Operations Filler Operator I

About SunOpta

SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers' growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.

SunOpta Overview:

SunOpta Inc. is a leader in the plant-based foods and beverages, fruit-based foods and beverages, and organic ingredient sourcing industries. SunOpta is focused on sustainability and specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic, conventional, non-GMO food products.

SunOpta is looking for talented individuals that demonstrate our most valued behaviors: Passion, Dedication, Speed, Entrepreneurship, Customer-Centricity, and Problem-Solver, to help create a brighter, healthier, and sustainable future of food!

Summary: (Basic Knowledge - 90 Days)

This position is responsible for operating Aseptic Filling machines and machines associated with the fillers, with expertise and precision. They will help lead their department and help maximize efficiency to ensure the quality and efficiency standards are being met through quality packages and limited product loss in their department. Adhere to and advocate all GMP, SOPs, SSOPs, and PPE requirements for the safety of others and oneself. Effectively communicates written and verbal instructions to ensure quality and efficiency standards are being met relevant to shift and plant performance. Fill in for vacations and or cover if other employees are absent.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Will be responsible for training new operators and urged to continue to expand knowledge by assisting in other areas of the plant through cross training. Complete Valve Maintenance Training and assist the Valve Maintenance Team when required.
• Coordinates, Sets-up, CIPs, Swab Tests, Monitors, and operates Aseptic Filling Machines to maximize the quality of products produced and the efficiency of the department and surrounding areas.
• Has thorough understanding the flow of the CIP system
• Maintains a clean and organized working area keeping all supplies and materials stocked and set-up for success when the next shift comes in to relieve you.

• Performs and trains routine maintenance on all filling machines. This includes but is not limited to: CIP, Shutdown, and Preventative maintenances. Documents work completed by filling out Maintenance Work Order Forms.

• Relieves other production team members for breaks and absences as required
• Performs a variety of quality checks (weight checks, machine checks, package integrity checks) to assure standards are met and assists lower level Filler Operators making those adjustments
• Troubleshoots and resolves complex operating difficulties involving area equipment. Reports problems to supervisor and documents on the 24-hour board.
• Can start-up, shut-down, and clear jams on all the equipment as it relates to the filling area. This includes but is not limited to DE cappers.
• Understands the production flow as it relates to filling - process to filling - filling to downline.
• Accurately prepares and completes all area paperwork with legible handwriting as required by the FDA.
• Identify all critical control points with a high level of knowledge of their function as it relates to the filling area
• Understands terminology of the filling equipment, process equipment, and downline equipment that relates to filling.
• Communicates well with other team members including Processing, Downline, Batch Output & Supervisors on any delays or problems in the filling area that would hinder the flow of production.
• Works well with the Management team to monitor the operational efficiencies, yields, scrap loss and other key indicators to actively seek ways to improve plant productivity

Key Accountabilities:

Safety

• Adheres to all plant safety rules and advocates oneself and co-worker's safety
• Reports all near misses and accidents to the Production Supervisor or HR representative
• Serves an active role in the plant safety program by attending safety meetings,participating in monthly safety inspections and reporting any potential safety hazards to the safety committee or Management

Quality

• Adheres to all Quality Assurance System guidelines
• Follows SOP's and SSOP's (standard operating procedures and sanitation standard operating procedures) when making machine adjustments, splicing of packaging materials, and preparation of laminate to ensure the manufacturing of high-quality packages
• Responsible for compliance with the HACCP, SQF, and Safety programs program
• Identifies all CCP's (critical control points) with high level understanding of their functions as it relates to the filling department
• Expertly prepares and maintains all filling area documentation
• Performs all Package Integrity failure tests including ink and copper testing at a high level

Maintenance

• When Maintenance is occurring in your work area, it is the expectation to assist the Maintenance Technicians in any capacity needed to expedite the repair process.
• When equipment is in a state of disrepair these items must be reported ASAP to avoid break downs.

Housekeeping

• Maintains a clean and organized work area
• Assists all areas of the plant with general housekeeping
• Cooperates with other shifts and the management team in housekeeping endeavors

Communications

• As a member of the Production team, ensures the effective shift communication and teamwork with the other operators occurs each scheduled shift
• Maintains effective communication with members of the support group
• When utilizing the Handheld radios employees are expected to be professional and respectful when communicating.

Teamwork and Training

• Promotes and contributes to the development of teamwork among production team members
• Exhibits leadership abilities and works well among co-workers as a team
• Mentors, Trains, and develops other employees as requested by the management team

Personal Development

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  • Continuously improve your knowledge of the Aseptic Filling process
  • Expand knowledge level beyond filling through cross-training and valve-maintenance. Primarily from processing to filling to downline
  • Achieve the best understanding of the flow of production possible from departments that correlate with your departments that correlate with your departments through-put.
  
  
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. All qualifications from Filler Operator II must be met to be considered for Production Support Specialist in Filling.

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  • Safety and Quality aspects must have a 100% mastery and Operational aspects 85% or better for the Filler Assessment II.
  • Must have knowledge about the entire aseptic and production processes from Aseptic Mixing to Warehouse
  
  
  
  

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  • Team player
  • Basic math skills
  
  
  
  

• Detail orientated and organized
• Must have a good attendance record
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Very experienced with filling equipment
• Mechanical and Troubleshooting skills
• Food Industry experience and knowledge of GMPs
• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination
• Able to fill in for Supervisor when needed
• Must have accurate record keeping
• Must be able to troubleshoot and resolve moderate to complex issues
• Have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of filing experience
• Keeps supplies stocked for production runs without over stocking or understocking keeping walkways, extinguishers, eyewash's, and exits clear for foot traffic
• Ability to assess situations and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production
• Must be able to communicate ideas for improvements for the Filling area, CIP area, and other work areas.
• Additional duties as assigned or requested
• All qualifications from Filler Operator I and Filler Operator II must be met to be considered for Filler Operator III.

Education:

Minimum of a High school diploma or equivalent education and/or experience required

Experience:

Minimum of 3 - 5 years' experience in manufacturing environment.

Knowledge and Skills:

Working knowledge of business, computer and math, preferred. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a team-based environment, set priorities to meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks, and make decisions under pressure.

Travel Requirements:

None

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics/physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to wet and / or humid conditions (non-weather); moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

A 24/7 36/48-hour work week will be considered normal. Extra hours, off hours, and extra workdays may be required to accommodate new projects, product development, and other special situations.

The employee must occasionally sit, lift, push, pull and/or move up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds occasionally. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, grasp, type; reach with hands and arms; lean, crouch, stoop, kneel, or crawl; climb up and down ladders or stairs. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee is required to climb and operate a three-story machine several times per hour. Frequently talk or listen. Frequently work near moving mechanical parts. Occasionally work in high places, occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. Occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to wet and / or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. A (24/7) 36/48-hour work week will be considered normal. Extra hours, off hours, and extra workdays may be required to accommodate new projects, product development, and other special situations.

Featured benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Family leave
• Paid maternity leave
• 401(k) with Match

• Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
• Paid Holidays

• Tuition assistance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED