Production Machine Operator II - 1st shift 6AM-4:30PM

Company Information

At Richelieu Foods, we are dedicated to a culture of belonging for everyone. Driven by our values of ownership, respect, and growth, we put people, safety, and quality above all else -- delicious pizza, outstanding service, and solid customer relationships are what happens as a result.

Richelieu Foods, Inc. is a leading national private label and contract packing food manufacturer focused on frozen pizza. We have two manufacturing facilities located in IL and WI. We provide products to many national retailers, wholesalers, distributors, club and mass stores, as well as industrial accounts including other food manufacturers.

Job Summary

The Machine Operator II independently operates assigned production equipment in accordance with established safety, quality, food safety, and production standards. Examples of equipment assigned to this role may include, but are not limited to, cartoners, case packers, scales, cheese machines, wrapping equipment, and other complex production equipment. This position performs equipment setup, operation, monitoring, troubleshooting, documentation, and sanitation activities while maintaining production efficiency and product quality. The Machine Operator II also trains Machine Operators and supports continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Independently operate assigned production equipment, including complex production equipment, in accordance with established production schedules, operating procedures, and quality standards.

• Perform assigned duties in accordance with company safety policies, food safety requirements, GMPs, SOPs, and established quality standards, and promptly report unsafe conditions or food safety concerns to the Production Leadership Team.

• Perform required product inspections and make routine process adjustments to maintain product quality and compliance with established standards.

• Perform routine equipment adjustments and minor mechanical adjustments within established operating procedures to maintain production efficiency.

• Troubleshoot routine equipment and process issues, initiate diagnosis of equipment failures, and communicate diagnostic findings to the Production Leadership Team and Maintenance as appropriate.

• Maintain process control paperwork and accurately document production activities, including line downtime, in company production systems.

• Inspect assigned equipment for sanitation compliance prior to operation and promptly report any deficiencies or concerns to the Production Leadership Team.

• Identify operational issues and recommend solutions to improve safety, quality, equipment performance, or production efficiency.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in accordance with established housekeeping standards.

• Wear and properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with company policies and assigned job duties.

• Perform equipment setup, changeovers, and breakdown activities in accordance with established operating procedures.

• Start, stop, reset, and troubleshoot production equipment to minimize downtime and promptly escalate unresolved issues.

• Train Machine Operators in accordance with established training requirements.

• Coordinate line staffing by reassigning employees as needed to maintain production coverage during breaks, absences, and other operational needs.

• Provide cross-functional support and coverage for Machine Operator I and Machine Operator II positions as required to meet business needs.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support production operations.

• Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• One (1) year to three (3) years of experience operating production machinery.

• Previous experience in a food manufacturing or food packaging environment.

• Experience operating multiple pieces of production equipment, including complex production machinery.

• Experience performing equipment changeovers and routine troubleshooting.

• Experience training or mentoring production employees.

• Experience participating in continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment.

• Preferred Qualifications

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers in a manufacturing environment.

• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written work instructions.

• Ability to read, understand, and accurately complete required production, quality, food safety, and GMP documentation written in English.

• Ability to troubleshoot routine equipment and process issues and perform minor equipment adjustments.

• Ability to train Machine Operators in accordance with established training procedures.

• Ability to pay close attention to detail and collaborate effectively as part of a team.

• Basic math skills sufficient to perform production calculations and accurately complete required production records.

• Ability to follow established safety, food safety, GMP, and company operating procedures.

• Ability to work extra time as required to meet business needs.

Working Conditions

This role requires 100% onsite attendance to perform the essential functions of the role.

• Work is performed in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment.