Food Production Asst Batch Cook

100% employer paid medical insurance

Position Summary

The assistant cook is responsible for aiding in the production of batches of Jam, Jelly, Syrup, and Pie Filling. Staging ingredients, cross training and assisting the cook.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain reliable attendance, including overtime as needed.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time and follow the company handbook.
• Ensures compliance with the Company's HACCP and FDA requirements as they pertain to GMP'S and housekeeping expectations.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, applies feedback to improve performance.
• Daily clock in/out in Paycom and/or through manual temporary agency time tracking protocols
• Maintain safe and organized operation by complying with company operational policies, procedures, and standards
• Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Must document and communicate any issues (including safety and quality)
• Reports issues of food safety and quality to Supervisor or Manager.
• Written Communication - Writes in English clearly and informatively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Informs Supervisor of equipment malfunction.
• Time management – Getting things done in a timely manner while keeping safety in mind.
• Safety and Security - observes procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Responds accordingly to food safety and quality issues.
• Has a competent understanding of allergen control.
• Teamwork - Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Performing other work-related duties as assigned
• Assists Production Supervisors on special projects as needed.
• Stops equipment to clear jams
• Ensure all partial materials are stowed correctly according to Trailblazer Foods regulations.
• Correct documentation in accordance with procedures set forth.
• Correctly completes all applicable paperwork such as: recipe sheets, batch info sheets, start-up and shift change forms.
• Ensuring we have adequate materials to run schedule of the day.
• Keeping track of materials used/wasted and documenting them accordingly.
• Obtaining raw material needed for production.
• Setup machines to proper specifications per orders planned in production.
• Understanding the schedule of the day in order to be prepared for timely product change over.
• Assists Lead Cook: adding fruit ingredients, weighing ingredients, checking vacpan brix, and recording ingredient information.
• Lead Cook, under process supervision by QA: brix, pH and viscosity and make the appropriate recipe adjustments based on test results and specs
• Inspects all raw materials being used.. Rejects damaged or out of specification materials when found in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Assists Lead Cook: operates HMI equipment including but not limited to: steam jacketed kettles, valves, pumps, mixers, vacuum kettles.
• Operates pneumatic drum lift in order to add ingredients for use on the cook deck.
• Operates overhead crane hoist for loading and unloading bulk ingredients such as sugar.
• Reworking any unsellable product back into the mixer using proper precautions.
• Ensuring correct batch numbers are recorded and that batch separation is maintained.
• Relieves and gives breaks to team members / operators.
• Alerts Supervisor/Manager to any necessary procedural changes that occur during the production day. R&D Manager / QA must authorize changes.
• Communicating ingredient and general requirement needs to the warehouse employees
• Communicating maintenance needs or equipment malfunctions to the maintenance employees
• Ensuring correct identification, interpretation and recording of ingredient lot information for all ingredients used in each batch.
• Basic understanding of the scientific principles (e.g. brix, pH, temperature) of the production of: jams, jellies, fruit fillings, BBQ sauces, drink concentrates and syrups.
• Identifies, interprets and records ingredient lot information for all ingredients used in each batch.
• Operate stand up forklift
• Must be able to assist the cook, while preparing fruit and ingredients
• Must be able to operate HMI Programs
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of one year food processing related experience
• Must be able to read, write speak the English language
• Use simple math, and use basic hand held measuring tools
• Ability to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and to be conscientious about assignments
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company
• Ability to exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships
  
  

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 position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Hearing protection must be worn on the plant floor.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

Background Check & Criminal History Policy (Oregon)

Purpose

Trailblazer foods is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and productive workplace while providing fair employment opportunities, including to individuals with prior criminal histories. We are a second-chance employer and evaluate candidates on their qualifications, experience, and ability to perform the job, consistent with Oregon law.

Compliance with Oregon Law

This policy is administered in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including Oregon's "Ban the Box" law (ORS 659A.360) and guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Timing of Criminal History Inquiries

• Trailblazer Foods does not inquire about criminal history on employment applications.
• Criminal background checks, if required for the position, are conducted only after a conditional offer of employment has been made.
  
  

Positions Subject to Background Checks

Background checks may be required for certain positions based on job duties, including but not limited to:

• Safety-sensitive roles
• Positions involving vulnerable populations
• Roles with access to company assets, confidential information, or secure facilities
• Positions required by law or client contract to undergo background screening
  
  

Use of Criminal History Information

A Criminal Conviction Does Not Automatically Disqualify An Applicant From Employment. When Evaluating Criminal History, Trailblazer Foods Conducts An Individualized Assessment That Considers

• The nature and severity of the offense
• The time elapsed since the offense or completion of the sentence
• The relevance of the offense to the duties of the position
• Evidence of rehabilitation, work history, and other mitigating factors
  
  

Disqualifying Offenses

Notwithstanding our commitment as a second-chance employer, Trailblazer Foods does not hire individuals with convictions involving:

• Violent felonies
• Sexual offenses or sexual felonies
  
  

This determination is made to protect the safety of employees, customers, and the community and to meet business necessity requirements.

Pre-Adverse and Adverse Action Process

If information obtained from a background check may result in withdrawal of a conditional offer:

• The applicant will be provided a pre-adverse action notice, including a copy of the background report and a summary of rights.
• The applicant will be given an opportunity to review and dispute the information.
• After considering any response, Trailblazer Foods will issue a final adverse action notice if applicable.
  
  

Confidentiality

All background check information is kept confidential and accessed only by individuals with a legitimate business need.

Authorization

Background checks are conducted only with the applicant's written authorization.

Policy Administration

Trailblazer Foods reserves the right to modify this policy to remain compliant with changes in applicable laws or business needs.