Machine Operator

This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/7588509 APPLY HERE{target="_blank" rel="noopener"}\ \ Salary Range: \$20.00 per hour Benefit Eligible: Yes Location: Onsite in Mesa, AZ Classification: Non-exempt, full time Reports to: Production Manager About the Company Paleovalley and Wild Pastures were born from a simple but radical idea: real food can heal people, animals, and the planet. When Paleovalley co-founders Autumn and Chas Smith saw how industrialized food was affecting human health and the health of the land, they refused to play along. Autumns own journey of healing through nutrient-dense foods lit a fire that became Paleovalley. From there, the mission grew roots, sprouted wings, and eventually expanded into Wild Pastures to bring regeneratively raised meats directly to families nationwide. Today, Paleovalley crafts deeply nourishing snacks and supplements made with organic ingredients and honorable sourcing. Wild Pastures connects small American farmers practicing regenerative agriculture with customers who believe better food is worth fighting for. Every product, every partnership, and every decision is guided by a commitment to real ingredients, regenerative practices, and the belief that health is built from the soil up. Were a team of grounded doers, curious thinkers, bold builders, and warm humans who like to laugh while doing meaningful work. We\'re growing quickly, fueled by purpose and a shared desire to repair the food system one thoughtful choice at a time. If you feel energized by impact, drawn to mission, and ready to join a company rewriting the future of food, wed love to meet you! About the Opportunity The Machine Operator plays a critical role in ensuring our production processes run safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with food safety standards. By operating and maintaining key processing equipment such as kettles, dehydrators, and packaging systems, this role directly supports the consistent production of high-quality products our customers trust. Through attention to detail, sanitation excellence, and operational reliability, the Machine Operator helps protect product integrity and keep our production goals on track. What Youll Do - Operate and monitor food-grade processing and packaging equipment including kettles, dehydrators, separators, mills, labelers, and date coders to ensure efficient and consistent production. - Execute machine setups and changeovers accurately and efficiently to support production schedules and minimize downtime. - Perform Clean-in-Place (CIP) and sanitation procedures to maintain food safety standards and ensure equipment is audit-ready at all times. - Maintain proper production flow by monitoring materials, removing finished goods, and adjusting machine settings as needed. - Inspect finished products for correct labels, seals, net weights, and date codes to ensure compliance with specification sheets. - Document batch, LOT, and production data accurately to maintain full traceability and regulatory compliance. - Troubleshoot minor equipment issues and escalate mechanical concerns promptly to reduce downtime and protect product quality. - Collaborate with QA, Production Leads, and Maintenance teams to ensure smooth operations and adherence to GMP, FDA, and USDA standards. - Identify opportunities for process improvement and proactively communicate recommendations that enhance efficiency and quality. - Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment by consistently following PPE requirements and safety protocols. What Youll Need to Succeed - 1+ year of experience in a food, beverage, supplement, or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. - Experience operating production or processing equipment in a regulated manufacturing setting. - Ability to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), SOPs, and food safety regulations (FDA/USDA). - Ability to perform equipment cleaning and sanitation procedures, including adherence to safety protocols. - Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot minor equipment issues. - Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand/walk for the duration of a shift in a manufacturing environment. - Flexibility to work assigned shifts, including evenings or overtime as needed. - Legally authorized to work in the United States Bonus Points Experience operating kettles, dehydrators, milling equipment, or other food-grade processing systems. Familiarity with Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems and advanced sanitation procedures. Experience performing equipment changeovers, labeler/date coder adjustments, and production line setups. Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills. Experience in CPG, nutraceutical, or regulated food manufacturing envir