KPP MACHINE OPERATOR - 1st shift

KEYSTONE POTATO PRODUCTS, LLC

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title:  Machine Operator                

Department Title:  Production

Reports To:  Production Manager/Shift Supervisor

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for the daily operation of the process equipment that converts raw potatoes into dehydrated flakes and/or fresh cut various cuts and sizes to insure an excellent grade of food product that meets customer’s specifications in a timely, efficient, and safe manner.

1.               The demonstrated ability to communicate between management and fellow employees.

2.               The demonstrated ability to possess good problem solving skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Effectively learn and safely operate all machinery, computers, and processes required to successfully produce good product.
   1. Fresh Cut – demonstrate the ability to operate the peeler, cutter (Urschel), sliver remover, optical sorter, cooling tunnel, conveyors and packaging equipment.
   2. Dehy- demonstrate the ability to understand the dehy process by controlling the peeler, brush machine, slicer, blancher, cooler, cooker, ricer, drums, Kadent blades, augers and packaging equipment.
   3. Fresh Pack- Have knowledge of or be capable of learning the computerized set up of the automatic bagging machines.  Have a working knowledge of the operation of assigned bagging machine.

·       As specified by orders from Production Manager, set up machines with proper bags and Kwik-locks.

·       Responsible for seeing that all orders are filled in a timely manner.

·       Keep machines clean and in good working order.  Be able to perform general machine maintenance including rethreading needles and fixing stuck kwik-loks.

·       Obtain needed bags from bag storage, keep track of number of bags used, and return unused bags to storage or store unused bags properly. Keep bags and bag racks clean and orderly.  Inform bag Inventory Control manager if the inventory of certain labels is becoming low. This task is shared with Forklift Operators.

·       Help personnel who are filling master bags and stacking and identify/report any issues or concerns.

·       Ability to operate floor jack.

·       Read and understand orders on board. Notify supervisor if something needs clarified.

·       Identify low product and/or packaging and inform appropriate personnel.

·       Complete proper change overs with correct packaging.

·       Clean out product and identify what is to follow.

·       Coordinate with Supervisor schedule to ensure packing line personnel in cleaning up work area, blowing loose debris off machine with air hose, sweeping and cleaning heavily soiled areas with water as needed, disposing of empty bag containers.

·       Alert maintenance and inform supervisor of machinery breakdowns or mechanical errors.

·       Clean out the weigher before each new run. Ensure entire clean out before the next run.

·       Other duties as assigned. May be required to work at other company properties.

·       At times may assist with Quality Control.

·       Maintain open communication with supervisors, managers and other staff members, in order to achieve the above expectations.

1. Must adhere to company rules and follow GMP signs and maintain good personal hygiene.
2. Be capable of mixing additives for the drums, and controlling flow of additives to finish product.
3. Able to work and learn in a team environment and communicate well with fellow employees
4. Maintain open communication between Production Manager, Lead Operator, Lab, and fellow employees
   1. Communicate with Manager, Lead Operator and Lab, such as too much or too little mash, cooking problems with potatoes; too sticky, to dry, excessive skipping of blades, etc. (Dehy)
   2. Must be able to communicate with Lab (Quality) to prevent out of grade situations and correct the problem if this occurs.
   3. Communicate with Manager, Lead Operator and Lab, raw product potato quality, processing issues, machine breakdowns, etc.
5. Capable of shoveling mash to assure even distribution of mash on applicator rolls.
6. Work assignments in other production areas may be required at times.  This may include, but not limited to; shipping and receiving, packaging, sanitation, and maintenance.
7. Flexibility-able and willing to perform tasks at all levels (from sweeping floors to operation the production process)
8. Assist in any maintenance problems, or production problems which may occur during process line operations.
9. Required to assist in maintaining the cleanliness of the entire plant.
10. Responsible to clean and sterilize all augers on the process line at the end of each production run.
11. Assist in all aspects of clean up at the end of each production run.
12. Always strive to produce an excellent grade of food product in a safe environment.
13. May require working on a Saturday and/or Sunday to accommodate customer needs.

Required Skills:

1. General machine operating experience.
2. Computer literate.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

This description is intended to include the general content and requirements for the performance of the job.  It is not intended to be considered as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

1. Please indicate the percentage of time that is spent while fulfilling this position’s duties in a typical year.

Out of 100%:             10 % Sitting   50   %Walking         40% Standing

1. In an 12 hour workday, the incumbent would:

1. Are there any working conditions – such as noise, temperature extremes, odors, etc. – involved in the job which might be described as uncomfortable or disagreeable?

REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

1.               Hearing Protection

2.               Proper Footwear

APPROVALS:

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