Extruder Operator

Job Description:Working as a member of a shift team, the primary role of an Extruder Operator is to demonstrate ownership and responsibility for a set of machines, pieces of equipment and/ or processes within their working area. This includes carrying out the routine operational tasks required to achieve area targets e.g. starting-up, shutting-down, monitoring, cleaning, and carrying out basic changeovers, minor repairs, routine checks , reporting and inspections, and the use of basic ancillary equipment and computer programs. What are we looking for?Associates degree or equivalent of 2-3 years’ experience (manufacturing environment preferred).Good math, reading and writing skills.High level of mechanical aptitude and knowledge with good skills in troubleshooting and problem solving.Excellent housekeeping skills and knowledge of GMP's.Good knowledge of personal computers.Ability and willingness to develop and manage self, demonstrate self directed workgroup leadership and contribute to efficiency, quality and cost optimization with minimal supervision and a positive attitude.The position will be physically demanding.  The successful candidate must have:Ability to lift 50 lbsAbility to work 12 hour rotating shiftAbility to work under variable conditions such as heat, cold, high and /or confined spaces.Ability to climb laddersAbility to travel up and down stairs, repetitivelyAbility to do repetitive bending and twistingAbility to work with hazardous chemicals (phosphoric acid) and work with exposure to pressurized steam.Forklift certifiedWhat will be your key responsibilities?This will be an entry level role into the Extrusion role and will develop capability to perform the following responsibilities:    Extrusion - extrude mixed meal and dry kibbles that meet all quality specifications and optimize plant capacity.    Coating - coat and blend kibbles with tallow and digest into the finished product according to recipe requirements; coordinate with packaging and extrusion to optimize product stream and bunker inventory levels.Manage and set strategy for the five processing systems to ensure meeting or exceeding production schedule in the most efficient manner possible.Maintain a safe and clean work environment to promote associate safety and product integrity.Ability to actively address food safety and quality concerns.Troubleshoot processing systems that are not performing properly and take corrective action to ensure product quality while minimizing unnecessary downtime.Improve operations through individual and group problem solving and provide leadership in solving problems on the floor and in meetings.Promote high quality team environment through effective team work and self-management with a positive attitude.Able to start and stop extrusion system with 90 days of assignment to areaAble to perform all testing and sampling in extrusion area and complete conformance sheets accuratelyDemonstrates knowledge of area GMP’sDemonstrates basic understanding of the process flow and equipment in the immediate areaAble to make Color, clean & assemble die plates, and forklift experienceAble to safely operate all equipment and systems in extrusionLOTO training completeDemonstrates understanding of E-stop strategy for area and can locate all E-stopsAble to do weekly processing start up and shut down proceduresAble to identify quality issues and make parameter adjustments to correct theseAble to set up for any recipe and input initial parameters and run effectively on any extrusion systemAble to run Quality and R&D testTakes ownership for area in terms of safety and housekeepingUnderstand the meat processDemonstrates a thorough understanding of all equipment in the area, how it operates, what normal conditions are, and can identify abnormal conditionsAble to assist in identifying solutions to problems and short term alternatives to circumvent problemsDemonstrates ability to consistently run all KKM products at 95% A grade while optimizing moisture and minimizing regrindAble to optimize extruder efficiency by balancing finished product inventory mixed meal level and extruder ratesAble to accurately troubleshoot mechanical and controls system issuesAble to help maintenance/tech services find long term solutions to problems in areaAble to cover for one other processing position, and keeps up to date in that areaAble to provide on-the-job training for new process associates on extruder operation, quality parameters, GMP’s, and safetyAble to understand and adjust the schedule when neededDemonstrates consistent application of product knowledge in solving quality issuesAble to work with engineering and maintenance to make upgrades to area systemsWorks on PMs on a regular basis​OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:Maintain a clean, safe work environment that promotes associate safety and product integrity.Improve operations through individual and group problem solving and provide leadership in solving problems on the floor and in meetings.Promote high quality team environment through effective team work and self-direction with a positive attitude.Obtain and maintain proficiency in job specific business systems such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel systems. Remain current with facility utilized business systems.May have to perform special non-routine tasks associated with corporate requests, projects and testsParticipate in site action circles and focus groups as appropriate.Train other area associates in operation of all areas and systems.Other duties as required.What can you expect from Mars?Work with over 130,000 diverse 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.Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.