Machine Operator (Unionized Position) AM/PM/Weekend availability

At Chewters, we make great chocolate with great people! Chewters is a passionate team of chocolate makers that partners with some of North America’s leading chocolate brands to produce some of the continent’s prominent chocolate brands that are distributed across conventional and natural channels.

We are looking for someone mechanically minded to troubleshoot and operate our high-end machinery so our production lines continue to run smoothly and efficiently. As a Machine Operator, you’d be responsible for the safe operation of our molding and packaging equipment and training our production workers.

The perks of the job:

• This is a unionized position starting at $23.70/hr eventually going up to $27.82. Afternoon & overnight shift pays an extra premium.

• We pay 100% of your group extended health, vision, and dental benefits.

• At Chewters, we offer our Pay for Knowledge and Skill program (PKS) to ensure your growth and development. Basically, the more you learn, the more you earn!

You’re Responsibilities will include:

• Operate and continuous monitoring of molding and packaging machines and equipment.

• Manage and ensure equipment setup, startup, operation, and shutdown efficiently.

• Manage and ensure correct use of all ingredient, packaging materials and production supplies as per Production Work Order.

• Ensure correct labor allocation of GPW’s as per Production Work Order.

• Conduct all required process & quality tests; viscosity, temperature, weight, metal detector on required frequency.

• Minimize downtime and delays within the plant.

• Ensure startup and shut down procedures are followed and on time.

• Stopping the line when the product is not meeting standards (food safety, food quality, efficiency targets)

• Performs changeovers, minor repairs, and troubleshooting in consultation with maintenance.

• Disassemble, clean, sanitize and reassemble depositing equipment in each changeover.

• Responsible for setting up date coders in accordance with QA specifications.

• Accountable for Food Safety; (SQF, GMPs and HACCP)

• Conduct instrumentation validation on meters and scales.

• Monitor process and equipment control parameters during production

• Ensure compliance of 5S system (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) & GMP program(Good Manufacturing Practices)

• Follow corrective actions provided by QA or the Manufacturing Manager

• Supervise, coach, lead, and train GPWs on daily tasks

• Advise Shift Coordinator when GPWs are not following company procedures or unsafe practices

• Ensure GPWs are working safe and following safe work practices

• Accurately complete all documentation as required.

• Ensure any SQF violations are reported to QA or the Shift Coordinator

• Document and accurately report daily production records

• Ensure finished product pallets have ICR (Inventory control records) with correct information

• Document downtime and scrap reports as required

We’d like you to have the following skills:

• 3-5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment operating high-speed, automated manufacturing equipment. (VFFS, horizontal wrapping, carton loading, case packing & palletizing)

• Understanding of manufacturing regulations regarding safety, quality, HACCP, GMP’s, and SOP’s

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Good communication skills in English; written and verbal.

• Able to stand, bend and lift heavier items.

Working Conditions:

• Able to work on foot for long periods of time and performing repetitive work

• Wear PPE as needed; protective clothing, such as coats, hair nets and safety shoes

• Exposure to machinery sounds and loud noise levels.

Good stuff to know:

• If you’d like to make more money, there’s always plenty of optional overtime.

• There is plenty of free on-site parking and we are accessible by transit