Manufacturing Operator - Extrusion PM Shift

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company's portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats™, PEBBLES™, Grape-Nuts™ and Malt-O-Meal™ cereal and Peter Pan™ peanut butter, as well as Rachael Ray® Nutrish™, Kibbles 'n Bits™ and 9Lives™ dog and cat food. Post also provides private label solutions to customers in pet food, cereal, nut butters and granola. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook for the latest news.

Post Consumer Brands recently acquired several iconic pet food brands, venturing into a new market while remaining true to our purpose to provide delicious and accessible food that our consumers love. We’re always searching the center store for the next exciting product to add to our portfolio, and right now, we’re growing and need passionate, driven individuals with diverse perspectives to help us reach greater heights. That’s where you come in. Join a team where your voice is not only heard but valued. Make a real impact on brands enjoyed by millions of people and their pets.

Visalia, CA is home to 360,000 square feet of manufacturing, packaging, warehouse, and office space. Approximately 250 employees work here, utilizing the latest technologies and systems, capable of producing extensive, diverse, and innovative pet food products. Visalia is in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the gateway to Sequoia National Park, part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It also has a minor league baseball team, the Visalia California Oaks, and several colleges and universities.

Purpose:  

Operates and monitors production equipment, shipping, receiving, finished product storage or staging materials and supply replenishment. Identifying and correcting routine and repetitive upset conditions. Requires good decision making skills while performing daily tasks and working safely around and/or operating moving equipment. May be a temporary or FT position. FT employees are required to be proficient in supporting the entire line/all equipment.  Support, implement, and maintain food safety, food safety culture, and quality practices as required through SQF.   

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Operates and monitors production and distribution equipment and process. 

• Ensures all required materials/ingredients are staged and available appropriately. 

• Supports timely and efficient change overs on equipment. 

• Responds safely to upset conditions, diverts product, clears jams, starts and stops, and recognizes failure patterns and adjusts or requests resources, and communicates appropriately. 

• Supports root cause analysis process and implementation of corrective actions following upset conditions.   

• Maintains basic knowledge and understanding of SQF requirements. 

• Learns, supports and performs Basic Equipment Care (BEC) tasks accurately and on time. 

• Loads/changes packaging materials into required equipment, and starts and stops basic system operation. 

• Follows established SOP’s and Food Safety requirements. 

• Operates Material Handling/inventory management equipment, such as scan guns, forklifts, pallet jacks, scissor lifts, etc. in a safe manner. 

• Supports cleaning of production equipment, following GMP and food safety requirements. 

• Records production data required for measuring waste, downtime or production efficiency, or other pertinent data as required. 

• Trains and coaches other employees learning new equipment, processes and/or procedures. 

• Completes job duties in an efficient manner that supports all plant safety, food safety, quality and environmental practices. 

• Maintains clean work areas and performs sanitation tasks.  

• May participate in special projects, assignments, and trainings. 

• Assists in other areas across the platform upon request. 

Qualifications & Competencies: 

• High School Diploma or GED. 

• 6 months to 1 year of manufacturing or related experience is a plus.     

• Mechanically inclined with the ability to learn and operate all related production equipment.   

• Ability to follow detailed work instructions or work directions. 

• Basic math and computer skills. 

• Ability to use basic hand and power tools. 

• Ability to work within a team environment and build positive professional relationships. 

• Ability to effectively communicate in both written and verbal form in English. 

• Ability to problem solve entry-level problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where standardizations/alternatives exist. 

• Ability to work scheduled shifts, standing, kneeling, climbing and walking for extended periods of the day; capable of repetitive gripping, pinching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling with weight ranges up to 50 pounds; ability to perform repeated twisting, bending and reaching of upper and lower extremities; exposure to hot and/or humid environments, heights up to 30 ft., working on ladders, and confined spaces. 

• Good work history and acceptable attendance. 

Competencies: 

• Communication Skills: Writing & Listening Skills, Training Skills 

• Execution Skills: Results Oriented, Problem Solving 

• People Skills: Team Building 

• Personal Behaviors: Flexibility & Initiative 

Post and its subsidiaries and/or affiliates require all employees to be verified through the I-9 and E-Verify process to confirm eligibility to work in the U.S. within three days of beginning employment. 

Note: Valid Driver’s License required for insurance purposes. Plant Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of this position at any time. 

Offers of employment will be determined by factors including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training and geographical location of the open position. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law. 

Pay: The pay range for this position is up to $23.25 per hour, dependent on experience.