Position Summary
The Line Operator is responsible for operating, setting up, adjusting, and supporting production and packaging lines to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of finished goods. This role works closely with Line Leads and Production teams to meet daily production goals while adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety regulations, and quality standards.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
- Operate and assist with the setup of production and packaging lines according to product and customer specifications, including fill weights, torque, labeling, coding, and other required adjustments.
- Perform minor equipment adjustments, basic troubleshooting, and support rapid changeovers (SMED) to minimize downtime.
- Assist with minor repairs, part replacement, adjustments, and preventive maintenance on filling and packaging equipment under GMP and safety guidelines.
- Safely operate and support equipment such as fillers, conveyors, blenders, pulverizers, coders, lasers, ink printers, labelers, and cartoners.
- Follow all safety policies and procedures, including Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO), E-Stop usage, and proper handling of industrial machinery.
- Disassemble, clean, sanitize, and reassemble production equipment; perform or assist with equipment swab tests after cleaning and ensure QC approval prior to start-up.
- Maintain good housekeeping and GMP standards in assigned areas and production lines.
- Accurately complete and maintain all required documentation, logbooks, and production records in compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor line performance, identify issues, and take immediate corrective action to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency.
- Support and collaborate with Production Associates and Line Leads to meet production targets with minimal supervision.
- Ensure equipment is powered down before performing cleaning or maintenance and never reach into moving machinery.
Technical Skills Required
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
- Good communication skills.
- Willingness to learn and continuously improve.
- Basic math skills.
- Familiarity with industrial tools and manufacturing equipment.
- Understanding of production flow (incoming inventory, pre-weighing, bulking, filling, and shipping).
- Knowledge of GMP and safety regulations.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
- Knowledge of SMED and quick changeovers is a plus.
Experience Required
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
- Previous experience working with industrial or packaging machinery preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to balance, climb, bend, squat, kneel, crouch, stoop, and perform repetitive motions.
- Ability to lift up to 50–75 pounds regularly and assist with heavier loads as needed.
- Frequent exposure to varying temperatures, loud noise, heavy machinery, fumes, airborne particles, chemicals, electrical components, vibrations, and moving mechanical parts.
- Frequent use of computer screens.
- Ability to distinguish colors and read labels with small print.
- Exposure to repetitive hand, wrist, and finger movements.