Equipment Specialist

Primary Purpose: The Equipment Specialist is responsible for ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality packaging operations within a food manufacturing facility. This role operates, monitors, and maintains automated machinery to pack, seal, and label food products safely and efficiently. The role focuses on optimizing packaging processes, maintaining compliance with food safety standards, troubleshooting equipment issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste. Responsibilities: Operate, monitor and adjust packaging equipment (e.g. baggers, sealers, fillers, labelers) to meet production targets. Ensure proper set up and changeovers for different SKUs and packaging formats Monitor product quality, weights, seals and labeling accuracy Inspect finished products for proper sealing, labeling, weight, and packaging integrity to meet company standards. Work with quality technicians to conduct in-process checks (seal integrity, coding accuracy, foreign material prevention) Support internal audits and regulatory inspections Maintain accurate records of production, inventory, and packaging materials used, often using computer systems. Verify packaging materials meet specifications, including film, labels, trays and cartons, and prepare packaging materials Reduce packaging waste, rework and downtime; Assist in root cause analysis for downtime, defects and material waste Perform routine cleaning and minor mechanical issues on machinery, ensuring a clean and safe work area Coordinate with maintenance to troubleshoot automated packaging equipment as needed, recommending changes and preventative maintenance, following LOTO procedures Drive initiatives to improve overall equipment effectiveness Support implementation of standard work and centerlining Participate in continuous improvement activities, such as 5S, Kaizen events and lossy analysis Follow all plant safety procedures and policies Adhere strictly to GMP, HACCP, and OSHA regulations to ensure a safe, sanitary product.