Essential Functions and Role:

This is a hands-on Operations role with primary responsibility for equipment ownership of the evisceration line and all associated equipment. This position is designed to establish and sustain autonomous maintenance at the shop floor level by maintaining equipment at its defined base condition, identifying abnormalities early, and working closely with Maintenance to prevent repeat failures and performance drift.

This role exists to close the gap between Operations and Maintenance by ensuring equipment condition is actively owned, monitored, and protected on a daily basis, allowing Maintenance to focus on skilled repairs and improvements rather than reactive response.

Responsibilities include:

• Own the day-to-day condition and performance of the evisceration line and supporting equipment
• Establish and maintain equipment baselines in partnership with Maintenance, including defined normal operating conditions, tolerances, and condition standards
• Perform structured pre-operation, in-process, and post-operation inspections in a consistent and methodical manner
• Verify that equipment is operating at base condition through cleaning, inspection, lubrication verification, and condition checks
• Monitor machine performance and part condition, identifying abnormal conditions related to wear, alignment, vibration, noise, cleanliness, lubrication status, or performance drift
• Make approved operational adjustments within defined specifications to maintain stable performance
• Maintain and use monitoring and inspection points to ensure equipment remains in base condition for optimum performance
• Communicate clear, accurate, and actionable equipment issues to the foreperson, supervisor, and Maintenance
• Support Maintenance during troubleshooting, repairs, rebuilds, and improvement activities
• Work with Maintenance following repairs to re-establish base condition and verify stable operation before returning to full production
• Participate in root cause analysis and ensure follow-up actions are implemented and sustained to prevent recurrence
• Execute TPM-aligned activities such as cleaning, inspection, condition verification, and standard work execution
• Maintain equipment documentation, inspection records, and assigned spare parts inventory
• Operate equipment as needed to support production demands
• Ensure compliance with USDA, MIOSHA, HACCP, GMP, and Company standards
• Operate under all OSHA and MIOSHA safety standards and rules when using equipment or machinery
• Perform other tasks as assigned by management

This position does not perform skilled mechanical or electrical repairs and does not bypass PM or work order systems. The role supports TPM by strengthening autonomous maintenance ownership within Operations.

Qualifications:

• Must demonstrate an inquisitive, problem-solving mindset, consistently seeking to understand why equipment conditions change

• Must hold a high standard for equipment condition, cleanliness, and performance

• Must be detail-oriented and methodical, executing inspections and checks without shortcuts

• Must be able to recognize normal versus abnormal equipment conditions and escalate concerns early

• Must be able to learn other jobs for the purpose of rotation

• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions

• Must be able to follow all rules and procedures established by the HACCP program

• Must be able to understand the English language

• Must be able to work safely at all times

• Must maintain perfect attendance

• Must be able to communicate repair and condition concerns to lead, foreperson, manager, and Maintenance

• Must be able to perform other tasks assigned by lead person, foreperson, or manager

• Must be able to work in a team environment

• Must be able to and must wear required Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to:

Protective eye wear
Hearing protection
Hard hat
Hair net
Beard net (if applicable)
Protective coat (clothing protector)
Forearm protection (if activities require it)
Plastic gloves (if activities require it)
Cotton gloves (if activities require it)
Kevlar glove (if activities require it)
Mesh cutting glove (if activities require it)
Plastic aprons (if activities require it)
Steel-toed, waterproof footwear

Physical Qualifications:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be able to physically perform the essential functions of the role as outlined.
Using fingers, hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders daily to assemble and disassemble machinery
Must be able to pass lockout/tag out training for authorized associates and obtain lockout/tag out equipment
Must be able to step up and down and work from a rolling ladder.
Must be able to bend, reach, and stand for 8 hours or the duration of the shift, sometimes in a wet, cold environment.
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. from the floor or pull up to 50 lbs. using proper lifting techniques.
Must be able to use knives using proper knife safety technique.
Must be able to work in a wet, cold production environment