Mechanic Operator - WDS

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you'll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar-free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman's, and Pangburn's have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company-owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let's continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life...

As a Mechanic Operator for WDS, you will be performing changeovers, assisting the lead of the area, coordinating WDS staff during changeovers/cleans, sanitizing your area during and at the end of your shift, as well as other duties as assigned by management.

What you will be doing...

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

• Setting up and pre-running the equipment to ensure proper production start-up.
• Controlling of line speeds, batch formula production rates, starting and stopping equipment, and overall product elegance and safety.
• Ensuring that various quality checks are completed.
• Assisting in completion of 5s, AM and all other LPW functions.
• Completing all required paperwork (for example: downtime, HACCP, etc., utilizing SAP SOP's Safety operation training as appropriate).
• WDS Setup - able to perform the necessary machine adjustments at startup and making necessary machine adjustments at changeovers to ensure minimal downtime.
• Responsible for WDS Changeovers - able to perform the mechanical / operational changeovers of the WDS.
• Assisting leads daily in efficient WDS production operation. This may include coordinating staff, identifying staff shortages, identifying production shortfalls, assisting as needed, and coordinating WDS staff during changeovers & cleans.
• Working directly with supervisors, management, and contractors
• Training all operators and back up operators as needed.
• Accurately reporting downtime with sign off. Must be able to maintain accurate downtime reporting for accurate OEE/TE accountability.
• Performing accurate Quality 302 paperwork.
• Adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines to ensure product quality and uphold food safety standards.
• Learning to Identify and address potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non-conformities, while maintaining proactive communication with supervisors.
• Documenting food safety and quality procedures, maintaining detailed records of monitoring, verification, and corrective actions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

(Basic Qualifications)

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• This job is in a fast-paced environment and will require you to be physically active!
• Stand and walk on concrete for long periods of time and work in cold and/or hot temperatures
• Operate machines safely with minimal supervision
• Communicate and problem solve with coworkers and perform basic math
• Obtain necessary production specifications
• Pass on/relay information to co-workers, to and from all employee levels including management
• Work different ranges of hours such as overtime or weekend shifts (Hours for this position may change based on production schedule)
• Must have visual / hearing ability to sufficient to recognize or detect warning devices/signs.
• Must have high speed mobility to react accordingly to minimize machine downtime
• Possess basic math skills.
• Able to read and write in English.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs. without accommodation.
• Able to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend and lift overhead during a 10-hour shift
• High school diploma or GED

Do you stand above the rest?

(Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience operating machinery in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing equipment.
• Experience leading a team.

Experience the Excitement at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well-being is our top priority, and we've got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you'll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we'll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you're always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside cutting-edge equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels - it's a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you're on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there's never a dull moment. This is a place where you'll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens like nuts, milk, and more.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.

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