Mixer in Birmingham

The Senior Mixer is responsible for efficiently producing finished products and maintaining the highest possible food safety quality standards. Set up, operation, monitoring and cleaning equipment in order to ensure the most efficient production and highest level of product quality at all times and minimizing waste. Make adjustments to equipment as needed. Operate all line equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Operate material handling equipment including a powered forklift to move/stage ingredients and transport pallets of finished product to proper storage location.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Start up and check automated equipment for preventative maintenance issues, proper set up, and operation.
• Perform minor corrective maintenance and adjustments as needed.
• Perform pre-shift preparation, ensure all surfaces that contact product, i.e., piping, utensils and vessels are sanitized and ready for operation.
• Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions to determine root cause.
• Requires knowledge of electro/mechanical/pneumatic functions as well as proper operating conditions including air pressure, temperatures, electrical eye alignment and machine settings.
• Interpret machine error codes.
• Read and follow daily production schedule to determine products to be processed and know their specific requirements as well as process in the established sequence for filling.
• Follow batch sheet without deviation while mixing product. Any deviation must be approved. All deviations recorded on the batch adjustment sheet.
• Makes necessary approved adjustments, monitors gauges, equipment and temperatures.
• Keeps records of batches made, ingredients used, and records processing parameters.
• Comply with all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), safety procedures, company policies, quality policies and procedures, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points as they apply to this position.
• Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls.
• Performs quality checks on proper package seals, weights, lot codes, special customer codes, and case inspections to ensure that all quality and customer specifications are met.
• Also performs basic product testing to ensure product viscosities are within required specifications.
• Maintains OEE/SIS performance information, documentation on production output, equipment downtime and completes all other required paperwork, timely and accurately.
• Maintain ingredient location/tracking documentation, follow finished goods location procedures and report all variances.
• Must be able to operate processing, filling and packaging equipment for a mayonnaise production line.
• This will include basic equipment PMs, clean/inspect/lubrication tasks including equipment teardown and sanitation.
• Safely operate material handling equipment to move/stage ingredients and move finished product pallets to proper storage location.
• Responsible for following proper sanitation procedures and guidelines to ensure a safe quality product.
• Also responsible for all Clean In Place (CIP), Clean Out of Place (COP), and chemical foaming equipment documentation to ensure it is accurate and all pertinent information is completed.
• Responsible to monitor flow charts and graphs to record time, temperature, and conductivity of chemicals while operating CIP, COP, and foaming systems.
• Also has to perform chemical concentration checks using titration test kits to verify proper chemical levels to meet recommended specifications.
• Must have good mechanical ability to disassemble colloid mills, positive displacement and diaphragm pumps.
• Also disassemble fillers pulling the pistons and rotors to clean and sanitize.
• Also must replace o-rings, lubricate, and reassemble.
• Must perform periodic teardowns of processing and packaging equipment such as: heat exchangers, B&L pump heads, product fillers, and packaging equipment for preventive microbiology issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of experience on a production line in a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience handling chemicals preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Able to read, write and interpret correspondence, documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals and routine reports.
• Possess math skills required to accurately verify quality checks.
• Ability to spot errors or potential errors and take corrective action.
• Requires mechanical aptitude with good hand and eye coordination and dexterity in handling bulky objects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with coworkers, other departments and managers.
• Capable of being forklift licensed/certified with the ability to be trained and demonstrate safe operation of material handling equipment.

Physical Demands:

All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required.

Work Environment:

Typical shifts are 8-12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity; be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.