Slurry/Feed Operator

KLN Family Brands

Delano (MN)

On-site

USD 50,000 - 60,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay

Paid Time Off

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401K with company match

Job summary

KLN Family Brands is seeking a Slurry / Feed Operator for the 2nd shift (3PM – 1AM, Monday–Thursday) at our Minnesota facility. The role involves preparing and mixing slurry for pet and human food production, following formulas, operating mixers, ensuring quality and sanitation, and maintaining safety and GMP standards.

Responsibilities include following production schedules, communicating with extrusion teams, recording parameters, and training new staff.

Qualifications

General mathematical ability
Self-motivation
Ability to learn, memorize and execute procedures
Good hand–eye coordination
Willingness to get along with others
Good judgement and reasoning abilities
Basic leadership skills
Can lift up to 60+ pounds
Ability to drive a forklift and pass certification exam

Responsibilities

Review and follow daily production schedule verifying against product information sheets for accuracy
Communicate with extruded personnel as to which slurry flavor should be used for their immediate production needs
Coordinate with Shift Supervisor to verify which tanks to use for liquid storage of hydro products
Communicate with dry extrusion personnel as to which digest tanks should be used for their immediate production needs
Check all processing scales at the start of each shift with certified weights; notify maintenance if scale is off
Operate slurry mixers, digest mixers and hydro mixers and monitor ancillary equipment to meet quality specs
Visually inspect and save samples for final analysis in Quality Control Lab
Record operation parameters and turn in at end of shift
Batch and record all liquid slurry, digest and hydro batches for each run
Monitor slurry/digest/hydro formulas for color/odor; report anything out of spec
Understand bulk liquid controls and operations
Switch minor ingredient totes and operate liquid room controls
Clean systems as needed between runs and end of schedule
Calibrate process flow monitors prior to each run
Daily cleanup and weekly sanitation of slurry/digest/hydro areas
Notify maintenance of unusual noises or failures
Train new departmental employees
Perform sanitation duties at the line
Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Skills

General mathematical ability

Self-motivation

Learn/execute procedures

Hand–eye coordination

Team player

Judgement/Reasoning

Leadership basics

Lift 60+ pounds

Forklift certification

Job description

Our Story
KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

2nd Shift
3PM - 1AM (Monday - Thursday)
$24.17 /HR + 6% Shift Differential
Our Story KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.
At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”
Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.
The Opportunity
Slurry / Feed Operator

What is a Slurry Operator?
Responsible for preparing and mixing slurry used in pet food production by following product formulas, operating mixing and processing equipment, and monitoring the process to ensure product quality and consistency. Performs ingredient verification, process and quality checks, production documentation, equipment cleaning, and sanitation. Follows GMP, food safety, safety, and PPE requirements while working closely with Production and Quality teams to maintain safe and efficient operations.

Responsibilities
Essential Duties:

Review and follow daily production schedule verifying against their product information sheets for accuracy
Communicate with extruded personnel as to which slurry flavor should be used for their immediate production needs
Coordinate with Shift Supervisor to verify which tanks to use for liquid storage of hydro products.
Communicate with dry extrusion personnel as to which digest tanks should be used for their immediate production needs.
Check all processing scales at the start of each shift with certified weights, if scale is off, notify maintenance – Inform Shift Supervisor
Operate slurry mixers, digest mixers and hydro mixers and monitor ancillary equipment to produce products that meet the desired specifications set forth by the Quality Assurance Department
Visually inspect and save samples throughout all runs to be taken to the Quality Control Lab for final analysis
Responsible to record operation parameters and turn in at the end of each shift
Batch and record all liquid slurry, digest and hydro batches required for each run and turn in at the end of each shift
Monitor all slurry, digest and hydro formulas presented to them for color, odor and grind. Notifying supervisor of anything that looks out of specification
Understand bulk liquid controls and operations
Able to switch minor ingredient totes and operate liquid room controls
Cleaning systems as required between production runs and end of schedule
Calibrate process flow monitors prior to each run
Daily clean up and weekly sanitation of slurry, digest and hydro areas
Notify maintenance of any unusual equipment noises or failures
Train new departmental employees
Perform all sanitation duties needed at the line
Other duties as assigned by supervisor