Job Description

REPORTS TO: Shift Lead (and/or) Plant Manager

PURPOSE: The Utility Operator is responsible for maintaining plant cleanliness, monitoring equipment and process flow, and assisting with routine maintenance activities to support safe and efficient plant operations. This position plays a key role in ensuring housekeeping standards, operational reliability, and production efficiency throughout the facility.

Plant Cleaning & Housekeeping

• Maintain cleanliness of production, processing, and utility areas throughout the facility.
• Perform routine cleaning of floors, equipment, platforms, conveyors, and work areas.
• Remove waste, spills, and debris in accordance with company safety and environmental standards.
• Assist with sanitation activities as required.
• Ensure housekeeping standards meet regulatory and company requirements.

Equipment Monitoring & Process Support

• Monitor operating equipment and production processes for proper performance.
• Conduct routine inspections of machinery, conveyors, pumps, motors, and other plant equipment.
• Identify and report abnormal operating conditions, leaks, unusual noises, or equipment malfunctions.
• Assist operators in maintaining efficient product flow throughout the plant.
• Record operational observations and communicate issues to management.

Maintenance Assistance

• Assist maintenance personnel with basic repairs and preventive maintenance activities.
• Perform simple mechanical tasks such as replacing belts, hoses, filters, gaskets, and lubricating equipment as needed.
• Assist with equipment teardown, cleaning, and reassembly.
• Use hand and power tools safely and effectively.
• Support maintenance shutdowns and startup activities.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and lockout/tagout requirements.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Report unsafe conditions, accidents, and near-miss incidents immediately.
• Participate in safety meetings and/or training programs.
• Maintain compliance with company quality, environmental, and food/feed safety standards.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and lift throughout the workday.
• Ability to work in hot, cold, wet, dusty, and noisy environments.
• Ability to climb ladders and work around industrial machinery as needed.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as required.

Key Competencies

• Dependability and attendance
• Mechanical aptitude
• Safety awareness
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork and communication
• Attention to detail
• Initiative and willingness to learn

• Ability to troubleshoot malfunction and situations as they arise, notifying appropriate staff of problems beyond scope of normality.
• Ability to cooperate with all staff.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to assist in all work areas.
• Ensure principles of animal food hygiene and animal food safety are followed and maintained.

General manufacturing working conditions exist. Exposures include, but are not limited to chemicals, odor, caustics, temperatures ranging from freezing to extreme heat, high noise levels, dust, moving equipment/machinery and extended work hours. Will be required to stand for an extended period of time on concrete floors. Will be exposed to chemicals used during production and cleanup.

Education:

High School Diploma or GED certificate preferred.

Experience:

Previous work experience in agriculture, production, or manufacturing preferred.

“Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of the job duties and requirements associated with this job but is intended to represent an accurate reflection of the current job.”