Extrusion Operator Nights

Our Coolest Benefit - Profit Sharing!

In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands paid out over $6 million in profit-sharing to our employees!!!

Our Story

KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.

At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”

Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.

The Opportunity

Imagine having a chance to produce and package our most popular product line, NutriSource Pet Foods and Tuffy's Pet Foods for everyone's favorite 4-legged friends. Imagine sharing in the profits of a historic family owned business that paid out over $6 million to its employees in 2023. Imagine living in the Lakes Area of Minnesota, with world-class shopping, boating, and fishing at dozens of local lakes. It will all be yours when you choose to join our team!

What We Are Looking For

We’re now hiring a Dry Extrusion Operator for the night shift in dry production. As an Extrusion Operator you will be responsible for operating the dry pet food extrusion system to produce products following all quality , safety and GMP requirements set forth in company policy. We are looking for someone with a safety-first mindset, someone who is accountable, mechanical and pays close attention to detail. Someone with previous operator experience is preferable. If you have a passion for pets and this role matches your skill set, this position might be for you and you may have just stumbled upon the perfect role!

NIGHT Shift - 10:00pm - 6:00am - Week Starts on Sunday Night

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and follow daily production schedule verifying against their product information sheets for accuracy.
• Communicate with the mill room and dry packaging personnel as to which bins should be used for their immediate production needs.
• Coordinate with slurry operators to verify which tanks to use for liquid injection products.
• Choose correct die plate and set up knives for next production run scheduled
• Operate the extruder and monitor ancillary equipment to produce products that meet the desired specifications set forth by the Quality Assurance Department.
• Visually inspect and save samples throughout all runs to be taken to the Quality Control Lab for final analysis.
• Responsible to record operation parameters and turn in at the end of each shift.
• Monitor all feed formulas presented to them for color, odor, and grind notifying supervisor of anything that looks out of specifications.
• Cleaning systems as required between production runs. Daily clean up and sanitation of extruder area.
• Setting up die plates for each different production run and monitoring knife wear.
• Calibrate process liquid mass flow meters prior to runs that require their usage
• Take monthly and semi-annual inventory of department ingredients.
• Involved in weekly cleaning of extrusion area per weekly cleaning schedule
• Notify maintenance of any unusual equipment noises or failures. Train New Department employees.

Qualifications

• General mathematical ability and basic computer skills
• Learning, memorizing and executing a sequence of procedures
• Must be able to read, speak, write and understand English
• Willing and able to get along with others. Be willing to fill in on other shifts as required by supervisor.
• Good judgment, communication skills and reasoning abilities.
• Ability to handle weights of up to 100lbs and 50lbs on a routine basis