Food Production Specialist

Job Summary

Janus Food Group is seeking dependable and motivated Production Team Members to join our food manufacturing and packaging operation. Production Team Members are responsible for safely and efficiently performing a variety of production, processing, packaging, batching, cooking, retort, and sanitation activities.

Employees may be assigned to different areas of the production facility based on business needs, qualifications, training, and experience. Successful team members must be able to follow written instructions and production specifications, operate equipment, maintain accurate records, and consistently follow all food safety, quality, sanitation, and personal safety requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production, processing, cooking, packaging, batching, and related equipment safely and efficiently.
• Follow formulas, recipes, production specifications, work instructions, and established procedures.
• Accurately measure, weigh, and add ingredients according to approved formulations.
• Operate industrial kettles, packaging equipment, retort systems, and other production machinery as assigned.
• Monitor equipment and production processes to ensure products meet established specifications.
• Read and record temperatures, flow rates, times, pressures, product codes, lot numbers, and other required information.
• Perform quality checks and pull samples for Quality Assurance, customers, and required product records.
• Inspect products, packaging, case codes, and finished goods for accuracy and quality.
• Make routine equipment adjustments and changes as trained and authorized.
• Perform changeovers and assist with equipment setup and production line changes.
• Palletize and handle finished product and materials.
• Load and unload racks, equipment, and production materials as required.
• Assist other production areas and team members as needed to maintain efficient production.
• Complete batch sheets, production records, checklists, and other required paperwork accurately and legibly.
• Maintain accurate records of ingredients, lot numbers, testing results, production information, and inventory as required.
• Clean and sanitize production equipment, utensils, work areas, floors, conveyors, and other facility areas according to established procedures.
• Disassemble and reassemble equipment as required for cleaning and sanitation.
• Properly handle and use cleaning chemicals, tools, and sanitation equipment.
• Protect electrical panels and other sensitive equipment during sanitation activities.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Complete all required training and demonstrate competency in assigned tasks and equipment.
• Communicate equipment, product, quality, safety, or food safety concerns to supervision promptly.
• Follow all company policies, procedures, and work instructions.

Food Safety & Quality

Food safety and product quality are the foundation of everything we do. Every employee is responsible for ensuring that food safety and quality are prioritized in every task.

Production Team Members are expected to:

• Follow all GMP, PPE, CCP, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.
• Follow established USDA and company food safety and sanitation procedures.
• Properly document required production and food safety information.
• Report contamination risks, product concerns, equipment issues, or other food safety concerns immediately.
• Maintain sanitary conditions throughout the production process.
• Take responsibility for correcting unsafe or unsanitary conditions and notifying supervision when necessary.

Personal Safety

Personal safety is equally important. Employees are expected to perform their duties in a physically safe manner and follow all company safety procedures.

Employees should never allow an unsafe situation to continue. Correct yourself, correct others, and make supervision aware of unsafe conditions.

Qualifications & Skills

• Previous food manufacturing, packaging, production, or industrial experience is preferred but not required for all positions.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to read and understand production documents, formulas, procedures, and specifications.
• Basic math skills, including the ability to measure and calculate quantities used in food production.
• Ability to accurately record information and maintain required paperwork.
• Ability to learn and operate production equipment and computerized/HMI controls.
• Ability to use measurements and make basic adjustments to equipment as trained.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize food safety, personal safety, quality, and production requirements.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Must be able to safely traverse the production facility.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Team lifting is required for items weighing more than 50 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stretch, and work in various positions as required to perform job duties.
• Must be able to use hands to handle tools, materials, ingredients, equipment, and products.
• Must have sufficient vision to read labels, codes, gauges, measurements, and production documents.
• Must be able to work around moving mechanical equipment.
• Must be able to work in environments with varying temperatures, including areas of extreme heat and cold.
• The production environment may be loud, and appropriate hearing protection and other PPE must be worn as required.

Work Environment

This is an on-site position in a food manufacturing and packaging facility. Employees may work around production machinery, industrial cooking equipment, packaging equipment, chemicals used for sanitation, wet floors, varying temperatures, and elevated noise levels.

Employees are expected to follow all company safety, food safety, sanitation, PPE, and operational procedures at all times.