Process Support Technician

Process Support Technician

A part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet® and Science Diet®. Veterinarians worldwide recommend and feed their own pets Hill's products more than any other brand of pet food. Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods. We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life. A career at Hill's Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Join an exciting opportunity to be part of a brand new, highly automated facility for Hill's Pet Nutrition! We invite you to apply for our position at our Tonganoxie, Kansas manufacturing facility.

What We Offer:

• Starting pay rate: $27 - $28/hr.
• Merit increase every year based on performance.
• Advancement opportunities.
• 8 hr shift schedules with overtime available.
• $1 shift differential for off shifts.
• Great culture & work environment at a climate controlled facility.
• Medical, dental & vision coverage for employee & eligible dependents - start on day 1.
• Basic life insurance for you and eligible dependents at no cost.
• 15 days of paid vacation.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Saving & investment plan with company match.
• Tuition assistance - up to $10,000 per year.
• Employee assistance program.
• Access to discounted company products.
• Non-smoking facility.

The Process Support Employee (Operations Technician) is responsible for the effective operation, repair, and changeovers of production equipment. The primary accountabilities of the role include safety compliance, daily production, quality and sanitization procedures, equipment maintenance procedures, data collection, housekeeping, problem solving, and continuous improvement as part of a work team. The Operations Technician works within a structure that requires considerable interaction with others in the same production unit as well as other production units and support functions.

Principal duties and responsibilities:

• Operates, monitors, and performs changeovers of automated and manual equipment throughout the production facility through computer terminals, control panels, tablets, and/or by manual means.
• Unloads ingredients and packaging materials. Interacts with auto-guided vehicles (AGV) and automated robots (AMRs) for putaway and staging of items for end use.
• Monitors quality sampling when taken by a cobot or robot. Where sampling is not automated, take samples manually and documents as required. Reacts appropriately to ensure quality compliance of product.
• Assists maintenance personnel with troubleshooting, completes autonomous maintenance activities, and performs simple repairs on production equipment.
• Performs sanitation activities as per established protocol and conducts/participates in area housekeeping assessments per requirement.
• Works with other employees on continuous improvement projects and process design.
• Understands and complies with Hill's policies, safety standards, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and food safety.
• Identifies, reports, and seeks resolution for issues around food safety, quality, safety, etc.
• Fosters an environment that values teamwork and sharing of ideas, work, etc.

Required education/experience qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Computer skills - ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer/various computer systems.
• Teamwork and strong interpersonal skills.
• Self-directed with a strong results-oriented attitude.

Preferred education/experience qualifications:

• Technical college/vocational school certificate or associates degree in manufacturing-related area.
• Experience troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
• Food safety experience.
• Ability to drive a forklift.
• Experience with SAP.
• Manufacturing and/or military experience.

The company and our Hill's Tonganoxie Plant maintains a smoke-and tobacco-free facility. No smoking or other use of tobacco products (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes or vaping devices, pipes, cigars, snuff, or chewing tobacco) is permitted in any part of the building, facility, or in vehicles owned, leased, or rented by the company.