Small Pack Machine Operator

ILLES Foods Job Description

Job Title: Small Pack Machine Operator

Reports To: Dry Production Supervisor

FLSA: Permanent, Full Time, Non-Exempt

Hours: 6 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

About Us:   
Specializing in custom-crafted culinary solutions—from beverage bases and sauces to marinades and seasonings—ILLES Foods has partnered with food service chains, manufacturers, and retailers across the U.S. since 1927. Our Food Innovation expertise, creativity, and speed to market, combined with a laser focus on customer experience, make us a key partner in product development.  As a family-owned, woman-run business, our growth is fueled by deeply held values: operating with integrity, maintaining intentional curiosity, and strong relationship building through the power of partnership. At ILLES Foods, we strive to be the ingredient that elevates food and enriches the lives of our partners, internal and external.

Job Summary: 
The Small Pack Machine Operator is responsible for operating all equipment used in the production of finished goods in accordance with process and quality standards to meet production schedules assigned. They will perform production activities and operate production equipment in accordance with BRC requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), as well as all Illes SOP’s, Quality standards and time sequences. Partner conducts themselves in a manner that is aligned with Illes Foods Core Values: Operate with Integrity, Stay Intentionally Curious, and Believe in the Power of the Partnership.

Primary Purpose: 
Learn packaging operations and safely operate assigned production equipment while supporting production, quality, and food safety requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

- Verify materials, film, labels, and batch documentation before production. 
- Load correct label files and obtain required Quality approval.

- Assist with changeovers using approved procedures.

- Perform basic equipment assembly, disassembly, and setup tasks, when trained and as business needs require, to support production flow and reduce delays related to equipment readiness.

- Operate one assigned small pack machine after training and qualification.

- Monitor HMI screens, machine indicators, and production parameters.

- Inspect seal quality, print quality, package appearance, and product weight.

- Perform seal leak checks and collect QA-required samples.

- Complete RiteTime and ROSS production transactions accurately after training.

- Apply LPN labels and maintain production records.

- Load materials and film into production equipment.

- Stack, palletize, and label finished product.

- Demonstrates flexibility and cross-functional proficiency by supporting production activities across departments, facilities, product lines, and equipment platforms, performing work consistent with their skills, qualifications, and level as business needs require.

- Clean and sanitize equipment following GMP, food safety, and safety requirements.

- Learn basic forklift operation when trained and assigned.

- Maintain clean and organized work areas.

- Follow all food safety, quality, GMP, and company requirements.

- Perform additional duties assigned by management.

- Maintain consistent attendance and workplace professionalism.

This position is part of the Small Pack operator progression path. Partners are expected to build skills through hands-on training, qualification, and demonstrated performance. Advancement is based on safe work practices, equipment knowledge, quality awareness, documentation accuracy, attendance, teamwork, and the ability to operate assigned equipment with increasing independence.

Required Key Skills and Qualifications:

- Time management & reliability: Completes tasks on schedule; maintains regular attendance; prioritizes duties to meet production targets.

- Safety & compliance: Follows GMP, BRC, and company safety protocols; cleans and maintains equipment according to standards.

- Communication: Clearly communicates with team and supervisors; provides updates on equipment or production issues.

- Active listening: Pays attention to instructions; responds to QA and production guidance accurately.

- Inventory management: Loads materials correctly; verifies labels and film; tracks product and container usage.

- Flexibility & Adaptability: Supports changing production needs across departments, facilities, product lines, and equipment platforms within trained skill level.

- Digital literacy: Uses RiteTime, Ross, and HMI systems to document production data and monitor equipment

- Problem-solving (critical thinking): Identifies equipment or production issues; adjusts machine settings to maintain quality and flow.

- Team coordination: Works with others to maintain smooth operations; assists in training and supports team workflow.

- Conflict resolution: Raises and addresses equipment or process issues promptly to minimize disruption.

Experience & Education: 
High School or Equivalent or the ability to obtain within specified time. Minimum 1 year Food Industry Experience plus minimum 6 months Small Packaging Equipment experience required.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

- Lifting: Ability to continuously lift weights ranging from up to 50 lbs. vertically from various heights.

- Carrying: Ability to carry up to 55 lbs. horizontally over distances up to 15 feet.

- Push-Pull: Ability to horizontally transfer force up to 100 lbs. using a sled.

- Climbing: Ascending and descending steps and ladders continuously up to 12 inches and with ladders up to 16 rungs.

- Standing: Ability to stand continuously.

- Temperatures: Varies from 55 to 110 degrees

What We Offer: 
We are a core-value driven, inclusive team that values innovation, growth, and impact. We offer career development, mentorship, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits—including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with immediate match, HSA, EAP, life, disability, and more!

Disclaimer: 
The job description provides a general overview of the work, not a detailed list of all tasks and skills. Reasonable accommodation is available for individuals with disabilities as required by law. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a health or safety risk. Employees must follow job-related instructions and perform additional duties as per federal and state laws. The listed requirements are the minimum needed to perform the job effectively. Employment is "at-will," meaning it can be terminated at any time. ILLES Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (M/F/D/V)