PACKAGING MACHINE OPERATOR

SUMMARY: Responsible for the operation, calibration, and maintenance of the Hayssen and hand packaging machines and label printing equipment. There are various levels of PMO: Entry Level, Level II, Level I. Each level has its own set of requirements to complete before being certified in that Level and being eligible to move on to a higher level.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.• Complies with all safety rules and regulations in order to maintain a safe work environment.• Identifies safety hazards within the PMO area and submits findings to Production Supervisor or Production Manager.• Communicates with the Packaging Supervisor on issues that affect the efficiency of the packaging machine and label printing equipment operations.• This includes but is not limited to equipment malfunctions, film irregularities, product availability, product/line changes, and quality defects.• Maintains packaging and label printing equipment and keeps surrounding area clean and organized.• Audits condition of the packaging and label printing equipment and writes work orders to correct any problems.• Submits work orders to Production Supervisor and Production Manager.• Operates packaging and label printing equipment in an efficient manner to increase production, reduce rework, and minimize downtime.• Follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to comply with AIB and USDA (QTV) program.• Assists other PMO's as needed.• When working on another line, responsible for following the instructions for that line including regular line checks and completion of documentation.• Continually tests for seal integrity.• Take proactive measures to ensure machines supplies such as master packs, condiments, corrugated, film and products are available in a timely manner not resulting in unnecessary downtime.• Communicates in advance with PMO Lead and/or supervisor of upcoming issues such as lack of raw product, condiments or personnel, which may negatively impact machine efficiency.• Sets the proper example of behaviors needed to ensure machine efficiency, quality products and associate safety is in place.EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCEHigh school diploma or general education degree (GED); Six (6) months to two years related experience and/or training in operation of Hayssen/Bowl and label printing Equipment. See other skills and abilities for additional requirements.LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other associates of the organization.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 percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Entry Level: Up to Six (6) months on the job training in operation of the packaging and label printing equipment. Learns to start and stop equipment. Learns to thread film from the unwind and onto the forming tube and splice film properly. Becomes familiar with all the films used at STF. Becomes familiar with all the terminology related to film problems. Identifies the proper screens for manual and automatic operations. Makes empty bags and installs tape on jaws. Enters the Program Select screen and pulls up the proper program. Cleans out any product that bridges in the former. Positions film in correct registration. Correctly relates the proper forming tube to the film being run. Removes, installs, and reinstalls cutoff knife, scale vibrators, feed, weight and memory buckets. Re-zeros and cleans out scale. Sets up and changes ribbons on code date printers Sets/pulls up correct program and changes ribbons on label applicators. Learns and understands the different bag and label code systems used at STF. Learns to perform bag leak checks as needed. Understands the daily production schedule and is able to have packaging equipment ready for prompt production. Performs and documents scheduled line checks to comply with AIB, QTV, and QC standards. Is responsible for producing good quality bags. Understands weight conversion and units of measurement. Able to take and pass the PMO Entry Level Test at the end of the basic training. This level must be passed to progress to PMO II.PMO Level II Must have passed the Entry Level test. Minimum six (6) months to two (2) years experience. Possess the ability to continue to learn and to trouble shoot the packaging and label printing equipment with little supervision from the PMO Technician. Must be able to re-zero, calibrate, and inhibit all scales. Makes new programs which would include correct bag length, proper registration, code date placement, scale timing for the speed required, weight settings with minimal giveaway. Identifies and corrects air leaks in seal and wrinkles, and film tracking problems. Identifies film related problems that can be attributed solely to the film, which can only be corrected by film replacement. Completes film change over within allotted time frames. Performs scheduled maintenance to packaging and label printing equipment. This includes but is not limited to machine lubrication, replacing knife and pull belts. and maintaining oil and water levels. Ability to run packaging equipment with minimal film waste. Possess a complete understanding of the daily production schedule and the ability to anticipate product changes to have all materials ready (film, ribbon, date code, etc.) for a prompt change over. Able to take and pass the PMO Level II test. This level must be passed before being considered for promotion to PMO I.PMO Level I: Must have passed PMO Level II. Minimum of two (2) years experience. Able to operate packaging and label printing equipment without assistance from the PMO Technician. Able to write programs on packaging and label printing equipment to compensate for unexpected variables. Has a complete understanding of the mechanical and electrical operation of the packaging and label printing equipment to be able to trouble shoot and correct most of the common problems. Removes and repairs problems with the feed pan latch and all buckets linkage. Disassembles a forming tube. Is able to replace a timing belt for the Measuring Roller, a set of drive/idler pulleys for the pull belts, the pull belt actuator cylinder, a knife assembly, a set of stripper assemblies, and a brake pad and adjust the brake pressure. Is able to repair a Stager cable and plate positioning, and the code dater plunger cylinder. Able to take and pass the PMO Level I test. This level must be passed in order to be considered for PMO Lead or PMO Technician.PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The associate frequently is required to climb or balance. The associate is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the associate regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, toxic or caustic chemicals, and extreme cold. The associate occasionally works in high, precarious places. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.