Machine Operator

Founded in 1992 as a functional ingredient manufacturing company, RIBUS, Inc. supplies  natural and organic rice ingredients to food, beverage, dietary supplement and pet companies around the world. The foundation of our business is to provide clean label alternatives that can help solve production issues and bring innovation to your products.

The Machine Operator operates equipment and processes rice hulls in accordance with material specifications at the Sparks Plant which includes the following areas: Grinding, Sterilizing, Packaging. Operators will complete quality checks during production to ensure materials meet specifications. In addition, they will also perform the sanitation and changeover of equipment as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Operators must work closely together with the Plant Manager to coordinate the line activity and movement of resources and labor to ensure safety, quality and performance objectives are met.
• Must operate and changeover the line within required timelines and demonstrate the ability to consistently meet our goals.
• Prepares work area at the beginning of shift and cleans up work area at the end of shift for the next machine operator if multiple shifts are being scheduled. Cleans area at end of production run to ensure area is ready for next job. Observes standards of personal and workplace cleanliness. Cleans or sanitizes all food contact surfaces between changes of product.

Grinding:

• Receives raw material for the grinding process. Provides BOL and Trailer Inspection documents to the Plant Manager for the creation of the BPR.
• Understands how to operate the unloading hopper, grinder, sifter and air lock system.
• Takes Ro-Tap test every hour to ensure product is within particle size.
• Removes and replaces screens in the sifter.
• Operator will be able to troubleshoot any issues encountered at the Grinding area.
• Records all items and lot number information on production BPR, along with the rest of the supporting documents.
• Submits daily report of duties performed and production quantities produced.

Sterilizing and Packaging:

• Operator will be required to fill out the BPR and supporting documents.
• Ensure the sterilizer is turned On and Off properly.
• Understand the parameters needed for the sterilizer to ensure that dwell time and microbe specifications are met.
• Have an understanding of the CCP of the sterilizer and packaging areas.
• Ensure that the assigned CCP documents are filled out accordingly throughout the designated shift.
• Ensure that the proper packaging material is used during packaging.
• Understand how to operate the packaging equipment such as the bagger, sealer and the deration probe.
• Take product samples throughout the shift.
• Give moisture samples to the QA Manager every hour.
• Close BPR and provide documents to the Plant Manager for final review.
• Operate the forklift when needed.
• Wrap FG pallets and place them in their designated warehouse locations.
• Act as a shipping individual when needed.
• Keeps Quality Control and Research & Development departments informed, to ensure correct amounts of raw materials are used and to recommend improvements to existing products.
• Places raw materials into machine; operates controls to activate machine. Observes machine Learns and applies all policies and procedures for this position, including safety rules, good manufacturing practices, work rules, weight error charts, and sanitization practices. Operates all equipment in accordance with established safety policies.
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

Supports a culture of safe production and operations; follows all safety rules and procedures. Actively participates in the safety program by engaging in training activities to learn what constitutes a safety hazard; reporting safety concerns to the supervisor, submitting safety suggestions, and correcting or reporting to the appropriate people when an employee sees a workplace health or safety hazard, until it is resolved. Assists with communicating safety information to new employees. Fulfills responsibilities as outlined in the company safety management plan.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and twelve months of related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write daily reports. Ability to communicate with co-workers regarding the continuation of mixes in progress, and to instruct others to effectively assist in other areas as needed. Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees during department meetings.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage. Ability to perform standard mathematical calculations (e.g., add, subtract, multiply and divide) including basic algebra concepts; to understand weights and measures; and to use digital and balancing scales.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Good problem-solving skills required.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Previous machine operation experience and basic mechanical aptitude required. Good attention to detail skills required.

PERFORMANCE ABILITY

Certified to be an operator in the following areas: truck unloading, grinding, sterilizing, packaging and material handling. Ability to do minor maintenance to support line operation. Leads by example in safety, quality and dependability.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and/or walk; ascend and/or descend stairs; use hands to finger, handle, and feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

The employee must regularly manually lift, move (in some cases drag) slide, raise and/or place:

- Up to 30 lb. force for up to 25 feet and then pull to original position.

- Up to 33 lbs. from 32-inch shelf onto 48-inch shelf, then return to original position.

- Up to 50 lbs. for 3 feet at waist level; lift bag/box onto side and return to original position.

- Up to 60 lbs. from 31-inch shelf and 2-hand carry for up to 5 feet; return 60 lbs. to 31 inch surface.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to herbal aromas, dust, and/or airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

• Hourly pay starting at: $22.00 depending on experience.
• Health insurance, dental, 401k

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