Production Operator I - Meat Room Operator - 3rd Shift in Decatur, Arkansas at United Petfood Producers USA Inc.

Production Operator I - Meat Room Operator

Location: 2577 AR-59 Decatur, AR 72722

Pay: $19.00 per hour with additional shift differential.

Work Schedule: Monday - Saturday Hours: 2:00 PM - 6:30 AM

Production Operator I – Meat Room

About United Petfood

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us means joining an international, passionate, and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there—we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a place in which you can grow, bloom, and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Check out our website: United Petfood Producers USA, Inc.

Position Summary

The Production Operator – Meat Room is responsible for setting up, operating, monitoring, troubleshooting, cleaning, and maintaining production equipment used in the preparation and processing of ingredients for dry pet food manufacturing at United Petfood's Decatur, Arkansas facility.

This position supports the safe and efficient operation of the Meat Room by following established production schedules, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and food safety requirements. Responsibilities include equipment setup and changeovers, process monitoring, product inspections, routine equipment adjustments, production documentation, and sanitation activities.

The Production Operator works closely with Production leadership, Maintenance, and Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) to maintain consistent processing conditions, meet product specifications, minimize downtime, and ensure materials are handled in accordance with established safety and quality standards.

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, dependability, and the ability to work safely and efficiently in a manufacturing environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Meat Room Production & Equipment Operation

• Set up, start, operate, monitor, and shut down assigned Meat Room processing equipment in accordance with production schedules, SOPs, and GMPs.
• Prepare equipment, materials, and work areas for scheduled production activities.
• Operate assigned processing equipment and associated systems used in the preparation of ingredients for dry pet food manufacturing.
• Review production schedules, work instructions, and applicable product specifications before beginning production.
• Verify equipment readiness and availability of required materials prior to startup.
• Monitor equipment operation and processing conditions throughout the shift.
• Perform authorized equipment adjustments to maintain consistent operation and meet established processing requirements.
• Complete product and equipment changeovers, including loading materials, adjusting settings, and preparing equipment for the next production run.
• Monitor production flow and communicate delays, material shortages, or equipment concerns to Production leadership.
• Coordinate with other production areas to support continuous and efficient manufacturing operations.
• Follow established startup, shutdown, and equipment operating procedures.
• Perform other assigned production tasks to support operational requirements.

Process Monitoring & Product Quality

• Monitor materials and products during processing to ensure compliance with established specifications.
• Perform required in-process checks, inspections, and sampling according to approved procedures.
• Verify product identification and applicable processing requirements before and during production.
• Monitor processing conditions and identify deviations from established operating standards.
• Make authorized adjustments when necessary to maintain product consistency and processing efficiency.
• Identify and report abnormal product appearance, processing conditions, or other quality concerns.
• Complete required quality checks and document results accurately and at established frequencies.
• Follow established procedures for handling, identifying, and reporting potentially nonconforming materials.
• Coordinate with Production leadership and FSQA regarding product deviations, quality concerns, or processing issues.
• Maintain accurate material identification and traceability throughout assigned processing activities.

Equipment Troubleshooting & Basic Maintenance

• Monitor assigned equipment for abnormal operation, wear, damage, or potential mechanical issues.
• Troubleshoot routine equipment and processing problems within the scope of training and authorization.
• Perform authorized minor equipment adjustments, basic repairs, and routine equipment care activities.
• Use approved tools and equipment to complete assigned adjustments and maintenance-related tasks.
• Identify equipment concerns requiring Maintenance support and communicate them promptly.
• Assist Maintenance personnel with equipment inspections, troubleshooting, and repairs as appropriate.
• Support equipment testing and verification following maintenance activities.
• Report recurring equipment issues and opportunities to improve equipment reliability.
• Document equipment problems, adjustments, and maintenance-related observations in designated systems.

Equipment Cleaning, Sanitation & Changeovers

• Clean, disassemble, inspect, and reassemble assigned processing equipment according to established sanitation and operating procedures.
• Perform required equipment and work-area cleaning during production, changeovers, and scheduled sanitation activities.
• Remove residual materials and prepare equipment for subsequent production runs.
• Follow approved cleaning methods and chemical-handling procedures.
• Inspect equipment and surrounding work areas for cleanliness and readiness before restarting production.
• Coordinate with Production leadership and FSQA regarding sanitation concerns or equipment conditions that may affect product quality.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary work areas throughout the shift.
• Complete required cleaning and sanitation documentation accurately.

Production Documentation & Systems

• Complete production records, process monitoring logs, quality checks, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Record equipment settings, processing information, material usage, downtime, and production activity as required.
• Use designated production systems and computer applications to enter or review operating information.
• Follow production work orders, processing instructions, and established documentation procedures.
• Report incomplete or inaccurate production records and assist with corrections as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate information during equipment changeovers, cleaning activities, and production interruptions.
• Communicate relevant production status, equipment conditions, and outstanding issues during shift pass-downs.

Teamwork & Continuous Improvement

• Communicate effectively with Production Supervisors, other operators, Maintenance, and FSQA personnel.
• Participate in production meetings, shift handoffs, and required training activities.
• Assist other production employees with assigned tasks when operational needs require.
• Support efficient production flow and timely completion of assigned work.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, equipment performance, sanitation, product quality, and operational efficiency.
• Participate in troubleshooting discussions and continuous improvement activities.
• Follow established work instructions and maintain a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to read, understand, and follow production schedules, work instructions, SOPs, and product specifications.
• Ability to safely operate assigned manufacturing equipment following required training.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to learn equipment setup, adjustments, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and accurately record production information.
• Strong attention to detail when monitoring equipment, materials, and product quality.
• Ability to complete required production, quality, and sanitation documentation.
• Ability to follow established safety, sanitation, and food safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively with other departments.
• Ability to perform the essential physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work assigned shifts, overtime, and weekends as operational needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in food, pet food, animal feed, or other manufacturing operations.
• Experience operating processing equipment in a production environment.
• Familiarity with equipment setup, changeovers, basic troubleshooting, and sanitation procedures.
• Experience performing product quality checks and maintaining production documentation.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and manufacturing food safety requirements.
• Experience working with production systems, electronic records, or computerized manufacturing equipment.
• Previous experience handling or processing ingredients in a food or pet food manufacturing environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of basic manufacturing processes and equipment operation.
• Ability to learn and follow established Meat Room operating procedures.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to recognize equipment abnormalities.
• Ability to monitor production processes and identify potential quality concerns.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Ability to maintain safe and sanitary working conditions.
• Ability to prioritize assigned tasks and respond to changing production needs.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to workplace safety, food safety, product quality, and continuous improvement.

Workplace Safety

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Participate in mandatory safety training and use required personal protective equipment.
• Follow established machine guarding, equipment isolation, and Lockout/Tagout requirements.
• Perform equipment adjustments, cleaning, and maintenance activities only when properly trained and authorized.
• Follow established safe work practices when handling ingredients, operating equipment, and performing sanitation activities.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas to reduce safety risks.
• Report unsafe equipment conditions, operating practices, and potential hazards.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, near misses, injuries, and other workplace safety concerns.

Quality & Food Safety

• Follow all applicable Good Manufacturing Practices, sanitation procedures, and food safety requirements.
• Maintain proper material identification, handling, and traceability throughout processing activities.
• Follow approved procedures for preventing contamination and cross-contamination.
• Perform required process checks, product inspections, and quality documentation accurately.
• Follow established cleaning and sanitation procedures for assigned equipment and work areas.
• Coordinate with FSQA regarding product deviations, quality concerns, and potentially nonconforming materials.
• Support applicable BRCGS and company food safety management system requirements.
• Participate in mandatory food safety and quality training.
• Report food safety concerns and take appropriate action within assigned authority to protect product integrity.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in an active pet food manufacturing environment.
• Regular exposure to manufacturing noise, dust, odors, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
• Work may involve exposure to wet conditions, processing materials, cleaning activities, and other manufacturing-related conditions.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, and repetitive equipment-related activities.
• Ability to use hand tools and operate assigned production equipment.
• Ability to lift and move materials or equipment components weighing up to 50 pounds as required, with appropriate assistance or mechanical lifting equipment when necessary.
• Ability to access production equipment and work areas using approved safety procedures.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work assigned shifts and overtime based on operational requirements.

Why Join Us?

At United Petfood, we believe in investing in our employees and providing opportunities for growth and development. As our Production Operator – Meat Room, you will play an important role in supporting reliable ingredient processing, maintaining product quality, and ensuring safe and efficient manufacturing operations.

This position offers the opportunity to develop technical production skills, gain experience with manufacturing equipment, and contribute to the production of high-quality pet food within a growing international organization.

We offer competitive pay, benefits, and a supportive work environment where your contributions make a direct impact on our operations.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.