We invite you to apply to our Packaging Technician position at our Bowling Green, KY dry pet food manufacturing facility. Starting pay rate is $25.78 per hour with $1.00 Shift Differential. Apply today to be eligible for a $1,000 Sign On Bonus!! 

 To package product according to Hill’s quality standards and guidelines

 Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends team meetings and obtains information from outgoing shift
• Communicates with outgoing line person from prior shift to ascertain line status
• Conducts visual and hands on inspection of Packaging machinery and equipment to ensure full functionality prior to starting the line
• Preps line to be run
• Starts up and runs line (requires bending, lifting up to 50 lbs, repetitive motion in the arms and back, standing on feet for a maximum of 3 hours, routinely climbing up to 3 flights of stairs of 15 steps each, and mental concentration). Objects to be lifted that may weigh 50 pounds include bags of product that must be cut open and reworked. Consequences of not being able to lift these bags include having to scrap the materials rather than being able to use it in the production process which could result in a significant adverse financial impact.
• Operates all sealers for all size bags
• Hand stacks all bag sizes (1-50 lbs bags).
• Conducts line changeovers for different product or bag size
• Changes carrier screens to accommodate different size product
• Troubleshoots minor problems that occur on the line
• Responsible for weighing product (requires lifting up to 50 lbs), measuring kibble size for length of variation, and recording the data every half hour on control charts and into the shop floor computer system
• Visually inspects product every half hour for consistency of color, shape, and product consistency (mixing of product)
• Takes samples of product every half hour by placing in plastic containers
• Gathers sample containers at end of shift and delivers to the Lab for second inspection and analyticals, and provides empty containers for incoming shift
• Takes EEC (European Economic Community) samples for Salmonella testing according to set guidelines
• Operates Palletizer for bags sized 10 lbs through 40 lbs
• Places protective cardboard covers over pallets before pallets are shrink wrapped
• Operates and maintains Shrink wrap machine and changes out rolls of shrink wrap as needed (requires lifting up to 45 lbs)
• Generates bar code labels utilizing WonderWare computer software and Zebra printers and affixes bar code labels to completed pallets after they come off the Packaging line
• Produces end of shift reports that include: number of pallets produced and amount of pounds produced through finished goods
• Generates printout of data entries
• Reconciles reports through Materials Services to ensure finished goods accountability
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and sanitary work area (requires sweeping, mopping, sanitizing, shoveling, and pushing)
• Accountable for meeting or exceeding safety standards according to the published Hill’s Safety Policy at the Bowling Green plant
• Understand and comply with Hill’s policies, safety standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Food Safety. Identify and report Food Safety issues to management.
• Operates forklift and moves pallets up to three high across the plant
• Participates on other cross-functional teams

• Shares information and communicates on routine matters with other Packaging Team Members in person
• Communicates on routine matters with Shift Leaders, Shift Optimization Technicians/Team Coordinators, Utility Technicians and Shift Quality Resources in person or by radio

• Other job functions that may be assigned*

*  All of the essential job functions include, but are not limited to, the duties and requirements listed in the job description.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or the equivalent
• Ability to lift 50 pounds repeatedly for extended periods of time
• Ability to work with cleaning chemicals in non-temperature controlled environments
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders, bend to 90 degrees repeatedly, squat and lay prone to the floor for extended periods.
• Must be able to work any shift, weekends and mandatory overtime as needed.
• Proficient with computers, software, and data processing.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to work a 2-2-3 (12 hour shift) schedule.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated competency of Attention to Detail, Work Standards, Initiative and Managing Work
• Technical college/vocational school certificate or Associates degree in related field highly preferred
• Food safety experience a plus
• Previous manufacturing work team experience preferred with packaging equipment
• Demonstrated competency in problem solving/decision making, effective communication, results oriented, and job fit motivation.
• SAP knowledge is highly preferred