Do you love snacks? Are you looking to join an ever evolving and rapidly growing team? PIM Brands might just be exactly what you’re looking for!
At PIM, we make the brands you love. Our portfolio of products, from Welch’s® Fruit Snacks to Sun-Maid® Chocolate Raisins and Sour Jacks® Sour Candies are enjoyed by millions of consumers every day. And when it comes to careers, we seek talented, results-oriented individuals who want to play a part in building amazing brands and products while working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment. At PIM, you can make an immediate and lasting contribution to help grow iconic snack and confectionery brands, no matter your area of expertise.
The Utility (PIM – Level 3) is an experienced operations support position responsible for ensuring the uninterrupted flow of materials, components, and finished goods throughout highly automated, high-volume production and packaging operations. This role supports state-of-the-art manufacturing and packaging equipment by providing advanced material handling, inventory control, line support, changeover assistance, investigation support, and preventive maintenance coordination.
The PIM Level 3 Utility is expected to operate within a complex manufacturing environment, supporting multiple automated production systems, increased production volumes, advanced inventory management processes, and elevated operational performance requirements. This role requires a higher level of technical knowledge, operational awareness, problem-solving capability, and cross-functional collaboration to support efficient production operations and maximize equipment uptime.
The Utility (PIM – Level 3) serves as a key operational resource by ensuring material availability, maintaining inventory accuracy, supporting equipment reliability initiatives, and assisting with continuous improvement efforts while adhering to all safety, quality, regulatory, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Advanced Production Material Support
Deliver raw materials, packaging components, work-in-process materials, and supplies to production lines in accordance with production schedules and operational priorities.
Ensure continuous material availability for high-speed automated production and packaging lines.
Monitor line-side inventory levels and proactively replenish materials to prevent production interruptions.
Support multiple production lines simultaneously while prioritizing critical operational needs.
Stage materials in designated production areas according to production schedules, work orders, and operational requirements.
Verify material identity, item numbers, lot numbers, expiration dates, quantities, and release status prior to issuing materials to production.
Remove finished goods, pallets, excess materials, and production waste from operational areas in a timely manner.
Return unused materials to inventory while maintaining proper documentation and inventory system transactions.
Coordinate material movements to support optimal equipment utilization and production efficiency.
Assist in resolving material flow issues, shortages, and scheduling conflicts.
Inventory Control and Material Management
Execute inventory transactions accurately within ERP, inventory management, and scanning systems.
Ensure complete material traceability throughout all production processes.
Maintain inventory accuracy through proper material handling, documentation, and reconciliation practices.
Support cycle counts, inventory audits, and inventory control programs.
Investigate and report material discrepancies, inventory variances, and stock issues.
Adhere to FIFO, FEFO, and inventory rotation requirements where applicable.
Perform material reconciliations associated with production runs, changeovers, maintenance activities, and investigations.
Monitor inventory locations and ensure inventory organization standards are maintained.
Support implementation of inventory management improvements and best practices.
Assist with root cause investigations related to inventory inaccuracies and material losses.
Production Line Operations Support
Support high-speed, automated manufacturing and packaging equipment by ensuring material readiness and availability.
Maintain awareness of production schedules, line performance metrics, and operational priorities.
Assist operators and line leads by responding to material requests and operational support needs.
Monitor material consumption patterns and proactively anticipate replenishment requirements.
Support startup, shutdown, and operational transitions while minimizing downtime.
Collaborate with Production, Warehouse, Quality, and Maintenance personnel to optimize operational performance.
Assist with throughput improvement initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
Participate in product and packaging changeovers to support efficient line transitions.
Remove and reconcile remaining materials from completed production runs.
Stage materials, components, and documentation required for upcoming production activities.
Verify all materials required for startup are available, released, properly labeled, and accurately staged.
Support line clearance activities in accordance with GMP and quality requirements.
Assist operators and supervisors with changeover preparation and execution.
Ensure inventory accuracy and material traceability are maintained throughout changeover activities.
Identify opportunities to reduce changeover time and improve operational efficiency.
Investigation and Quality Support
Support production, quality, and inventory investigations involving material discrepancies, inventory variances, deviations, and non-conforming materials.
Assist with material identification, segregation, containment, and documentation activities.
Retrieve inventory records, transaction histories, material usage information, and production data to support investigations.
Perform material reconciliation and inventory verification activities as requested.
Support product hold, quarantine, and release processes.
Assist in the implementation of corrective and preventive actions related to material management and inventory control.
Escalate quality, compliance, or inventory concerns to appropriate leadership.
Maintain accurate documentation and traceability throughout all investigation activities.
Preventive Maintenance (PM) and Technical Support
Support preventive maintenance activities on advanced automated manufacturing and packaging equipment.
Prepare maintenance work areas by removing materials and ensuring safe equipment access.
Coordinate material movement requirements associated with equipment shutdowns and maintenance events.
Assist with startup and recovery activities following completion of maintenance work.
Stage components, supplies, and materials needed to support maintenance activities.
Support maintenance teams during equipment upgrades, installation projects, and operational improvement initiatives.
Maintain inventory accuracy during maintenance-related activities and equipment interventions.
Collaborate with Maintenance and Operations personnel to minimize downtime and maximize equipment effectiveness.
Powered Industrial Equipment Operation
Safely operate forklifts, reach trucks, electric pallet jacks, walkie riders, and other authorized powered industrial equipment.
Maintain active certification and licensing requirements for all authorized equipment.
Complete required operator training and periodic recertification requirements.
Conduct and document pre-shift equipment inspections prior to operation.
Inspect safety devices, forks, batteries, tires, hydraulic systems, alarms, lights, and general equipment condition.
Immediately report equipment damage, defects, or unsafe operating conditions and remove equipment from service when required.
Maintain inspection records and documentation in accordance with company procedures.
Follow all traffic controls, pedestrian safety requirements, and equipment operating procedures.
Support production, warehouse, inventory, and maintenance activities through safe and efficient equipment operation.
Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
Participate in Lean Manufacturing, TPM, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Identify opportunities to improve material flow, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.
Support implementation of process improvements within production and warehouse operations.
Assist with data collection and operational performance improvement activities.
Promote best practices related to inventory control, material handling, safety, and productivity.
Serve as a resource for less experienced employees regarding material management and operational procedures.
Safety, Quality, and Compliance
Comply with all company safety policies, GMP requirements, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
Wear required PPE and follow safe work practices at all times.
Report unsafe conditions, near misses, incidents, and compliance concerns immediately.
Maintain inspection-ready work areas and support audit activities.
Ensure materials are stored, handled, and transported in accordance with company procedures.
Support internal audits, regulatory inspections, and compliance initiatives.
Maintain high standards of housekeeping and workplace organization.
Success in this role will be measured by:
Support of uninterrupted operation of high-volume automated production and packaging lines.
Accurate and timely material replenishment and inventory transactions.
Inventory accuracy, traceability, and reconciliation performance.
Effective support of changeovers, investigations, and preventive maintenance activities.
Safe and compliant operation of powered industrial equipment.
Contribution to equipment uptime, operational efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Compliance with GMP, safety, quality, and inventory control standards.
Participation in continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
High School Diploma or GED preferred.
Manufacturing, warehouse, or production experience preferred.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Ability to understand and comply with standard work instructions.
Demonstrated reliability and strong attendance.
English fluency required, including the ability to read, write, speak, and understand work instructions, safety procedures, quality documentation, and supervisor direction.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery, noise, temperature variations, and moving equipment.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to wear required PPE and GMP-compliant attire.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. The incumbent is expected to assume additional responsibilities, projects, assignments, cross-training activities, and operational support tasks as required to meet business needs and organizational objectives at the direction of leadership.
#10 Candy Company in North America
#26 Global Candy Company
Makers of Welch’s - #1 Fruit Snack in U.S.
2024 Advocate of the Year Award
Recognized by NJBIA - State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility and in Research/Development 2024
Recognized by New Jersey Business Magazine 2024
Top 100 Privately Owned Company in the Metro NYC Market
Top 50 Employer in New Jersey
PIM Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer
PIM Brands is an e-Verify Employer
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
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High School education or equivalent is strongly preferred.
- Basic math and computer skills are required.
- Willing to be trained.
- Ability to read, speak, and write English is required.
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Preferred 1 year of packaging machine operator experience in a high-speed manufacturing environment.
