At Calavo Growers, we believe quality, teamwork, good citizenship, embodying a will to win and displaying a respect for our people forms the foundation of our mission.

Position Overview:

The Production Associate works within one or more manufacturing departments to prepare fresh foods for retail sale. Responsible for USDA Paperwork will provide work with the Supervisor and Line Lead to ensure all documentation is in order. Helps keep the production areas organized, neat and clean.

This is a great opportunity to join our team and help change the food industry landscape by supplying fresh and healthy eating choices. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• At this level, tasks are often routine and repetitive within any of the food production or warehouse departments. 
• Will participate in change overs, washing down lines, sanitizing work spaces, assisting with monthly inventory counts, sorting and staging.
• Follows all GMP’s required of employees, understands USDA requirements, and ensures safe food practices are always followed.
• Responsible for working safely, lifting items properly, wearing the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and notifying a manager of employees that may need to be reminded of proper ways of working.
• Ensure quality and safety of food products by periodic inspection and review of finished products for uniformity to specifications, label integrity, presentation.
• Ensure proper cleaning and sanitation between product runs and/ or shifts, as required.
• Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.
• Performs other duties as needed

Basic Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent education.
• Previous experience working in a chilled manufacturing environment is helpful
• Ability to stand for prolonged periods while working in a chilled environment
• Good knowledge and understanding of Safe work practices common to food manufacturing
• Bilingual (Spanish / English) helpful
• Basic computer skills (Word and Excel) preferred.
• Report any mechanical problems with computers or printers
• Maintain office files & spreadsheets
• Write memos, letters and documents as necessary
• Data entry (i.e. lot code, code date, country of origin)
• Clerical support to Supervisors and Management 

Physical Requirements:

• Regularly required to talk or hear
• Frequently required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel
• Required to reach with hands and arms
• Occasionally lift and/or move between 10 and 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• Must wear personal protective equipment (hair net, cutting gloves, work sleeves, smock, and non-slip water resistant footwear)
• Work in cold and wet working environment (approx. 34 degrees) –warm clothing is advised (heavy socks, pants, jacket, head covering, etc.)
• Physical hazards of working in and about moving machinery
• Must be cognizant of body and limbs so as to not be too close to machinery

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to follow general instructions and meet daily deadlines
• Ability to apply safe work practices, GMP’s, and best practices in a food manufacturing environment
• Ability to read, comprehend and speak professionally with team members

WORK DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this Job work is primarily performed in a chilled environment. Regularly required to stand, walk, squat, stoop, bend, reach, talk or hear. Required to use hands and fingers finger, handle, lift, feel, push, or pull objects. Exerts up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently. Often required to lift and carry 10 lbs. force constantly to move objects. Exposed to chilled or warm temperatures within the operation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay Range

• The base hourly wage we reasonably expect to pay for this role is: $12
• New hires start at $12.00
• The actual hourly wage for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills and experience.
• Please note that base pay is one important aspect of a compelling Total Rewards package. The base pay range indicated here does not include any additional benefits or cash bonuses that you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type.

**This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. By the employee signature below it constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.**

“Calavo Growers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Calavo is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Calavo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Calavo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.”