Lead Extrusion Operator, 2nd Shift (D1135)

**This position is 2nd Shift: 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM**

Job title: Lead Extrusion Operator

Department: Production

Location: Decatur AR Manufacturing Plant

About the Wellness Pet Company

The Wellness Pet Company is on a mission to help the next generation of pet parents fulfill a shared life of wellbeing with their pets through a foundation of proven nutrition. We are committed to crafting high-quality pet food dental chews treats and topper recipes that are made with the perfect balance of high-quality natural ingredients paired with the latest scientific research and technologies. As a community of people working together Wellies are positively obsessed with how to deliver proven health outcomes that pet parents can see and pets can taste. Wellies bring their best to work every day come ready to collaborate embrace the hard things and own their outcomes.

Who Were Looking For

Team Wellie is a group of people who are truly obsessed with all the best ways about winning for the consumer and the pets they love. And so we are seeking an individual who:

• Always starts with the consumer
• Is dedicated to doing it right the first time
• Brings their best every day
• Has an all-in mindset
• Embraces the hard things and does them right away
• Owns their outcomes
• Gives back to their community

Position Summary: The Extrusion Lead is responsible for maintaining production flow for extrusion lines general production housekeeping and operator supervision. Oversight of quality of product being produced and ensuring all checks are completed and accurately recorded. Must be able to operate troubleshoot extrusion equipment according to scheduled production needs. Extruder Leads regularly work 40 hours per week with overtime as business needs require.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for setting up starting up and operation of extruder equipment according to the production schedule.
• Monitors equipment and uses tools to make adjustments change overs small repairs and perform basic maintenance as required.

• Play an active role in the training of extruder operators
• Maximize the efficiency and throughput of the extruder and produce quality pounds
• Maintain production records and ensure extruder personnel are completing records accurately
• Recommend measures to improve production methods equipment performance and quality of products
• Performs sanitation tasks to ensure area meets quality standards.
• Interface with shift supervisors to ensure packaging lines are adequately suppliers and IS bins are not overfilled
• Maintain housekeeping at a high level in extrusion area through the involvement of all extruder employees
• Initiate recommend investigate troubleshoot and provide solutions and actions to prevent occurrence of any nonconformities relating to products processes and quality systems
• Manage and/or adjust work procedures to meet production requirements
• Work with maintenance to develop operator PMs for equipment
• Monitor condition of die plates
• Interface with maintenance and engineering to develop and test new die plate concepts
• Develop standards and routines for extrusion
• Create recipes with Controls Engineer to establish standard run starts by recipe or recipe family
• Establish extrusion density conversion (by recipe) for operator reference
• Work with product development on trials and commissioning runs to ensure consistent results as well as replicable production
• Perform and document in-process quality checks on a periodic basis on representative samples in order to ensure that product meets quality standards.
• Clean disassemble and reassemble line equipment in order to prepare machine for inspection or deep cleaning.

• Actively follow safety procedures and policies in all job tasks.
• Follow and hold others accountable for following all company Good Manufacturing Practices.
• All other duties as assigned.

Workplace Safety:

• Completes safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor.
• Participates in mandatory safety trainings and adheres to all safety policies
• Required to report all safety issues near misses and injuries

Quality & Food Safety:

• Completes quality & food safety system documentation and verifies compliance to program standards. Reports deviations to Supervisor.
• Participates in mandatory food safety and quality training program requirements
• Preserves the integrity of the BRC system through adherence to the policies and procedures outlined. Takes actions necessary to resolve food safety and quality system deficiencies
• Required to report food safety and quality system failures and take actions necessary to preserve the BRC system.

Position Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of 3 years experience in extruder operation
• Must have a minimum of 1 years in a supervisor/lead role in a manufacturing plant
• High School Diploma or GED required
• Knowledge of Safety HACCP GMPs and OSHA standards
• Strong knowledge of extrusion the process and equipment
• Ability to effectively train new operators
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions and procedures
• Knowledge of 5S is a plus
• Experience with or ability to learn computerized equipment (i.e.: scales controllers computer-based operator interfaces etc.)
• Ability to read write and communicate using the English language.
• Ability to work in an environment which includes frequent exposure to elements such as odor noise heat cold dust and chemicals.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 35-50 pounds in order to move ingredients and finished product stand walk push/pull up to 50 pounds reach overhead and bend to the floor.
• Demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Must be familiar with use of hand tools.
• Good verbal and mathematical capability at a high school level.
• Proficient with computer applications and Microsoft Office products

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in pet food manufacturing.

Why Wellness Pet

We care about the wellbeing of our people their families and their pets. We treat every Wellie to a best-in-class benefits package a warm and welcoming environment and a place where you can learn and grow professionally. More information about what makes us special can be found on our website.

Wellness Pet Company is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race color ancestry religion sex national origin sexual orientation age citizenship marital status disability or Veteran status.

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