Machine Operator

At PBI-Gordon Companies, and our subsidiaries PBI-Gordon Corporation, Pegasus Laboratories, and PetAg, Inc, our priority is people, pets, and the places they go.  As employee owners, we support each other in building our careers as well as our companies.  Our foundation is rooted in integrity, innovation, partnership, and pride. Come grow with us!

Summary: 

The Machine Operator is responsible for operating, monitoring, adjusting, troubleshooting, and maintaining packaging equipment used in the manufacture and packaging of dry powder products. The role supports safe, efficient, and compliant production operations by ensuring products are packaged according to approved specifications, batch records, work orders, and customer requirements.  

The Machine Operator is responsible for supporting equipment setup, changeovers, line clearances, in-process quality checks, documentation accuracy, and verification of packaging materials, labels, lot numbers, and expiration dates. The position plays a critical role in maintaining compliance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), food safety programs, allergen-control procedures, HACCP requirements, USDA/FDA regulations, sanitation standards, and traceability requirements while ensuring product quality and preventing contamination or allergen cross-contact. 

 Responsibilities: 

• Operate, monitor, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain packaging equipment including fillers, hoppers, seamers, labelers, over-cap machines, and box erectors to ensure safe and efficient production operations.  

• Perform equipment setup, line clearance, product changeovers, and start-up verification activities to ensure equipment is properly configured and ready for production.  

• Package milk powder and other dry powder products in accordance with approved batch records, work orders, packaging specifications, customer requirements, and production schedules while complying with FDA, USDA, HACCP, food safety, and cGMP requirements.  

• Verify product weights, lot numbers, expiration dates, labels, packaging materials, package counts, and coding information to ensure product identity, traceability, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.  

• Follow established allergen-control procedures, including proper material identification, segregation, equipment cleaning, line clearance, and changeover requirements to prevent allergen cross-contact and protect product integrity.  

• Maintain complete and accurate production, packaging, quality, downtime, inventory, and traceability documentation and ensure records are completed in real time and according to company requirements.  

• Immediately report and escalate food safety, allergen, quality, equipment, material, safety, or process deviations to supervision and Quality personnel.  

• Safely operate packaging equipment, forklifts, pallet jacks, skyjacks, scanners, and other authorized production equipment while following all required safety procedures and PPE requirements.  

• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary work areas, demonstrate dependable attendance, support overtime requirements when necessary, and perform other duties as assigned.  

• Perform additional duties assigned to support business objectives. 

Safety Responsibilities: 

• Follow all company safety policies and procedures. 

• Participate in required safety training. 

• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, and incidents promptly.  

 Qualifications: 

Education: 

• High school diploma or equivalent required.  

 Experience: 

• 1-2 years of manufacturing experience preferred, preferably in an FDA or USDA regulated environment.  

• Forklift and skyjack operation experience preferred.  

• Food, dietary supplement, nutraceutical, pet nutrition, or other regulated manufacturing experience preferred.  

• Working knowledge of food safety, cGMPs, sanitation, allergen controls, and manufacturing documentation preferred.  

 Skills & Abilities: 

• Ability to read and follow formulas, batch records, SOPs, Work Instructions, and production schedules.   

• Basic mathematical skills required, including weights, measurements, quantities, and inventory verification.   

• Ability to read, write, and understand English and effectively communicate with supervisors and coworkers.   

• Ability to safely operate required production and material-handling equipment after completion of company-required training.   

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.  

• Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb, reach, crouch, and perform other movements necessary to support production operations.   

• Frequently uses hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders to operate equipment, tools, controls, and production materials throughout the shift.   

• Must be able to regularly lift, carry, and/or move materials weighing up to 60 pounds, using appropriate lifting techniques or material-handling assistance when required.   

• Frequently pushes, pulls, carries, positions, or moves raw materials, finished products, packaging materials, pallets, and equipment.   

• Ability to safely use ladders, step stools, stairs, and elevated work platforms as required.   

• Requires repetitive hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder movements throughout the shift.   

• Requires sufficient visual attention to inspect products, packaging, labels, lot codes, equipment operation, and production documentation.   

• Ability to hear and respond to equipment alarms, warning devices, and verbal instructions in a manufacturing environment.   

• Ability to work overtime, extended shifts, and weekends based on production and business needs.  

• Work is performed primarily in a manufacturing and warehouse environment.   

• Regular exposure to operating production equipment, moving mechanical components, material-handling equipment, and powered industrial vehicles.   

• Exposure to dust, vibration, and moderate to high noise levels.   

• Required to wear designated PPE, which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hair and beard restraints, safety footwear, and other required protective equipment.   

• Must comply with applicable safety, quality, sanitation, food safety, allergen-control, and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.   

The pay range for this role considers a wide range of factors including but not limited to: skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographical location, and other organizational needs.

The estimated pay range for this role is $17.82/hr. Min to $26.73/hr. Max per year.

Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in a bonus program associated with this specific role.

PBI-Gordon Companies and its subsidiaries are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week or more. Full-time employees will become eligible to participate in benefits on the first of the month following their start date, unless stated otherwise below. (Note: Interns do not qualify for eligibility.)

Medical Insurance

We are committed to helping you and your dependents maintain health and wellness by offering voluntary, competitive medical insurance and prescription drug plan options.

Dental Insurance

Choose from two voluntary dental plans that are designed to help protect you and your dependents’ oral health. 

Vision Insurance

Our voluntary vision insurance plan is designed to help protect you and your dependents eye health. Coverage is available for eye exams, frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Employee owners are responsible for 100% of the cost of this plan.

Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

We offer a company-paid $50,000 life insurance policy with AD&D. You also have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for yourself, your spouse and/or your dependent children. The cost for this coverage is based on the amount you elect and your age.

Short- and Long-term Disability

Our company-paid short-term and long-term disability plans to provide income replacement in the event you are not able to work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability will provide 70% income replacement up to $1,350 per week and long-term disability will provide 60% income replacement up to $5,000 per month.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP Services are company paid to benefit all employee-owners and their families. EAP provides up to six free counseling sessions to help you and your family members manage life stressors, solve personal or relationship concerns, and achieve your goals.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Flexible Spending Plans offer employee-owners the option to set aside pre-tax monies into a medical reimbursement or dependent care account to help pay for out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses or day care costs. The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS and adjusted annually. This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, meaning any funds remaining in the account following the close of the plan year will be forfeited.

Pet Insurance

We love our pets! Pet insurance options for your furry friends is offered through the ASPCA. Employee-owners can enroll and pay premiums directly to ASPCA.

Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)

Everyone needs time off to rest and recharge! Paid time off includes Regular PTO, Personal PTO, and specified paid company holidays. *The amount of paid time off (PTO) depends upon the employee's position and years of service.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

We act like we own the company because we do! An ESOP provides employees with an ownership stake in the company. It’s an additional form of compensation directly tied to PBI-Gordon Companies financial success. All regular employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP the first of the month following 30 days of service. PBI-Gordon Companies contributes approximately 18% of total compensation annually with a six-year vesting schedule. Our ESOP is more than a benefit, it is a key part of a culture, and it can provide significant rewards in retirement!

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. We offer a 401(k)-retirement savings plan to assist employees with this important financial goal. New employee owners are eligible to participate the first of the month following 30 days of employment. We provide a company match of 100% up to 3% deferral with a three-year vesting schedule.

Fitness Reimbursement

We believe regular exercise helps improve overall health and job performance. PBI-Gordon will reimburse up to a maximum of $300 annually for gym/fitness memberships.

William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman Scholarship Fund

Children or grandchildren of employee-owners may apply for a scholarship under the William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman scholarship fund. Applicants are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular/community activities.  

Tuition Reimbursement

After one full year of employment, employee-owners are eligible for tuition reimbursement for bachelor’s level coursework related to their current job or any future job offered at PBI-Gordon Companies.

Parental Leave

Company paid parental leave is offered to employee-owners following the birth of a child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or surrogacy. This policy will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable.

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Please see our CCPA disclosure for more information.

Employment is contingent upon and may not begin until the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen. PBI-Gordon and its subsidiaries participate in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit the E-Verify Website.