Production Floor Trainer - Lead Operator Training & Safety

Catania Oils; Ayer (MA); On-site; USD 44,083 - 49,593; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits

Team-oriented culture

Safety and training focus

On-site workplace

Job summary

Catania Oils, a long‑standing, family‑owned edible oils producer in Ayer, MA, is hiring a Production Floor Trainer to lead hands‑on training for 2nd and 3rd shift operators. You will cover equipment setup, changeovers, troubleshooting, and standardized work while upholding safety and quality standards.

You’ll develop cross‑training plans, mentor employees, and collaborate with Maintenance and Plant Leadership to improve reliability, efficiency, and overall performance on the production floor.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, some college or higher learning preferred.
• Three to five years of manufacturing experience, including at least two years operating multiple packaging or production lines.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand equipment operation and perform basic troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, GMPs, HACCP principles, and food safety practices.
• Ability to train employees with varying levels of experience and work effectively across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Sanitation, Safety/EHS.
• Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and organized training documentation.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs and access production platforms as required.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and noisy production environments and wear all required PPE.

Responsibilities

• Provide structured, hands-on training to new and existing employees on equipment setup, startup, operation, shutdown, cleaning, product changeovers, basic troubleshooting, work instructions, SOPs, and standardized work.
• Train employees on filling equipment, capping systems, labeling machines, date coding equipment, vision inspection systems, case packers, palletizers, conveyors, retail and industrial packaging lines, and related support equipment.
• Evaluate operator knowledge and hands-on competency; certify employees before independent operation and coordinate refresher training or retraining when required.
• Develop and support cross-training plans that improve workforce flexibility; identify skill gaps and mentor employees during their transition to independent operation.
• Adapt training methods to employees with varying experience levels, learning styles, and language needs while maintaining consistent performance standards.
• Collaborate with plant leadership to develop, update, and maintain work instructions, one-point lessons, job aids, and other production training materials.
• Under the direction of the Director of Safety teach and reinforce safe work practices, required PPE, Lockout/Tagout procedures, OSHA requirements, GMPs, HACCP principles, allergen controls, and food safety practices.
• Observe work behaviors, correct unsafe practices immediately, and report or elevate hazards and safety concerns through the appropriate channels.
• Ensure trainees understand equipment-specific hazards, required inspections, and the proper response to abnormal or unsafe conditions.
• Support new-employee onboarding, production line startups, product changeovers, and the implementation of new equipment, processes, or work methods.
• Spend the majority of the workday on the production floor observing operators and providing immediate coaching to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and consistency.
• Partner with Maintenance during equipment training and help employees distinguish routine operator adjustments from conditions requiring maintenance support.
• Reinforce standardized best practices that reduce startup and changeover downtime, prevent operator errors, minimize waste, and improve reliability.
• Participate in problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement activities that strengthen workforce capability and operating performance.
• Provide production support during staffing shortages when assigned, without compromising essential training responsibilities, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Some college

Job description

Catania Oils, a long‑standing, family‑owned edible oils producer in Ayer, MA, is hiring a Production Floor Trainer to lead hands‑on training for 2nd and 3rd shift operators. You will cover equipment setup, changeovers, troubleshooting, and standardized work while upholding safety and quality standards.

You’ll develop cross‑training plans, mentor employees, and collaborate with Maintenance and Plant Leadership to improve reliability, efficiency, and overall performance on the production floor.