Production Packout Lead - Line 1 - 1st & 2nd shift

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.; Carthage (MO); On-site; USD 40,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. in Carthage, MO is seeking a Production Packout Lead for 1st & 2nd shifts to run daily production lines and manage the packout area. You will operate packaging machinery, ensure correct materials, and uphold safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities include supervising the packout team, performing machine changeovers, and coordinating with maintenance on any issues. The role requires a high school diploma and forklift certification, with a focus on

Qualifications

• High school diploma preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• 1 year of experience in food manufacturing or equivalent.
• Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Reliable, self-driven with minimal supervision.
• Forklift/Palletjack certification required.

Responsibilities

• Supervises employees in the packout area.
• Comply with company policies, GMPs, code of safe practices, and SOPs.
• Check packaging materials and coding against specifications.
• Ensure products meet specifications and quality.
• Perform machine change-overs as required.
• Replenish packaging supplies and manage packaging equipment.
• Troubleshoot and communicate equipment issues to mechanics.
• Maintain HACCP compliance and sanitation between runs.
• Follow Lockout/Tagout procedures as required.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Attention to detail

Self-motivated

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Forklift/Palletjack Certification

Job description

Production Packout Lead - Line 1 - 1st & 2nd shift

US-MO-Carthage

Job ID: 2026-10120

Type: Regular Full-Time

# of Openings: 2

Carthage Plant

Overview

Operate all production machinery/equipment for daily production. Machine/equipment includes forklifts, palletizer, and conveyors, labeling equipment, metal detectors, tap machines, code daters, bagger and case/box erectors.

Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Duties, responsibilities and activities are listed in no particular order and may be changed or updated at any time with or without notice.)

• Supervises employees in the packout area
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, GMP’s code of safe practices, and SOP’s
• Check product specification to ensure correct packaging materials and raw materials are being used and coding is correct
• Continually check products to ensure that they are within specifications and of high quality
• Perform machine change-overs as required
• Replenish packaging supplies such as film, boxes, cartons, glue, ink or labels
• Make adjustments to machine as necessary and observe to detect any malfunctions
• Clear away and damaged product containers
• Keep work area clean following HACCP program
• Perform cleaning and sanitation on machines as required between products
• Perform trouble shooting, minor repairs and communicate with mechanics regarding any mechanical problems
• Have constant awareness of production flow; upstream and downstream
• Take packaging supplies from warehouse to production by using electric palletjakcs
• Install 45 to 100 pound rolls of film or boxes onto packaging machine (anything over 50 pounds use the buddy system). These rolls or bundles have to be carried 10 to 12 feet and lifted to heights of 24 to 36 inches. This is done 3-4 times a shift
• Operator has to climb stairs to top of platform to adjust equipment
• Stack 24 to 30 cases of product onto skids to heights up to 6ft
• Follows established equipment Lockout/Tagout procedures as required

Employee Safety Responsibilities:

• Report all injuries, unsafe conditions, unsafe acts and horseplay
• Use proper lifting techniques
• Use mechanical assistance (handjack, forklift, manlift)
• Use personal assistance (buddy)
• Use handrails
• Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Temperatures throughout plant average 50 degrees. Required to wear hairnet, smock, boots, ear plugs, gloves, plastic sleeves, and aprons provided by the Company. Need to comply with Food Safety: GMP’S, SSOP, SOP, HACCP, SQF, and Quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Prefer High School Diploma/GED
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in food manufacturing environment or equivalent type of manufacturing
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and written
• Reliable
• Self-driven
• Minimal Supervision
• Forklift/Palletjack Certification

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(Requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Continuously required to walk.
• Frequent standing, reaching above shoulders, body bending, hand twisting, stooping, climbing stairs, handling – gross motor, and fine motor of the fingers.
• Occasional reaching/working above shoulders, kneeling, crouching/squatting, climbing/working on ladders to heights of 8ft, pushing/pulling 100 pounds or more, lifting 100 pounds to a height of 4ft, carrying 60 pounds to a range of 20 ft. Also, on occasion, driving a forklift/palletjack.
• Will be exposed to loud industrial type environments commonly found at plants and working with power equipment.
• Varied temperatures from hot and humid to very cold.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Will the position manage others? Yes No

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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