Blending Operator - SlimFast (1st shift)

Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, producing low-calorie sweeteners, coffee, coffee creamers and liquid water enhancers.  We manufacture and market Splenda, the #1 brand in the low calorie sweetener category and the most recognized in the world.

We make coffee, tea and water taste better and help people live happier, healthier and longer lives by making it easy to reduce sugar.

The role is on-site at our Indianapolis Manufacturing Plant, not a remote opportunity.

Scope:

The Blending Operator sets up and operates equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. This individual is considered a functional expert and provides direction, training and assistance to other operators.  The Blending Operator will ensure that safety, quality, production and cost KPI’s are achieved.  The Blending Operator will also be a primary point of contact for their assigned machine. They must to be able to troubleshoot, improve operation throughout the day, and hit efficiency targets.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities:

• Promotes safety amongst team and conducts him/herself in accordance with all safety guidelines at all times; Complies with all food manufacturing and safety regulations.
• Utilizes all food safety and food security guidelines, including Safe Quality Foods (SQF) good manufacturing practices and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points.
• Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
• Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.
• Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
• Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or ribbon blender, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
• Clean and sterilize blenders and factory processing areas.
• Must be able to document batch data with accuracy and legibility. 
• Maintain and troubleshoot equipment; provide assistance to operations for adjustments and changeovers as needed
• Perform routine maintenance and preventive maintenance work in alignment with manufacturing schedules and requirements.
• Develop problem-solving skills to perform equipment improvements and enhancements to optimize production with positive contribution to all key plant indicators of safety, quality, cost, and service.

• Maintains and completes documentation of permanent records for the company and its customers with a high degree of neatness and accuracy. 
• Demonstrates essential problem-solving methods and initiative.

• A strong commitment to improving performance; proactive maintenance to minimize down time.
• Maintains professional, helpful attitude in dealings with co-workers, supervisors, and their departmental personnel at all times.
• Starts up, shuts down, and completes product change overs on all manufacturing equipment following SOPs
• Repairs or replaces defective parts.
• Has general awareness and knowledge of Environmental, Health and Safety standards and how they affect the department.
• Trained on department work instructions and easily identifies location of work instructions in department.
• Maintains and completes documentation of permanent records for the company and its customers with a high degree of neatness and accuracy. 
• Demonstrates essential problem-solving methods and initiative.
• Keeps work area clean and organized
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High School diploma, GED or equivariant
• 1 year of mechanical experience in a manufacturing or maintenance environment.

• Good communication skills with operators, other mechanics and resources.
• Ability to analyze data and make decisions/recommendations based on analysis.
• Ability and willingness to operate and support a positive culture and follow established values.
• Ability to integrate into all parts of the operation to support the facility in achieving our goals & objectives
• Proactive individual that takes responsibility for their equipment, line, coworkers and the continuous improvement of the operation.
• Able to work in a team environment where honest communication, a positive attitude, engagement, and personal accountability is expected.
• Able to work with computers (navigating systems, recording information, using to find information to perform the job)

• Demonstrate a very high sense of urgency. 
• Must have ability to understand oral and written instructions in English

• Must have good job performance and attendance records
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment & handle multiple tasks.

Physical Demands:  

• Must be able to physically perform the functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions 
• Must be able to work extended hours, such as daily overtime and an occasional weekend 
• Must possess visual acuity to document company records 
• Lifting up to 40 pounds 

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