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 companys 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. 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 for the latest news.

Its an exciting time in pet food! Post Holdings, Inc., recently announced an agreement to acquire Perfection Pet Foods, a leading manufacturer of private label and co-manufactured pet food and baked treats. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of the calendar year in 2023. This role is part of the Perfection Pet Foods team of 250 employees who will soon join the Post family to help grow the pet food business.

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 Californias 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.

Basic Function:

This is an entry-level position responsible for strict compliance with Food Safety and Quality Management System Policies, Procedure, and Work Instructions. Performs daily process checks to ensure the integrity of each batch of product.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Use established procedures to perform laboratory activities to include, but not limited to, analytical testing and sensory evaluation
• Perform process checks throughout the raw ingredients, production, packaging, sanitation, warehouse, and shipping areas of the company (e.g. pre-operational checks, sanitation verification, raw ingredient testing, finished product testing, and packaging checks).
• Work in a fast paced manufacturing environment and make key product quality
• Maintain accurate and organized records of QA
• Restock lab supplies and track
• Perform air testing, PRP Verification, glass/hard plastic checks, and take swabs and
• Perform audits throughout shift to ensure high quality and food safety requirements are
• Provide a high level of support to the next customer/person in line
• React to any deviations for Critical Control Limits
• Complete and comply with the Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS), HACCP procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Maintain a food-safe sanitary environment at all
• Complete records/quality checks with accuracy
• Escalate any non-conforming product/equipment/material to the appropriate manager/supervisor
• Assist in training of plant personnel to ensure ability they can perform all the Quality Assurance functions with minimal guidance/support
• Follow Companys quality assurance procedures and protocols at all times while on duty (eg. Labeling of containers, Inventory Control, PM programs)
• Promote a positive proactive environment where input from team members is valued
• Report any security breaches, attempts at product tampering or contamination, or other suspicious behavior observed to manager/supervisor
• Available for overtime work on a scheduled or call-in basis
• Other duties as assigned by the manager/supervisor

Education/Experience : A high school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Food Science or related field is a plus
• 1 years experience in a quality lab environment preferred with experience in a food manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of GMPs.

Skills:

• Strong ability to communicate in English effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Attention to detail.
• Highly self-motivated and responsible.
• Ability to follow documented processes.
• Ability to multi-task and maintain a high level of accuracy; 10 key (weigh master experience preferred).
• Safely operate a forklift and other mechanical equipment.

Physical Requirements :

• Regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to and including 50 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing greater than 50 pounds.
• Regularly stand and walk throughout plant.
• Occasionally climb ladders and work at heights of 100 feet.
• Regularly use close visual acuity/color vision to prepare and analyze data and figures, read lab equipment, and detect product defects.

Environment:

• Regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts/machinery.
• Regularly exposed to major amounts of dust.
• Regularly exposed to moderate to severe noise levels.
• Regularly exposed to outdoor/uncontrolled weather conditions.
• Occasionally exposed to chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

Note: Valid Drivers 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 $19.00 to $21.25 per hour, dependent on experience.

We offer competitive benefit plans and programs to eligible employees, including but not limited to:

• Medical
• Prescription drug
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Disability coverage
• Employee assistance programs (includes counseling, coaching, online programs, etc.)
• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

At Post Consumer Brands, we are genuinely committed to diversity , equity, AND inclusion and understand that the presence of diversity alone does not create an inclusive and equitable workplace. Furthermore, our commitment to DEI is rooted in our values and how we work. Our DEI Advisory Committee works to bring our beliefs and commitments to life through our four focus pillars: Community, Workforce, Workplace, and Marketplace.