The Advanced Processing Team Member must be able to demonstrate they can perform tasks listed within a 90-day period in that position. Each Processing Team Member is expected to have three certifications within 1 year of hire.

Summary:
At Winland Foods, we believe great food starts with great people—people who live our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration every day.

As a Processing Team Member, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our production process running safely, smoothly, and efficiently. You’ll prepare ingredients for batching, operate and maintain processing equipment, monitor product flow, and ensure every batch meets our rigorous quality and food safety standards.
This role is more than just keeping production moving—it’s about working with a team that supports one another, takes pride in doing things the right way, and is committed to continuous improvement. By bringing your energy, attention to detail, and respect for safety, you’ll help us deliver food experiences that consumers can trust and enjoy.

Employee Type:

Full time

Location:

KY Buckner

Job Type:

Production Group

Job Posting Title:

Advanced Processing Team Member - 3rd Shift Traditional

Job Description:

What a Processing Team Member Does:

• Accurately weigh, measure, and stage ingredients according to batch sheets and production formulas.

• Operate, monitor, and maintain a variety of processing machinery and equipment.

• Take on roles such as machine operation, forklift driving, product inspection, processing, palletizing, and keeping the work area clean and organized.

• Use your technical skills in SAP, IQS, MII, and Weever to keep processing flowing.

• Perform inspections, complete equipment changeovers, and address operational issues quickly.

• Support your teammates to meet safety, quality, and productivity goals.

Skills a Processing Team Member Demonstrates:

• Mechanical aptitude and flexibility to adapt to changing needs.

• Strong communication skills and a team-first mindset.

• A commitment to maintaining Safe Quality Food (SQF) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in everything you do.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Safe Equipment Operation & Maintenance 

• Accurately weigh, measure, and stage ingredients according to batch sheets and production formulas.

• Review and follow production schedules and work orders to ensure timely preparation.

• Verify ingredient lot numbers, expiration dates, and quality prior to use.

• Operate scales, mixers, grinders, and other preparation equipment safely.

• Perform and oversee equipment operations and maintenance activities, including die changes, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive upkeep for manufacturing systems, and processing systems.

• Monitor equipment performance and ensure efficient, safe, and continuous operation across all systems.

• Perform routine operation checks.

• Perform daily inspections, preventive maintenance, and equipment changeovers.

• Ensure proper sanitation after changeovers.

• Execute advanced troubleshooting, pre-inspection checks, and complex changeovers.

• Monitor and optimize line performance.

Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management

• Ensure accurate scaling to prevent batch deviations.

• Conduct pre-operational checks and report any quality or safety concerns.

• Monitor ingredient levels and notify supervisors of shortages

• Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, and processing.

• Perform manual packing and palletizing.

• Follow FIFO inventory methods, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP.

• Conduct quality checks on products and processing.

• Properly dispose of waste and document material usage variances.

• Verify weight control, material accuracy, and product quality at multiple checkpoints.

• Minimize downtime and defects by leading the team in Centerlining and monitoring line performance to spot issues early.

• Make real-time adjustments to prevent defects.

Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance

• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies.

• Maintain allergen segregation and prevent cross-contamination.

• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation.  

• Maintain compliance documentation and complete sanitation steps during changeovers.

Team Collaboration, Leadership & Training

• Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals.

• Provide backup coverage for multiple roles, share knowledge with peers, and support training.

• Perform other duties as assigned.​

Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Accurately complete basic production paperwork and report issues to supervisors.

• Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.

• Record all required documentation for traceability and food safety compliance

• Participate in 5S efforts.

• Assist in reviewing production paperwork.

• Work with supervisors and team to develop solutions to issues.

• Act as 5S champion for area.

Knowledge, Training and Experience:

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.

• Forklift certification preferred (required for Advanced Level); willingness to obtain certification if not already held.

• 18+ years of age.

Technical & Mechanical Skills

• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment, including cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, and palletizers.

• For higher levels, demonstrate expert troubleshooting of high-speed Processing equipment and strong understanding of theory of operation.

• Perform Winland Excellence CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities to improve efficiency.

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and resolve equipment irregularities.

• Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills.

• Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures to resolve issues.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Safety & Compliance

• Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations.

• Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk up to 90% of shift, and climb as needed.

• Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement.

Teamwork, Communication & Leadership

• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

• Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

• Provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members (progressively more responsibility at higher levels).

• Advanced levels lead projects, identify skill gaps, and support multiple initiatives with minimal supervision.

Personal Attributes & Work Ethic

• Positive attitude, dependable, self-motivated, and willing to work overtime or weekends as needed.

• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands: 

• Employees must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Tasks may involve frequent climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping. 

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. frequently. 

• Must have good hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision. 

• Must have normal hearing and vision (with correction if needed), including the ability to distinguish colors for color-coded containers in production areas. 

• Employee must wear all required PPE according to the specific manufacturing environment, as outlined in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as directed by leadership. 

• Must adhere to all safety policies, including lock-out/tag-out, safe lifting techniques, and others as instructed. 

• Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations depending on the area assigned 

• Must maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management. 

EEO Statement:

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.