Bagging Line Operator

Position Summary

Living Earth, the largest recycler of tree limbs, brush, leaves, and grass clippings in Texas and Tennessee, is seeking a Bagging Line Operator to support safe and efficient mulch production operations. This position is responsible for safely setting up, starting, operating, monitoring, and maintaining bagging equipment to maximize production, maintain product quality, reduce downtime, and support a clean and safe work environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Successfully operate mulch line bagging equipment in compliance with all Company safety standards, regulations, and operating procedures.
• Safely set up, start, monitor, adjust, and shut down bagging line equipment to support efficient production and minimize equipment downtime.
• Perform required equipment cleaning, housekeeping, and general work area maintenance to ensure a clean, organized, and safe production environment.
• Conduct validation testing and routine checks to ensure finished products comply with Company packaging standards, product specifications, and quality control guidelines.
• Maintain a working knowledge of PLCs and VFDs used to operate bagging equipment and support proper equipment performance.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and assist with repairs related to equipment stoppages, breakdowns, and downtime root causes.
• Accurately complete, enter, and maintain production paperwork and KPI metrics, including daily and hourly production rates, downtime root causes, and associated downtime minutes.
• Communicate equipment issues, quality concerns, safety hazards, and production updates to management in a timely and professional manner.
• Follow lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment, and other applicable safety procedures when operating or assisting with equipment maintenance.

Other Duties as Assigned: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Two (2) to three (3) years of proven experience in an industrial operations, manufacturing, production, or similar environment preferred.
• Experience operating automatic bagging equipment preferred.
• Prior experience working around production equipment, conveyors, packaging lines, or similar industrial machinery preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong problem-solving skills and technical/mechanical aptitude, including the ability to troubleshoot general mechanical and electrical issues.
• Working knowledge of PLCs and VFDs used to operate bagging equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions, safety procedures, production standards, and quality control requirements.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate production records and KPI documentation.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate reliability, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
• Ability to communicate equipment, safety, production, and quality concerns clearly and timely to management.

Licenses / Certifications

• No specific license or certification is required unless assigned by location or business need.
• Forklift, equipment, or other safety certifications are preferred, if applicable to the assigned location.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, climb, and move around production equipment for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 pounds as required.
• Ability to work safely around moving equipment, conveyors, industrial machinery, and production materials.
• Ability to use required personal protective equipment and follow all Company safety requirements.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an industrial production, bagging line, and/or yard environment.
• Position may involve exposure to dust, noise, vibration, outdoor weather conditions, moving equipment, and varying temperatures.
• Employee must remain alert and follow all safety protocols while working near production machinery and mobile equipment.