POSITION: Smokehouse Operator

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in a meat processing or manufacturing environment, particularly with smokehouse or cooking equipment, is preferred.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and procedures, including HACCP, is highly desirable.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Set up and operate smokehouse equipment according to production schedules and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor temperature, valves, humidity, and smoking density and other details times to ensure safe and optimal smoking conditions for various meat products and adjust based on product.
• Transfer loaded racks of cured products from coolers to smokehouse and load smokehouse ensuring proper spacing and airflow for even smoking.
• Adjust equipment settings based on the type of product being processed to achieve the desired color, flavor, and texture. • Inspect meat products throughout the smoking process for quality, consistency, and adherence to food safety standards.
• Inspect meat products throughout the smoking process for quality, consistency, and adherence to food safety standards.
• Record data such as smoking times, temperatures, and humidity levels for each batch.
• Troubleshoot and make adjustments to the smoking process as needed to ensure quality and prevent spoilage.
• Regularly clean and sanitize smokehouse equipment and work areas to maintain a safe and hygienic environment
• Perform routine maintenance checks on smokehouse machinery and report any mechanical issues or malfunctions to maintenance staff
• Comply with all food safety, health, and safety regulations, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and USDA standards
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift heavy items (up to 50lbs) and work on your feet for extended periods.
• Comfortable working in cold or hot environments, as well as handling meat products.
• Perform repetitive tasks
• Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

PAY RANGE:

BENEFITS:

Excellent benefits including employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance and long term disability insurance for all Hempler’s full time employees, as well as a generous employer contribution for dependent medical insurance.
Voluntary Insurances: Life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
401k with company match
9 Paid holidays, generous paid time off plan

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude any other reasonably related duties as assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Hempler's is an equal opportunity employer (minorities/females/disabled/veterans). We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.