Description

Job Purpose

The Gatekeeper ensures the retort process are followed to properly and safely process food to food safety standards.   

Duties and Responsibilities

• Complete retort record review in compliance with federal regulations
• Conduct heat penetration and temperature distribution testing
• Report any process deviations to proper personnel and document deviation in retort deviation database
• Prepare any necessary equipment and packaging for following day’s testing
• Conduct post process analysis on heat penetration contains, including but not limited to residual airs, drain weights, piece count, and pH.

Requirements

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; AS/BS in engineering, biology, or related field preferred.  
• Previous manufacturing experience required, preferably in food manufacturing
• Strong working knowledge of retorts and retort operations
• Better Process Control School Certification or be capable of becoming certified  through company provided training
• Demonstrate strong math, mechanical, and computer skills
• Detail oriented with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast changing environment
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Must be able to work at the required pace while ensuring 100% accuracy

·     Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with team

• Ability to follow all work instructions and safety procedures

• Strong organizational and time management skills 

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively with a high level of dexterity; reach with hands and arms. Lifting up to 50 pounds, pushing/pulling/moving objects, and using specialized tools, equipment, and machines is required up to 500 pounds..   Must have the ability to grasp with one or both hands and extend arms up to 3 feet at, below, or above shoulder height repeatedly throughout the shift.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.   Must also have the ability to distinguish color codes on packaging materials.   Operating in standard seasonal warehouse and food processing plant temperature conditions will be required.   Retort area is very warm and humid due to the nature of the process.   Work is completed in a facility where nuts, fruits and other allergens are present.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.