Job Summary:

The Operations Lead (Day Shift) will be required to providing support to the leadership team and employees at the site. Performs fill-in duties that will assist the team in the production of aseptically packaged products in a safe, clean work environment. As well as all functions relating to operating the production equipment used to manufacture food products.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Leadership and ownership of the department, job responsibilities and job function.
• Serve as a source of technical knowledge and expertise for the production line.
• Assists in the development of standard operating procedures, trains employees and project development.
• Performs all jobs in the area as necessary to cover breaks, PTO, and training.
• Assume the responsibilities of shift supervisor in his/her absence.
• Monitors and fixes faults as well as clearing any material jams in equipment.
• Conducts required quality checks to assure standards are met.
• Maintain clean and organized area around equipment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operating difficulties involving area equipment.
• Perform routine and corrective maintenance on all machines.
• Support mechanics in appropriate maintenance activities.
• Accurately prepares and maintains all area paperwork.
• Proficient and comfortable using a computer.
• Performs a variety of quality and food safety checks to ensure standards and specifications are met.
• Prepare, distribute, and maintain records and paperwork related to assigned tasks.
• Audit quality, safety, and other processes.
• Works with management to ensure effective organizational design and roles are correctly organized, defined, documented, and communicated to all employees.
• Assist in the development of standard operating procedures, train employees and project development.
• Communicate to all other facility personnel regarding any delays or problems that would hinder production.
• Must follow all employee safety, food safety and quality procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Responsible for proper shift handoff with incoming/outgoing operators.
• Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when required.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Key Accountabilities:
Safety

• Adheres to all plant safety rules
• Reports all near misses and accidents to the production supervisor and or HR representative
• Serves an active role the plant safety programs, by 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 processing adjustments, to ensure the manufacturing of high-quality liquid-based products.
• Responsible for compliance with GMP's, HACCP and SQF programs
• Identifies all critical control points (CCP) understanding their functions it relates to the process.
• Accurately prepares and maintains processing area documentation. Writing legibly and completely filling out all documents. Operators name must be signed on each document used.

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:

• Maintain 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 effective shift communication and teamwork with 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 a strong team.
• Works well among co-workers as a team.
• Assist in coaching and training employees as requested by the management team.

Personal Development:

• Continuously improve your knowledge of the Aseptic Filling process.
• Become familiar with SunOpta 360.
• Completes and adheres to the Annual Alchemy Schedule.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Fill in as needed in the absence of the shift supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED.
• Two to five years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree or higher.
• Experience in Food manfuacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of business, computers and math.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Works with minimal amount of supervision.
• Able to evaluate a situation, attention-to-detail, and ability to make decisions independently.
• A desire to succeed and good work ethics are required.
• Excellent oral and written skills.
• High-energy, flexible, self-starter, hands-on, comfortable with little or no administrative support.
• Team player with a sense of urgency and a self-accountability mentality.
• Flexibility to cover other shifts and weekends, as needed.
• Understands procedures for all allergens and how to prevent cross contamination.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain accurate paperwork.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve moderate to complex issues associated with the processors and related equipment.
• Ability to assess a situation and make quick and accurate decisions that will aid in production.
• Must adhere to all GMP's and Safety Procedures established by Management.
• Understand terminology related to the process and surge equipment.
• Must be able to stand and work for long periods of time (12) hours and lift a minimum 30-50 pounds frequently and push/pull pallet jacks and lifts with heavy loads.

.Additional Considerations:

• Location: This position will be at the SunOpta Plant in Midlothian, TX.
• Shift:This will be a day shift position on a 2-2-3 pattern; 6 am to 6:30 pm.
• Work Environment: The majority of this role will be in a food manufacturing environment.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.