Confectionary Processing Operator (1st/2nd/3rd Shifts)

Cibo Vita; Totowa (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits

Life Insurance

401K

PTO

Company Paid Holidays

Career advancement and training

Job summary

Cibo Vita, located in Totowa, NJ, is seeking an experienced Senior Operator to manage continuous cooking processes within a food manufacturing setting. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of relevant experience and a strong mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting equipment.

The position offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, 401K, and opportunities for career advancement. Cibo Vita is dedicated to enhancing lives with health-conscious products, promoting an environment of innovation and quality.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food manufacturing equipment operation.
• Experience with continuous cooking systems and vacuum cookers.
• Ability to monitor process parameters and respond to alarms.

Responsibilities

• Operate continuous cooking systems under high temperature and vacuum.
• Monitor alarms and process trends to maintain efficiency.
• Coordinate with teams to minimize downtime.

Skills

Industrial cooking or processing equipment operation

Mechanical troubleshooting

Understanding of HMI/PLC systems

Knowledge of GMP and food safety practices

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Job description

Job Description

About Us: Cibo Vita is a leading innovator in the wellness and nutrition sector, dedicated to enhancing lives through premium, health‑conscious products. We compete in a range of snacking and confection categories, including fruit snacks, dried fruit, snack nuts, and trail mixes. Our diverse portfolio includes several owned brands and a robust private‑label business, supporting top‑tier retail partners across the U.S.

Position Summary: Experienced Senior Operators to manage and monitor continuous cooking processes operating under high temperature and vacuum conditions in a food manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate should have strong process awareness, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to troubleshoot equipment while maintaining production, quality, and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor continuous cooking systems running under high temperature and vacuum conditions.
• Follow and control process parameters through HMI/SCADA screens and machine interfaces.
• Monitor alarms, process trends, temperatures, pressures, vacuum levels, flow rates, and cooking conditions.
• Perform routine process adjustments to maintain product consistency and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot process deviations, mechanical issues, and equipment alarms.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Quality, and Production teams to minimize downtime.
• Conduct startup, shutdown, cleaning, and changeover activities safely and efficiently.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, and company safety procedures.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to process optimization and equipment performance.
• Train and support junior operators when needed.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience operating industrial cooking or processing equipment in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience with continuous cooking systems, vacuum cookers, kettles, thermal processing, or similar high‑temperature process equipment.
• Ability to understand and monitor process parameters through HMI/PLC systems.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience responding to machine alarms and process deviations independently.
• Good understanding of pumps, valves, piping systems, vacuum systems, heat transfer, and process flow.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced production environment with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of GMP, food safety, and workplace safety practices.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with vacuum cooking systems, fruit processing, confectionery, pectin‑based products, or thermal processing operations.
• Basic understanding of PLC‑controlled systems and industrial automation.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Leadership or senior operator experience preferred.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Process‑oriented and detail‑focused.
• Mechanically inclined with strong troubleshooting capability.
• Able to make quick operational decisions during process deviations.
• Comfortable working around hot surfaces, vacuum systems, pumps, and industrial processing equipment.
• Strong ownership mentality and accountability on the production floor.

What do we offer

• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Life Insurance
• 401K
• PTO
• Company Paid Holidays
• Career advancement and training

Cibo Vita is a CPG manufacturer located in Totowa, NJ, with a focus on high‑quality, innovative, “better for you” snacks. Cibo Vita primarily operates under its flagship brand, Nature’s Garden, which has a national presence.