Lassonde Pappas & Co., formerly Old Orchard Brands, is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we’ve been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you’re passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee’s total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Blender reports to the Quality Assurance Supervisor or Manager and is based out of our Sparta, Michigan location. This individual will be responsible for ensuring the proper blend of concentrates are used according to customer specifications. This position is responsible for food safety and food quality, including CQP and CCP monitoring.

Primary Responsibilities include:

Read and follow blending guidelines as set forth on a formula sheet to adhere to company and customer specifications
Match color and flavor and other quality attributes of juice to control standard, weigh and pump ingredients for batch, open drums, and containers for blending in batch
Perform quality checks before releasing batches for production such as brix, acid, pH, sensory and color, and adjust batches to meet specifications
Responsible for resolving all errors related to batches
Perform sanitation of tanks and rooms, move empty drums/totes/bins for disposal or storage
Accountable for food safety, food quality, and regulatory requirements for their position
Encouraged to notify management about actual or potential food safety issues
Adopt and maintain all SQF requirements for their position
Empowerment to work with supervision to resolve food safety and food quality issues within their scope of work
This role will be required to taste test products as needed, up to a couple of ounces per test.
Performs other related duties as required and assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Qualifications

Six months of manufacturing experience
Must be proficient in mathematics

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the food/beverage industry
A high school diploma or equivalent
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Detailed oriented and have the ability to multi-task
Excellent time management skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to work in a team setting

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a production setting.

FREQUENT: Ability to talk and hear; ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, stoop, bend and/or crouch; push/pull; lift up to 50 pounds; use of hands and fingers to operate machinery/equipment and all manual and electronic equipment in area of responsibility. Exposure to wet and humid conditions and fluctuations in ambient temperature (seasonal).

OCCASIONAL: Squatting, kneeling, ability to reach above and at shoulder height. Ability to wear dust mask, and perform Confined Entry using LOTO program. Exposure to toxic and corrosive chemicals.

VISION: Ability to use close and distance vision, as well as color and peripheral vision with or without correction. Must be able to visually detect obstacles and potential dangers in a fast-paced production environment involving high speed equipment and powered industrial lift equipment.

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Exposure to noise levels from pumps, machinery, forklift traffic, bottle lines and exhaust fans.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.