Company: Albright’s Raw Dog Food
Location: 1025 Osage Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Hours: 40 per week, 5 days per week
Job Title: Production Specialist
General Description:
- Opportunity to work for a fast-paced, rapidly growing start-up raw dog food manufacturing company at the ground level. This a position focused on raw dog food manufacturing. Maintaining a safe, clean, and organized working environment is also critical.
Key Responsibilities:
- Weigh and measure raw ingredients according to recipes.
- Chop, grind, and mix ingredients to create consistent raw dog food blends.
- Ensure proper storage and handling of raw materials to maintain quality and safety standards.
- Operate mixing equipment to blend raw ingredients thoroughly.
- Monitor mixing processes to ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.
- Adjust mixing parameters as needed to achieve desired product consistency.
- Perform visual inspections of raw materials and finished products for quality assurance.
- Monitor product temperature, texture, and color during production to maintain quality standards.
- Identify and report any deviations from quality specifications to supervisors.
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance:
- Operate machinery and equipment such as grinders, mixers, and packaging machines.
- Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as cleaning and sanitizing equipment.
- Troubleshoot minor equipment issues and notify maintenance team for repairs.
- Package raw dog food products into designated containers or packaging materials.
- Apply labels, barcodes, and product information accurately to each package.
- Ensure proper sealing and closure of packaging to prevent contamination.
- Follow strict hygiene and sanitation protocols to maintain a clean and safe work environment.
- Clean work areas, equipment, and utensils regularly to prevent cross-contamination.
- Dispose of waste materials, such as packaging and unused ingredients, in designated areas.
- Adhere to safety guidelines and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Report any safety hazards, incidents, or near misses to supervisors immediately.
- Participate in safety training programs to stay updated on best practices.
- Keep track of raw materials and packaging supplies, notifying supervisors when reordering is needed.
- Assist in regular inventory counts and stock rotation to prevent shortages or expired materials.
- Maintain accurate production records, including batch logs, ingredient usage, and production times.
- Complete required paperwork, such as batch sheets and quality control checklists.
- Work collaboratively with other production team members to ensure smooth operations.
- Communicate effectively with supervisors, quality control, and maintenance teams.
- Suggest process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.
- Participate in training and development opportunities to expand skills and knowledge.
- Adherence to Regulations:
- Follow industry regulations and guidelines related to food safety, sanitation, and production standards.
Position Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Training or certifications in food handling, safety, or manufacturing processes is a plus.
- Ability to stand, lift, bend, and move for extended periods during production shifts.
- Capable of lifting and moving heavy boxes or containers of raw materials.
- Strong observation skills to monitor product quality, consistency, and safety.
- Accurate measuring and recording of ingredients and production data.
- Hygiene and Safety Awareness:
- Knowledge of proper hygiene practices and food safety standards.
- Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE) and its proper usage.
- Ability to perform basic calculations for measuring ingredients and adjusting recipes.
- Teamwork and Communication:
- Effective communication within the production team and with supervisors.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Flexibility to handle changes in production schedules, tasks, or procedures.
- Willingness to learn new processes and adapt to evolving job requirements.
- Ability to identify and address minor equipment issues or production deviations.
- Willingness to seek guidance or escalate problems when necessary.
- Reliability and Punctuality:
- Consistent attendance and punctuality for assigned shifts.
- Ability to adhere to production schedules and meet deadlines.
- Good physical health to handle the demands of the job, including standing, lifting, and repetitive tasks.
- Strong work ethic, with a sense of responsibility and dedication to maintaining product quality.
- Previous experience in a food production or manufacturing environment is a plus.
- Proficiency in using basic computer applications for data entry and record-keeping.
- Awareness of potential safety hazards and a commitment to following safety protocols.
- Proficiency in the language used for workplace communication and documentation.
- Attention to Regulations:
- Familiarity with industry regulations and guidelines related to food manufacturing and safety.
- Commitment to producing high-quality products that meet established standards.
- Willingness to take on additional responsibilities or tasks as needed.
Skills and Abilities
- Education: High School Graduate or GED required
- Experience: 2 years of food production experience a plus
- Computer Skills: Basic knowledge and use of computers; Microsoft Office, Outlook,
Excel, Word a plus
- Certifications and Licenses: Valid Driver’s License
- Other Requirements: N/A
Physical Demands:
N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.
O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)
F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)
C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)
Physical Demands Lift/Carry
Stand C 10 lbs or less F
Walk F 11-20 lbs F
Sit O 21-50 lbs F
Manually Manipulate C 51-100 lbs F
Grasp F Over 100 lbs N
Reach Outward F
Reach Above Shoulder F Push/Pull
Speak F 12 lbs or less F
Climb O 13-25 lbs F
Crawl O 26-40 lbs F
Squat or Kneel O 41-100 lbs F
Bend F
Other Physical Requirements
- Vision - near; distance; peripheral; color; depth
- Sense of Sound – be able to hear machinery, alarms, operators
- Sense of Smell – be able to detect smell of certain abnormal odors
- Sense of Taste – N/A
- Sense of Touch – N/A
- Sense of Balance – when climbing stairs; ladders
- Ability to wear PPE - safety glasses, hard hat, rubber gloves
Work Environment
- Raw Pet Food Plant: cold/frozen warehouse environment; loud noises; fumes and working with raw food materials.
Work Schedule
- Work schedules may vary as business dictates.
- The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person