About this role
The Production Seasoning Operator is responsible for ensuring the accurate application of seasoning to products throughout the production process. This role is critical in maintaining product quality, flavor consistency, food safety, and customer satisfaction. The Production Seasoning Operator operates, monitors, and adjusts seasoning equipment to ensure products consistently meet established quality specifications and production standards.
The Seasoning Operator is responsible for validating seasoning performance through routine quality measurements, making equipment and process adjustments when results fall outside specifications, maintaining seasoning traceability, monitoring seasoning consumption, and supporting sanitation and changeover activities to ensure safe and efficient production operation
- Safety & Compliance
- Adhere to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), HACCP requirements, and company safety regulations.
- Always follow all food safety and sanitation procedures.
- Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and comply with plant safety requirements.
- Follow color-coding procedures and allergen control programs to prevent cross-contamination.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
2. Seasoning Operations & Equipment Control
- Operate and monitor seasoning application equipment during production.
- Prepare, verify, and apply seasonings according to approved recipes, formulations, and production schedules.
- Perform routine inspections of seasoning equipment to ensure proper operation and performance.
- Utilize operator interface panels to perform seasoning drop tests, adjust seasoning settings, and operate equipment.
- Assemble and disassemble seasoning equipment correctly for production and sanitation activities.
- Identify equipment issues and perform basic troubleshooting when required.
- Report equipment malfunctions or quality concerns to the appropriate personnel.
3.Process Adjustment Responsibilities
- Monitor seasoning performance through routine quality measurements and process verification checks.
- Analyze seasoning application results, seasoning percentages, coverage, and product appearance throughout production.
- Make necessary adjustments to seasoning equipment parameters to maintain products within established quality specifications.
- Adjust seasoning application rates, feeder settings, load cell inputs, and other equipment parameters based on quality results and production requirements.
- Continuously verify the effectiveness of adjustments and ensure product consistency throughout the production run.
- Work closely with Quality Assurance to ensure all products meet flavor, coverage, and appearance specifications.
3. Quality Control
- Verify the correct seasoning and product coverage with Quality Control before adding seasoning to the hopper.
- Conduct seasoning drop tests and other quality validation checks as required.
- Visually inspect products throughout production to ensure proper seasoning distribution and coverage.
- Ensure products remain within all established quality specifications.
- Take corrective actions when seasoning application or product quality falls outside acceptable limits.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Production, and R&D teams to maintain product consistency.
- Perform finished product seasoning checks when required.
4. Seasoning Inventory Control & Traceability
- Maintain accurate records of seasoning usage and production output.
- Record and track seasoning consumption for each production line and seasoning application system.
- Verify lot numbers, ingredient identification, and seasoning usage documentation.
- Ensure complete traceability of all seasoning materials used during production.
- Monitor seasoning inventory levels and communicate shortages or discrepancies to management.
- Ensure all opened seasoning materials are properly closed, tied, labeled, and tagged after use.
- Support inventory accuracy and material accountability initiatives.
5. Scale Maintenance & Calibration
- Clean seasoning scales, load cells, and associated equipment regularly to ensure accurate seasoning flow and application.
- Verify that scales remain free of product buildup, seasoning residue, and obstructions that may impact performance.
- Assist with scale calibration activities as required.
- Calibrate load cells and verify accuracy to maintain proper seasoning application rates.
- Report calibration concerns or equipment inaccuracies immediately.
- Support preventative maintenance activities to maximize equipment reliability.
6. Changeovers, Cleaning & Sanitation
- Coordinate changeovers with machine operators to prevent cross-contamination.
- Handle seasoning line cleanups and product changeovers according to established procedures.
- Empty dispensers and perform equipment wipe-downs at the end of each shift, when applicable.
- Ensure no food-contact equipment or utensils touch the floor at any time.
- Follow all sanitation procedures to maintain food safety compliance.
- Clean and sanitize equipment between product runs as required.
Bagger Area Support
- Support the Bagger Operator in cleaning equipment and components within the bagger area.
- Assist in maintaining bagging equipment in sanitary condition to ensure efficient operation.
- Support activities that help maintain accurate package weights and minimize product giveaway.
- Collaborate with production teams to ensure equipment cleanliness and optimal performance throughout the packaging process.
7. Documentation & Continuous Improvement
- Obtain and review the production schedule before the start of each shift to determine seasoning requirements.
- Maintain accurate production records, quality checks, seasoning usage records, and process adjustments.
- Document equipment issues, corrective actions, and process changes.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, waste reduction, and cost savings.
- Recommend opportunities to improve seasoning application processes and operational performance.
Essential Duties
- Maintain a clean and organized work area.
- Verify seasoning formulas and product requirements before production begins.
- Monitor seasoning coverage and product appearance throughout production.
- Perform seasoning drop tests and equipment adjustments.
- Clean, inspect, and maintain seasoning scales, load cells, and application equipment.
- Record and track seasoning consumption for complete traceability.
- Coordinate and execute changeovers safely and efficiently.
- Support sanitation and cleaning activities in seasoning and bagging areas.
- Ensure products consistently meet Quality Assurance specifications.
- Follow all food safety, GMP, HACCP, allergen, and safety requirements.
Work Conditions
- Work is performed in a food manufacturing environment with exposure to machinery noise, ingredients, seasonings, and finished product residues.
- Food allergens are present in the facility and used during daily operations.
- Long pants, closed-toe shoes, hair nets, beard covers, face masks, and other required PPE must be worn.
- Must be able to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive motions.
- Must be able to work in varying temperature conditions.
- Should not have allergies to milk, soy, wheat, or eggs.
Qualifications
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Technical school training or certification in food manufacturing is preferred.
- Previous experience as a Seasoning Operator or Manufacturing Operator in a food production environment preferred.
- Experience operating seasoning, weighing, or automated production equipment is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies
- Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems.
- Ability to operate, adjust, and troubleshoot seasoning equipment.
- Strong understanding of process controls and seasoning application systems.
- Ability to interpret quality measurements and make process adjustments to maintain specifications.
- Knowledge of load cells, scales, and seasoning dispensing systems.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
- Basic math and measurement skills.
- Good communication and teamwork abilities.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Flexibility to work various shifts, overtime, weekends, and holidays as required.
Barcel USA LLC is an equal opportunity employer with a policy that provides equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, disability, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, reassignment, layoff, discharge, education, training, and all other working conditions.
We believe diversity drives innovation and success. We proudly welcome applications from individuals with disabilities, veterans, and women, and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.