REPORTS TO: Shift Lead (and/or) Plant Manager
PURPOSE: The Utility Operator is responsible for maintaining plant cleanliness, monitoring equipment and process flow, and assisting with routine maintenance activities to support safe and efficient plant operations. This position plays a key role in ensuring housekeeping standards, operational reliability, and production efficiency throughout the facility.
Plant Cleaning & Housekeeping
- Maintain cleanliness of production, processing, and utility areas throughout the facility.
- Perform routine cleaning of floors, equipment, platforms, conveyors, and work areas.
- Remove waste, spills, and debris in accordance with company safety and environmental standards.
- Assist with sanitation activities as required.
- Ensure housekeeping standards meet regulatory and company requirements.
Equipment Monitoring & Process Support
- Monitor operating equipment and production processes for proper performance.
- Conduct routine inspections of machinery, conveyors, pumps, motors, and other plant equipment.
- Identify and report abnormal operating conditions, leaks, unusual noises, or equipment malfunctions.
- Assist operators in maintaining efficient product flow throughout the plant.
- Record operational observations and communicate issues to management.
Maintenance Assistance
- Assist maintenance personnel with basic repairs and preventive maintenance activities.
- Perform simple mechanical tasks such as replacing belts, hoses, filters, gaskets, and lubricating equipment as needed.
- Assist with equipment teardown, cleaning, and reassembly.
- Use hand and power tools safely and effectively.
- Support maintenance shutdowns and startup activities.
Safety & Compliance
- Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and lockout/tagout requirements.
- Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Report unsafe conditions, accidents, and near-miss incidents immediately.
- Participate in safety meetings and/or training programs.
- Maintain compliance with company quality, environmental, and food/feed safety standards.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and lift throughout the workday.
- Ability to work in hot, cold, wet, dusty, and noisy environments.
- Ability to climb ladders and work around industrial machinery as needed.
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as required.
Key Competencies
- Dependability and attendance
- Mechanical aptitude
- Safety awareness
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and communication
- Attention to detail
- Initiative and willingness to learn
JOB REQUIREMENTS (cont.):
- Ability to troubleshoot malfunction and situations as they arise, notifying appropriate staff of problems beyond scope of normality.
- Ability to cooperate with all staff.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to assist in all work areas.
- Ensure principles of animal food hygiene and animal food safety are followed and maintained.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND EXPOSURES:
General manufacturing working conditions exist. Exposures include, but are not limited to chemicals, odor, caustics, temperatures ranging from freezing to extreme heat, high noise levels, dust, moving equipment/machinery and extended work hours. Will be required to stand for an extended period of time on concrete floors. Will be exposed to chemicals used during production and cleanup.
Education:
High School Diploma or GED certificate preferred.
Experience:
Previous work experience in agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.
“Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of the job duties and requirements associated with this job but is intended to represent an accurate reflection of the current job.”