Packaging Operator
Lamb Weston

Title: Packaging Operator

Location: Pasco, WA

About Lamb Weston

We love making fries almost as much as you like eating them! Since the 1950's, Lamb Weston has inspired customers with food they love, trust, and share with families and friends. As a leading global manufacturer of quality frozen potato products with over 9,000+ team members around the world, it's our business to see the possibilities in potatoes and people.

We are looking for team members with an appetite for a challenge! People who are hungry to join a winning team and help us make a difference in the world. When you join Lamb Weston, you join a community with a strong support network and training programs designed to nurture, inspire, and help you grow.

We are driven by a relentless pursuit of results and by people who think creatively and embrace our values of: Integrity, Teamwork, Inclusion, Drive for Results, and Empowerment. Exactly what you'd expect from the most inventive potato company in the world!

Join Lamb Weston! We bring the world together with our fries.

Job Description Summary

The operator is responsible for the set-up, start up, adjustment, and running of equipment in the packaging areas from cold inspection to the glue deck. It is their responsibility, under the directions of the team leader and/or lead, to ensure all packaging meets quality specifications for paper/poly type, bag code, primary and secondary container condition, and bag length. They are also responsible for cleaning the Ishida scales, baggers, settlers, glue machines in a way that no foreign material is introduced into the product.

Job Description

• Actively practice and abide by all company work, safety and personal hygiene rules and regulations as outlined in the employee handbook.
• Know and demonstrate proper lockout-tag out on all packaging equipment.
• Participate in Behavior Based Observations, Hazard ID's, and other safety engagement activities as instructed.
• Participate in Joint Stabilization and Stretch Breaks program throughout the workday as instructed.
• Utilize and inspect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) per company policy and notify Sanitation Team Leader, Team Leader or Lead if replacement is required. Per specific customer request, will be required to wear additional PPE.
• Immediately report any work related pain, injury, near miss, or safety concern to the Team Leader.
• Participate in all required safety training as instructed.
• Operate and adjust all equipment from cold inspection through the glue deck, including: belts, shakers, scale equipment, packaging machines, case packers, case settlers, case sealers, case glue systems, and coders to ensure product is efficiently packaged according to product specifications
• Monitor and adjust scales to achieve optimum packaging efficiency. This includes continuous sanitation of the feeding and weighing equipment to ensure proper efficiencies. Notify Supervisor of problems.
• Adjust and regulate add back of bulk product during repack and controlled blending operations as instructed by the supervisor.
• Continuously monitor transition of primary containers from the packaging machines to the case packers. Operator is responsible for cases until they reach the auto palletizer
• Monitor and adjust equipment to ensure the proper sealing of primary containers. Trouble shoots to resolve issues. Notify Supervisory personnel of problems.
• Keep package machines loaded with correct paper and/or poly film.
• Safely operate paper roll handler.
• Monitor and adjust bag weights to ensure targeted weights are met as designated by QA specifications are met and not exceeded.
• Notify the Supervisor if bag codes are illegible or missing.
• Ensure bag lengths meet budgeted targets by monitoring and adjusting lengths. Enter bag lengths into QA entry. Inform Supervisor if target bag lengths cannot be obtained/note any variance.
• Ensure minimal paper/poly and case waste
• Clear and restart case packer after product jams and stoppages. Trouble shoots to resolve upstream issues causing jams and stoppages. Communicate continuing jamming problems to the supervisor so maintenance can investigate and fix the problem.
• Request and maintain proper inventories of dry supplies in the packaging area such as paper, poly-film, KDs, etc. Also monitor the quality of incoming dry supplies to ensure QA and GMP standards are being met. Notify the Supervisor of all problems.
• Case code verification every 15 minutes.
• Every 15 minutes check case condition and be sure cases are glued properly. Check at least 7 cases on each line.
• Glue/tape any open cases and put back onto the line.
• Clean glue machines whenever a line goes down. Notify Maintenance / Team Lead via radio if there is a problem with a glue machine, case settler, case code, etc. that you cannot troubleshoot
• Fill out "Out of Centerline" report when equipment is not at standard settings for product being produced for all pieces of equipment in owner area and communicate this to supervisory personnel
• Keep an eye on all lines and unplug any jams.
• Rework case damage and dump to bulk.
• Help train new personnel in the position of Line 1, 7, 8, and 9 Package Operator.
• Perform sanitation work as assigned by Supervisory and Lead personnel.
• Keep work area clean and follow area ownership 5S.
• Work together with all employees as a team to achieve company objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisory and Lead personnel.
• Must be able to qualify as a Prep Utility prior to training as a Packaging Operator L2.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. The employee:

• Will regularly work near moving mechanical parts.
• Is frequently exposed to moderately cold surrounding.
• Is occasionally exposed to humid conditions as well as moderate heat and cold environments.
• May be occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, batter dust, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration.
• Will regularly work in an environment in which the noise level is usually loud.

Basic & Preferred Qualifications

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. To successfully perform this job an individual must:

• Have the ability and willingness to follow instructions
• Read, understand, and obey all plant rules and practice safety as outlined in the employee handbook including the lockout-tag out procedure
• Must be conscientious and consistent in his/her work
• Be knowledgeable of proper body mechanics and safe lifting techniques
• Be knowledgeable of the potential hazards and safety procedures associated with the task being done
• Ability to effectively communicate in English
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions correctly and efficiently
• Effectively present information in one-on-one and/or small group settings to team leaders and/or leads and management as well as other employees of the organization respectfully and tactfully

Education

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee must:

• Be able to sit, stand, walk, and climb.
• Have good hand-eye coordination
• Have good finger and dexterity
• Be able to reach with his/her hands and arms repetitively
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis
• Able to push and pull heavy items on occasion.
• Have specific vision abilities required by this job, which include: close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Industry-Competitive Benefits

Coupled with our compensation and bonus incentive programs, our benefits deliver rewards that are market competitive. Some of the most attractive elements of our benefit programs include:

• Health Insurance Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision
  
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health and Dependent Care, and Health Reimbursement Accounts
  
• Well-being programs including companywide events and a wellness incentive program
  
• Paid Time Off
  
• Financial Wellness - Industry leading 401(k) plan with generous company contributions, Financial Planning Services, Employee Stock purchase program, and Health Savings Accounts, Life and Accident insurance
  
• Family-Friendly Employee events
  
• Employee Assistance Program services - mental health and other concierge type services
  

Benefits may vary based on location, job role/level, job status, and/or the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Job Requisition ID: Req-234261

Time Type: Full time

Anticipated Close Date: 03/14/2024

In compliance with applicable state and local laws, Lamb Weston has opted to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation is specific to this position and takes into account a number of variables. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to a candidate's work location, job duties, experience and expertise. A reasonable hourly estimate of the range for this role based on the variables previously mentioned is: $20.49

Lamb Weston is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law

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