
• Ability to work around moving machinery, noise, heat, dust, and varying production conditions
• Ability to follow all PPE, safety, food safety, and company policy requirements

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry materials throughout the shift
• Ability to use stairs and ladders throughout the shift
• Ability to work in hot, humid, wet, and industrial production environments
• Ability to wear required PPE, including respirators, gloves, hearing protection, face shields, and protective clothing