Extruder Operator

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN'S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

The Extruder Operator role:

Responsible for ensuring quality product is extruded and will operate/change over specified machinery in the assigned area. Operator must have the skillset to train and/or perform tasks of other associates in the area as needed. This job requires strong communication skills, interpersonal and team building skills to support site objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

 Able to start and stop extrusion system with 90 days of assignment to area

 Able to perform all testing and sampling in extrusion area and complete conformance sheets accurately

 Demonstrates knowledge of area GMP's

 Demonstrates basic understanding of the process flow and equipment in the immediate area

 Able to make Color, clean & assemble die plates, and forklift experience

 Able to safely operate all equipment and systems in extrusion

 LOTO training complete

 Demonstrates understanding of E-stop strategy for area and can locate all E-stops

 Able to do weekly processing start up and shut down procedures

 Able to identify quality issues and make parameter adjustments to correct these

 Able to set up for any recipe and input initial parameters and run effectively on any extrusion system

 Able to run Quality and R&D test

 Takes ownership for area in terms of safety and housekeeping

 Understand the meat process

 Demonstrates a thorough understanding of all equipment in the area, how it operates, what normal conditions are, and can identify abnormal conditions

 Able to assist in identifying solutions to problems and short term alternatives to circumvent problems

 Demonstrates ability to consistently run all KKR products at 95% A grade while optimizing moisture and minimizing regrind

 Able to optimize extruder efficiency by balancing finished product inventory mixed meal level

and extruder rates

 Able to accurately troubleshoot mechanical and controls system issues

 Able to help maintenance/tech services find long term solutions to problems in area

 Able to cover for one other processing position, and keeps up to date with changes in that area

 Able to provide on-the-job training for new process associates on extruder operation, quality parameters, GMP's, and safety

 Able to understand and adjust the schedule when needed

 Demonstrates consistent application of product knowledge in solving quality issues

 Able to work with engineering and maintenance to make upgrades to area systems

 Works 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 tests

 Other duties as required

Who Should Apply . . .

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following behaviors:

Team player

Action oriented

Problem solving abilities

Strong communication skills

Continuous self-development

Qualifications:

Primary qualifications for this job are:

 Most recent Performance appraisal with a minimum of “Meets” expectations and not more than 1 year old.

 No active disciplinary notices.

 Acceptable attendance (less than 5 incidents and no discipline above an Initial Warning).

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

 Must not be afraid of heights; must be capable of working at elevated heights

 Must not be unusually sensitive to chemicals (contact lenses not recommended).

 Vision correctable to 20/20.

 Must be able to stand on feet for long periods of time.

 Standing on a concrete floor

 Wearing proper personal protective equipment (hair net, bump cap, ear plugs, safety shoes, and uniform)

 Bending, stooping, twist, turn, standing for extended time periods, reaching, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50 lbs

 Must be able to adapt to temperature and environmental extremes such as hot to cold, dust, dirt and chemicals

 Able to work with minimal supervision

 Forklift assignments require OSHA certification and getting on and off frequently

Minimum Qualifications:

 Be 18 years of age or older

 Have a High school diploma, GED or equivalent education

 Basic knowledge of personal computers

 Demonstrated competency in computer and pc software including MS Office and email

 Must be willing and able to work and accept varying shifts and schedules

 Ability to understand and effectively communicate in the English language

 Good basic math, reading and writing skills

 Good communication skills

 Ability to work in a self directed manner with minimal supervision and a positive attitude

 High Level of mechanical aptitude and knowledge, with good skills in troubleshooting and

problem solving

 Basic knowledge of food safety, GMP, GHOP, HACCP, SPC

 Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

 Forklift experience

 Push Pull Lift experience a plus

 Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team environment with a positive attitude and minimal supervision

 Good problem solving and/or troubleshooting skills

 Working knowledge of Safety, Quality and Material Management Systems and procedures

 Ability to read and understand the daily production run schedule, and execute to that plan

 Ability to communicate to managers and team members any production, quality/food safety or other business critical information vital to operations and customer service

Company-paid relocation is not available for this position.

As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars Petcare North America offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.

If you're looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called"associates" and treated as such, then we want to hear from you. We value a diverse work environment and encourage qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, religion, disability, national origin, veteran status, gender and age. Mars Petcare North America is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Reno
Nearest Secondary Market: Tahoe
Job Segment: Engineer, Testing, R&D Engineer, Engineering, Technology