Extruder Operator

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for the safe and efficient operation and set up of all extruding, drying, and coating equipment to meet or exceed daily production requirements.
• Must observe proper Lockout/Tagout and all safety procedures as required
• Must be able to operate and control extruders, so that all food safety temperatures and gelatinization requirements are met.
• Proficient in completing all required food safety/quality checks and understand the consequences of out of compliance.
• Report or take appropriate action when food safety/quality checks do not meet set specifications such as, temperature, kibble size, moisture, density, color, texture, or foreign materials.
• Monitor running efficiency of processing equipment including downtime, through-put and food safety requirements.
• Ability to read and understand the daily production run schedule and execute to that plan.
• Clearly communicate to manager and/or others any disruptions to production plan, quality failures or issues, equipment downtime and material deficiencies
• Maintain functional knowledge of all equipment in milling/processing area
• Cross train and train others in functional area
• Improve operations through individual and group problem solving. Provide leadership in solving problems that disrupts the daily production goals
• Maintain a clean, safe work environment that promotes associate safety and product integrity
• Other duties and/or responsibilities as assigned by the lead or supervisor

Physical Requirements

• Must be capable of working at elevated heights
• Must be able to lift 50lbs repetitively
• Must be able to lift to 65 lbs. occasionally
• Must be able to adapt to temperature and environmental extremes such as hot to cold, dust dirt and chemicals

Other Requirements

• Position will be on days, but may require a flexible working schedule, including different rotations, shifts, overtime hours, weekends, and holidays based on business demands.

Education, Experience and Skills Required

• Minimum of three years manufacturing experience
• Certified in Forklift operation
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Good basic math, reading and writing skills
• Basic knowledge of personal computers
• Good problem solving and/or troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work in a self-directed manner with minimal supervision and a positive attitude
• Working knowledge of Safety, Quality and Material Management Systems and procedures
• Working Knowledge of food safety, GMP, GHOP, HACCP, SPC
• Complex problem solving, communication skills Decision Making Authority and Impact
• The Extruder Operator is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the line to meet and /or exceed production objectives. Operations Manager and Shift Supervisor provide guidance and or assistance when needed.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.