Process Operator I

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

Job Summary

SP Process Operator I is responsible for operating all SP room equipment to meet Safety, Quality, and Production policies and standards. The operator will perform all room functions including Production and CIP pipe changes, transfer hook ups, department cleaning (MSS), Operator Cares, and production logs (data sheets). The operator will use good time management to determine appropriate trailer swaps, break timing, and materials prep keeping the room operational to meet production schedule needs. Conducts effective communication relevant to shift and plant performance.

Essential Functions Of The Job

• Responsible for operating a forklift to move, locate, relocate, stack, rail, and count product.
• Pull and prepare product for Staging using FIFO/FEFO, ensuring that the exact number and type of product is used in an efficient manner that meets production standards
• Monitors and understand OEE and yield for improvements (operational KPIs)
• Efficiently move product from staging and/or storage areas to production area
• Operate and be accountable for the safe and efficient operation of the vehicles including Forklifts and MEWPs.
• Ensure all product ingredients are accurately labeled and free of damage, reporting any quality variances
• Keep appropriate records and reports to guarantee that inventory control and security are maintained.
• Assist in physical inventories and proper stock rotation
• Maintain all forklift inspection prior to shift with accurate documentation.
• Conducts required quality checks to ensure standards are met.
• Maintain clean and organized area around equipment.
• Maintains communications within the plant ensuring smooth shift transitions, etc.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic to moderate operating difficulties involving area equipment.
• Pack, wraps, stickers, and returns in oracle to proper locations.
• Support technicians in appropriate maintenance activities.
• Relieve other production team members for breaks and absences as required.
• Accurately prepares and maintains all area paperwork.
• Accurately prepares and maintains all area forums and data sheets in Redzone
• Participate in chats and huddles in redzone.
• Complies with Good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and Master sanitation (MSS).
• Maintains overall area housekeeping, and facility SQF efforts.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
  
  

Key Accountabilities

Safety

• Familiarizes with SDS (Safety Data Sheets), and location.
• Adheres to all plant safety rules
• Reports near misses and accidents in Redzone. Also, to the production supervisor and or HR representative
• Serves an active role the plant safety programs, by Participating in monthly safety inspections and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Management
  
  

Quality

• Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines.
• Follows SOP’s to make machine adjustments
• Follows SOP’s on truck inspection for loading and unloading
• Follows SOP’s for use of equipment for accurate product testing.
• Follows SSOPs accurately for effective CIP/COPs
• Ability to accurately titrate chemistry for verification of chemical strength
• Responsible for compliance with the HACCP & SQF program
• Must adhere to and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s)
• Responsible for accurate documentation
  
  

Maintenance

• When Maintenance is occurring in your work area, it is the expectation to assist the Maintenance Technicians in any capacity needed to expedite the repair process.
• When equipment is in a state of disrepair these items must be reported ASAP to avoid breakdowns.
  
  

Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean and organized work area
• Assists all areas of the plant with general housekeeping
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors
  
  

Communications

• As a member of the Production team, ensures effective shift communication and teamwork with other operators occurs each scheduled shift.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group.
• When utilizing the Handheld radios and Redzone Tablets employees are expected to be professional and respectful when communicating.
• Maintain communication with Shift Supervisor as well as Production Manager
  
  

Teamwork and Training

• SunOpta employees will attend plant training and town-halls as required.
• Promotes and contributes to the development of a strong team.
• Works well among co-workers in a team structure.
• Must conduct a positive and professional attitude while on the job.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.
  
  

Personal Development

• Continuously improve your knowledge of SP department processes and flow.
• Become familiar with Redzone and SunOpta One endeavors.
• Completes and adheres to the Annual Alchemy Schedule.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, the requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination. Including Color-coding of brushes and equipment.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain accurate paperwork or document correctly within our Redzone system.
• Must adhere to all GMP's and Safety Procedures established by Management.
• Must be able to stand and work for long periods of time (12) hours.
• Lift a minimum of 30-50 pounds frequently.
• Push/pull pallet jacks and lifts with heavy loads.
• Willingness to learn department and other departments as needed.
  
  

Qualifications

• Must be able to run/CIP/maintain all department equipment and surrounding departments as needed.
• Willingness to learn and help perform maintenance on valves and other connections within the department and surrounding area
• Willingness to learn Skid Loader and Yard Truck usage as it relates to department needs
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic issues associated with the department equipment and surrounding area
• Ability to assess a situation and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production
• Understand terminology related to the department equipment and surrounding equipment
• All Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Education

Minimum of a High school diploma or equivalent education.

Experience

Entry level – willing to Learn, Train, and Coach as needed.

Knowledge And Skills

Working knowledge of business, computer, and math, preferred. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a team-based environment, set priorities to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and make decisions under pressure being able to work with minimal or no supervision. Ability to use critical thinking to plan and problem-solving.

Travel Requirements

• None
  
  

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics/physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather); moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

A 24/7 36/48-hour work week will be considered normal. Extra hours, off hours, and extra workdays may be required to accommodate new projects, product development, and other special situations.

Featured Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
  
  

Featured Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match
• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
  
  

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED