Extruder Operator - 2nd Shift at Mars, Incorporated in Reno, Nevada

Job Description:

Job Description:

Responsible for ensuring quality product is extruded and will operate/change over specified machinery in the assigned area. Operator must have the skill set 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be 18 years of age or older


• 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

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

• 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

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


• 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.


• 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

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.


• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.


• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.


• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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.