Optical Sort Programming Technician - 2nd shift

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than two decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio and almond products to processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee-oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision supports a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Optical Sort Programming Tech is a hands-on team member who is responsible for programming, making mechanical adjustments, troubleshooting operational issues, and providing direction and operation support for all optical sorting equipment. The objective of this role is to optimize the use of our optical sorting equipment to increase efficiency and limit process and equipment interruptions. The Color Sort Programmer Specialist will ensure process compliance, product quality, food safety and follow all safety practices.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Have a solid knowledge of the programming steps, capabilities, and best production practices for the optical sorting assets. (Satakes, 3U's, Qcifeyes).
• Proactively analyze QC data from the different ports on optical sorting assets, use this data to guide production on making informed decisions for improving/correcting programs.
• Perform frequent checks on optical sorting assets, report back on sorting effectiveness, cleanliness, product flow rate, and other areas of opportunity.
• Communicate with production staff about sorter quality/status to ensure that the optical sorting assets are properly cleaned/maintained.
• Help create trainings/SOPs for operators on relevant topics to maintain production's knowledge of best practices for optical sorting assets.
• Assist in the development of future sorting strategies.
• Notify supervisors/Manager or other personnel of production quality problems.
• Occasionally operate a forklift to assist with product testing.
• Connect remotely to optical sorting assets to provide support.
• Communicate any opportunities or program bugs to the technical system manager.
• All other duties as assigned based on company needs.

JOB ATTRIBUTES:

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills as well as ability to make presentations.
• Interpersonal: Ability to effectively build relationships with co-workers and outside colleagues.
• Team Involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem solving and interacts with team and work groups to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Time Management and Organization: Ability to take in, process, prioritize, and execute multiple tasks and customer needs.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to apply logical thinking to both simple and complex issues, to analyze information, and to make decisions or recommendations for solution.
• Quality and Detail Orientation: Attention to accuracy, detail, and performance of high-quality work in all aspects of job performance.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks opportunities to improve self and processes.
• Ethical: Maintain high ethical standards in every aspect of job performance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Five (5) years' production or operations experience.
• Computer Proficiency in MS Office and Excel.
• Desired experience with color sorter equipment (Sortex, Satake, etc.) in-depth look at the operational, mechanical, and technical aspects of the machine, including theory of optical sorting, machine operation, mode/product set up, machine component and fault identification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand for periods of time at workstation, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as designated by the company. Primary work environment will be in a manufacturing setting. Work will include being inside the plant manufacturing environment which may include high levels of noise and varying degrees of temperatures.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V