Production Operator, Blue Buffalo

Are you looking to feel valued at a company?

About Blue Buffalo Heartland:

“Love them like family, feed them like family.” Everything at Blue Buffalo starts with this simple idea.

This is an exciting time to join the Blue Buffalo family, as the company is on a journey to revolutionize relationships with Pet Parents. Our Heartland Independence facility manufactures a variety of dog treats. The Pet segment is unique in the General Mills’ portfolio because of the deep integration with the business and Supply Chain. There truly is no place like BLUE.

We are looking for buffs who come to the table with a shared passion for making food the world loves, to solve problems and shape General Mills - Blue Buffalo for the future. As a part of our manufacturing group, you will be responsible for supporting all departments within general production.

General Mills – Blue Buffalo encourages growth for our employees. We encourage continuous learning and engaging in a culture of belonging. If you want to learn new things, attain and prove competency quickly, and apply technology in the manufacturing space, then BLUE is for you.

Production Operator  

What your compensation will look like:

• $19.75 per hour
• $1000 Sign On Bonus ($100 after 1st week, $400 after 90 days, $500 after 6 months)
• Shift differential
  • Additional $.50 per hour for hours worked on 2nd shift
  • Additional $1.00 per hour for hours worked on 3rd shift
• Up to 15 days (120 hours) of vacation a year and 11 paid company holidays
• Great paid time off benefits
• 401(k) match
• Health Insurance including medical, dental, vision and life
• Pet Parent Perks including pet insurance and pet adoption reimbursement
• And much more

What your day will look like:

• Creating high quality pet treats that are eaten NATIONWIDE
• Using TECHNOLOGY in an industry-leading facility
• Working with operators on EXPERIENCED teams with new Buffs that are willing and eager to learn
• CHALLENGING yourself to get the JOB DONE RIGHT and gain skills
  • Participate in start-up, change over, and shut down of operating equipment
  • Identify quality concerns with the product
  • Engage in conversation with supervisors and team leads to improve efficiencies
  • Understanding the daily production schedule and helping to obtain the daily goals
  • ONE BLUE – Teamwork, respecting individuals, fostering the Herd culture

What your schedule will look like:

• 8-hour shifts (Monday through Friday and Saturdays (due to business need))
  • 1st: 5:45 am to 2:30 pm  
  • 2nd: 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm
  • 3rd: 10:00 pm to 6:30 am  
• Ability and willingness to work overtime and Saturdays
• Plant operation is 24 hours a day, 6 days per week

What your growth will look like:

• Be a part of a team that will learn and grow
• Develop leadership skills, that will allow you to focus on new KNOWLEDGE and ability to adopt and implement those ideas
• Ability to operate within a safety culture
• Expanded technical capabilities

What you have to offer:

• Minimum of a high school education or GED preferred
• Experience in a manufacturing/production environment preferred

Physical requirements:

• Must be able to lift and push/pull to 50 lbs
• Must be able to perform physical tasks for extended periods of time including standing, walking, climbing, bending, pushing, pulling, and twisting over surfaces
• Ability to climb and/or work at heights while utilizing stairs, ladders, personnel lifts, or platforms
• Ability to wear protective clothing and equipment such as safety shoes, face masks, safety glasses, hearing protection, a hard hat, a hair/beard net, and gloves when required
• Willing and able to adhere to all grooming requirements necessary for a food manufacturing environment
• Ability to work in hot, cold, noisy, dusty, wet environmental working conditions
• Willing to work around industrial high-speed moving machinery
• Ability to work with allergens that might be present in a food environment

COVID-19 considerations:

The health and safety of our employees – and the food we make – is our top priority. We were an early adopter in instituting protection measures in our plants during the pandemic and continue to    implement a number of safety precautions to protect our employees. 

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.

Salary : $20 - $1,000