Cook Operator

SUMMARY: The purpose of this position is to be responsible for the various stages of ethanol and distiller’s grains production, such as monitoring plant operations, taking product samples, and keeping the production area clean, as well as learning, understanding, and retaining the ethanol manufacturing process, while supporting the policies, goals, and objectives of the company.   This position will sustain the Mission and Motto and Food Safety and Quality Statement of Amber Wave. 

PRIMARY WORK SHIFT: Works shift as assigned. Works overtime as required. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Follow all food and personal safety rules and regulations in respect to GMP’s, OSHA, HACCP, the Global Food Safety Initiative, the US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act as stated in the FS&Q Statement, and sanitation guidelines as set forth by the company as listed in Corporate Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) and attend all required training sessions. Maintain the department/facility in an everyday audit-ready condition.

• Responsible for collecting and analyzing samples throughout the Ethanol Process, documenting results, and reporting any findings to the shift supervisor.   
• Perform activities relating to processing functions such as hammer mills management, slurry tank operations, yeast, and fermentation.   
• Maintain documentation and record key production data as directed.
• Operate various types of mobile equipment.
• Keep plant facility clean and well maintained.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain a safe work environment.
• Report to the Shift Supervisor and Production Manager any analyses that are not in operating specification so changes to the process can be made.
• Performs scheduled operations work requests as requested by the shift supervisor or plant management.

• Supporting other activities and projects as assigned or dictated by business needs.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no supervisory duties.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job. 

• A minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent is required.

• Previously related plant work is preferred.
• Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment.

• Knowledge of and ability to operate Microsoft Office software, Internet, Intranet, and other computer software to complete essential duties and responsibilities.

• Ability to follow directions and Standard Operating Procedures safely. 
• Not afraid of heights. 

• Must possess the ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, memos, procedures, and plans. Ability to write, complete checklists and other basic documentation and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information or data in one-on-one and small group situations to co-workers, supervisors, and managers.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY:

Must use solid judgement when making decisions. Must have the ability to quickly recognize and plan for changing work duties and events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to perform maintenance tasks, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, twist, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more; some work is performed in heights. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:   

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to conditions that are typical to a fast-paced manufacturing environment, including moving equipment and machinery, hot/humid, and cold conditions; the employee must be willing to work in all weather conditions, at heights, and in the presence of airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment requires the use of hearing protection. Involves exposure to wheat allergens.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:   

It is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified persons seeking and continuing employment with Amber Wave. We comply with all federal and state employment opportunity laws and do not discriminate in our employment and personnel practices against any person on the basis, including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics) or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors/managers, and co-workers.