Utility Operator

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION - FOR JOB EVALUATION

Job No. 707 Utility Operator - Production - AFB - O'Fallon

Shift: Monday through Friday 5:45am-2:15pm

TRAINING TIME: 8 Weeks

This Utility Operator shall be qualified to perform all operations in the Manufacturing Plant including the following: Spray Dry Operator; Liquid Process Operator; Shipping and Receiving - Warehouse Operator and General Operator. This Operator must have the experience to perform ALL of the jobs listed above before assuming the responsibility to perform the job as UTILITY OPERATOR. Overall experience is the key to this position. The main responsibilities for this position will be to assist in the training of operators and the responsibility in the upkeep and updating of Plant and Operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). This position will be utilized to inventory raw ingredients, finished products and supplies used in the Production Department. The primary responsibilities are listed as follows: Reports to the Manufacturing Supervisor: Adheres to weekly production schedule; Monitors compliance with Quality, Safety, Sanitation and Manufacturing procedures: Fills in as needed when operators are on break, vacation, absent or in emergencies; Assists in training new operators on equipment operations; Monitors production efficiencies; Ensures completeness of manufacturing paperwork; Assists in loading/unloading trucks and tankers; Maintains the organization of the Warehouse and the Plant premises housekeeping; Takes over the batch making process from the Liquid Process Operator; Must be trained and certified to operate forklift truck; must perform to meet or exceed daily production requirements; Must maintain or exceed quality standards of products; Must maintain good housekeeping; Must be available to be assigned to related work as required by the Manufacturing Supervisor/Team Leader; and must perform any related job(s) with minimum supervision. The secondary responsibilities for this position will be found in the job descriptions of the following jobs: Spray Dry Operator, Liquid Process Operator, Shipping/Receiving-Warehouse Operator. This is not a restriction or a guarantee of responsibilities for this position. The Utility Operator must be aware and understand that each shift will have different requirements and the job duties may vary from day to day on a particular shift. The four (4) major categories with subsidiary factors to constitute the Utility Operator job will be listed as follows:

A. DEGREE OF SKILL, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE 1. Knowledge of Machinery, Tools and Equipment Must understand and safely operate electric and hydraulic forklift truck. Must be familiar, in detail, with the blending, spray drying, pumping and filling equipment to use with flexibility and limitations. Must be able to set up and operate the above equipment. Must have thorough knowledge of system(s) to disassemble and reassemble during sanitation process on a timely manner. 2. Knowledge of Materials and Process Must be familiar with and understand all materials used in blending, meat grinding and drying. Must have thorough knowledge of process steps as per batch sheet to monitor, maintain and troubleshoot to assure quality products. Must have through knowledge to locate and identify finished products, raw materials and supplies. Must have thorough knowledge to correct, remedy and unclog pipelines as needed. Must be well trained to proper handling of hazardous chemicals through HazCom and MSDS. 3. Difficulty of Operation Simple repetitive motions such as handling boxes of various sizes, doing necessary clerical work, and operating forklift truck. Dexterity will be required in securing and blocking loads within the trailer. Other motions are simple and repetitive except for Clean In Process (CIP) and clog-ups. 4. Manual Accuracy and Quickness Normal coordination required on controls for filling, spray-drying operations and to operate the hydraulic forklift truck, too.

B. RESPONSIBILITY 1. Responsibility for Material and Equipment Medium to high costs for equipment used. Medium costs for materials. Must take into consideration for high-valued finished products. 2. Effect on Other Operations Mixes must be made in accordance to establish formulas (Quality Control samples to be taken randomly). If not, could result in in-accurate filling of customer orders. Could affect subsequent manufacturing processes and if problems to occur, will shut down meat processing room and possibly vendor operations. Could affect on in-process production due to damaged or wrong deliver of raw materials. Could cause customer complaints due to shipping incorrect finished products. 3. Concentration Requires concentration while filling, grinding/dry blending, spray drying and alertness while keeping focused on potential safety hazards. Above average required for all aspects of Shipping/Receiving job. 4. Necessary Degree of Accuracy Must fill correctly, mixes must be blended properly, spray dried properly and all data recorded accurately. Will be fully responsible for accuracy in counting, weights, making and any other clerical work such as making up orders for customers and directly responsible for customer deliveries. 5. IFS Knowledge Requires knowledge of IFS system.

C. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS 1. Muscular Must be able to lift up to 50-pound bags and process hoppers; and up to 100-pounds in the Shipping/Receiving-Warehouse. Must be able to lift process piping during Clean In Process (CIP) which will require at least two people working together for lifting and attachments of process piping. 2. Fatigue Due to Eye Strain Operator works in a well lighted area with minimal amount of close tolerance work. Some eye strain may occur when doing clerical work. 3. Condition Disagreeable odors and dust particulate are present. Regularly works in an un-air-conditioned area, temperature and humidity extremes vary from season to season. Must wear protective equipment provided, i.e.: uniforms, steel-toed boots, harness, safety glasses, ear protection, gloves and other Person Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.

D. HAZARDS 1. Disease Exposed to acidic and caustic agents while Clean and Process (C.I.P.) and cleaning tankers, too. Potential consequences will occur if not handled properly. Examples: Exposure to gases such as Hydrogen Sulfide and Sodium Hydrosulfide. 2. Incident Exposed to high risk of accidents if safety rules and procedures are not followed. Operator is responsible for identifying and communicating to Team Leader/Manufacturing Supervisor of potential hazard. 3. Strain Usual hazards from lifting exist due to handling of various weights and sizes of raw materials and moving dock plates. Can also occur during Clean In Process (CIP)

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.