Batching/Digest 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.

Purpose of Role

 The Batching Operator is a core position in the conversion of raw materials into finished pet food by safely and efficiently receiving, analyzing and processing raw ingredients.

 This position also completes preventative maintenance and mechanically troubleshoots system equipment, and is responsible to train other processing associates.

Principal Accountabilities

 Responsible for the total operation of any combination of the following unit operations.

 Operation includes operating all system, performing all quality checks, maintaining conformance reports and systems logs, troubleshooting all aspects of each system and maintaining area in a clean, orderly manner.

 Manage the batching schedule, and batch to assure accurate batches of mixed meal delivered through the hammermill and screening system.

 Coordinate flexible workforce activities as needed for recipe specific requirements.

 Participate in setting strategy for the processing system to ensure meeting of exceeding production schedule in the most efficient manner possible.

 Maintain a safe and clean work environment to promote associate safety and product integrity.

 Troubleshoot processing system to optimize performance and take corrective action to ensure product quality while minimizing unnecessary downtime.

 Perform preventative and downtime maintenance of area equipment and helps make incremental improvements.

 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.

 Assist Research and Development on new products improving current ones.

 Prepare and maintain SOP's and training modules.

 Participate in problem solving groups as appropriate.

 Train other area associates in operation of all areas and systems.

 Participate in site safety program and actively look for ways to improve site area safety.

 Associate is responsible for communicating and elevating any quality and food safety concerns to site management.

 Other similar duties as assigned.

 Responsible for communicating and elevating any quality and food safety concerns to site management.

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge

 Mechanical aptitude

 Housekeeping skills and knowledge of GMP's.

 Knowledge of personal computers.

 Problem-solving skills.

 Ability to lift 52 lbs.

 Ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts under fast paced conditions such as heat, cold, high and/ or confined spaces and possesses mobility with the ability to climb ladders and stairs.

 Hearing and speaking ability both in person and on the phone.

 Ability to recognize colors.

 Interpersonal skills to work in a team environment with a positive attitude and minimal supervision.

Desired Education

 High school diploma or equivalent plus 2-3 years work or military experience (manufacturing environment preferred).

 Basic math, reading and writing skills.

Working Conditions

Work at times, with extreme temperatures (heat/humidity in extrusion; cold/wind/rain in Wet and Dry receiving; and varying degrees of heat and noise around dryers and hammer mills.

General Physical Demands of Position

Demands Description

Strength

Standing 20% of the time Safe equipment start-up/shutdown

Walking 75% of the time Monitoring equipment & product

Sitting 5% of the time Control room monitoring

Lifting 52lbs. Minor ingredient handling.

Carrying 20-40lbs.

Pushing 75 lbs.

Pulling 75 lbs.

Other general demands.

Climbing Vertical ladders/stairs/catwalks balancing

Stooping Inspecting under & around

Kneeling equipment.

Crouching

Crawling

Reaching Minor ingredient handling.

Handling

Speaking Necessary for effective

Hearing communication.

Seeing Monitoring equipment & product

Depth perception Monitoring equipment/start-up/

Color Vision shutdown.

Necessary for product evaluation

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