1st Shift Bottling Associate

The Bottling Associate safely operates and supports bottling and packaging processes for beef tallow, sauces, broths, stocks, and other food products. This position performs filling, packaging, labeling, inspection, and palletizing while maintaining food safety, product quality, and workplace safety standards.

Working under the direction of the Bottling Line Lead and Bottling Supervisor, the Bottling Associate supports daily production goals and maintains a clean, organized work area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safely operate assigned bottling and packaging equipment according to training and work instructions.
• Prepare bottles, cups, flasks, boxes, totes, caps, labels, and other packaging materials for production.
• Monitor product fill levels, package integrity, label placement, date codes, and lot codes.
• Inspect finished products for quality defects and promptly report concerns to the Lead or Supervisor.
• Pack finished products into cases, boxes, or totes according to production specifications.
• Palletize finished products and prepare pallets for warehouse storage or shipment.
• Assist with equipment setup and perform line changeovers under the direction of the Bottling Line Lead.
• Assist with equipment cleaning, sanitation, and minor adjustments within the scope of training and authorization.
• Operate assigned filling machines, cappers, sealers, labelers, conveyors, coding systems, scales, and inspection equipment.
• Use product transfer equipment, pallet wrappers, scanners, and pallet jacks as trained and authorized. Forklift operation is limited to certified operators.
• Accurately complete required production, sanitation, and quality records using designated forms or reporting systems.
• Immediately report equipment malfunctions, product quality concerns, safety hazards, and incidents.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas throughout the shift and follow sanitation procedures.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures, Safe Quality Food (SQF) requirements, and company policies.
• Follow allergen control, food defense, and food fraud prevention procedures.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), follow applicable OSHA safety requirements, and comply with Lockout/Tagout procedures when applicable.
• Maintain dependable attendance and punctuality and work cooperatively with team members and leadership.
• Work overtime, weekends, and flexible schedules as business needs require.
• Assist other production departments and perform additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• Basic reading, writing, and math skills.
• Ability to understand production schedules, work instructions, and labeling requirements.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to safely operate bottling and packaging equipment after training.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify quality defects and report concerns.
• Ability to complete accurate production, sanitation, and quality records.
• Basic mechanical aptitude to support equipment setup and minor adjustments within assigned responsibilities.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to food safety, product quality, and workplace safety.
• Willingness to learn equipment, procedures, and production tasks.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and flexible schedules as business needs require.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous manufacturing, warehouse, food production, or packaging experience.
• Food manufacturing or bottling experience.
• Experience operating automated bottling or packaging equipment.
• Experience in a facility following SQF, HACCP, or GMP requirements.
• Experience performing quality inspections and completing production documentation.
• Forklift certification, if applicable to assigned duties.

Physical Demands

• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Frequently push and pull up to 150 pounds using equipment.
• Stand throughout an 8–10-hour shift.
• Walk frequently throughout the shift.
• Frequently bend, stoop, squat, and kneel as production requires.
• Occasionally reach above shoulder level.
• Perform continuous grasping, handling, and repetitive hand and finger movements.

Work Environment

• Food production environment with exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, and noisy conditions.
• Exposure to food ingredients, allergens, and approved cleaning chemicals.
• Work around bottling, packaging, conveying, and product transfer equipment.
• Required use of company-issued personal protective equipment.