Apple Packer

Job Summary

The Apple Packer is responsible to sort, size and pack apples into the appropriate container for delivery to customers. This will occur by hand, line and machine, requiring placement into a variety of containers, including, but not limited to bags, trays, and boxes. Interfacing with other departments to assure good working relations and efficient plant operations is a necessity.

All activities must be completed in accordance with legal, safety and customer standards, as well as all guidelines in the Employee Handbook. This position may be reassigned to other areas of production as necessary. Job duties may change at any time, with or without notice. This role is critical to Empire Fruit Grower’s purpose of providing high quality fruit to our customers.

Objectives

· To deliver high quality products to customers

· To provide high level service to stakeholders

· To continually develop employee skills

· To maximize apple returns to members

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

· Sort, size and pack apples

o Pack apples into bags, trays, pouches, totes and boxes according to customer specifications

o Operate packing equipment to ensure efficient line operation

o Properly identify all apple packs using provided materials

· Perform simple quality control functions

o Remove visual rot and non-apple removal (bin slats, leaves, etc.)

o Work with the Quality Control Technicians to improve apple quality knowledge

· Construct packing containers (corrugate and Reusable Plastic Containers (RPC’s))

o Hand construct boxes and RPC’s, placing them directly to the line or stacking for later use

o Operate box makers, placing them directly to the line or stacking for later use

o Break down boxes and RPC as needed

· Miscellaneous

o Operate all equipment in a safe manner

o Maintain a professional image on behalf of the company, including positive vendor, member and employee relations

o Communicate effectively with coworkers to ensure efficient production

o Ability to work in a fast paced, quickly changing, and always evolving work environment

o Willingness to learn new tasks and support in all functional areas

o Ensure a clean, safe environment for all visitors, employees, and products

o Adhere to food safety requirements, which are trained at orientation and throughout the season

o Comply with quality policies and procedures, provided at orientation and throughout the season

o Complete other duties, as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

· Effective interpersonal communication skills

· Sharp attention to detail

· Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision

· Flexibility to work overtime and weekends, as required

· Compliance with all policies detailed in the Employee Handbook

Preferred:

· Prior experience in a production setting

· Prior experience with production equipment and machinery

· Knowledge of quality assurance practices

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Regularly required to stand; walk; bend; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and smell.

· Hand and finger dexterity required to perform some essential functions

· Regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 45 pounds unassisted

· Ability to stand for long periods of time

· Ability to withstand humid, hot and cool temperatures in a production area

· Regularly exposed to food safe and non-food safe chemicals and toxins

Benefits/Compensation

Paid Sick Leave:

Paid Sick Leave (NYSPSL) is accrued at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum accrual of 40 hours each fiscal year (Aug 1-July 31). Please see the Employee Handbook for additional information.

Holiday Time:

Two (2) paid Holidays, eligible immediately upon hire. Holiday pay for non-exempt employees is calculated based on the employee's straight time pay rate (as of the date of the holiday), equivalent to the number of hours the employee would have otherwise worked on that day. Holiday pay is not counted for the purpose of calculating an employee's overtime hours of work or overtime premiums. Please see the Employee Handbook for additional information and specific holidays.

Employee Bonus Plan:

All employees are eligible to participate in the Empire Fruit Growers Employee Bonus Plan. This is a discretionary bonus plan, which pays employees up to $500 per packing season based on meeting performance goals defined by the Company.

Retirement Benefits:

We partner with Lyons National Bank to offer a Simple IRA. Employees can contribute any amount, based on compliance with plan rules. After 12 months of employment, Empire Fruit Growers will match employee contributions by up to 3%.

Employee and Employer Support Services (EESS):

An Employee Assistance Program is available to employees and their family members who may need help with personal or behavioral problems. Our EAP provides free support sessions for employees and their households/dependents.

Supplemental Insurance:

Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. They include, but are not limited to, voluntary life, short-term disability, dental and vision insurance.

Pay: $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17