JOB DESCRIPTION�
POSITION TITLE:� Production Operator�
POSITION STATUS:� Hourly�
LOCATION:� Whitehall,� Ohio�
DEPARTMENT:� Production�
REPORT TO:� Production Supervisor�
EFFECTIVE DATE:� �
About the Company�
Cérélia� operates a� state‑of‑the‑art� commercial bakery and production facility in Whitehall, Ohio, a 150,000‑square‑foot plant that opened in September 2021 and serves as the U.S. manufacturing hub for the� Jus‑Rol� brand. Our Whitehall facility specializes in� ready‑to‑bake� chilled dough products—including pizza dough, pie crusts, puff pastry, and cookie dough—and continues to expand with new product lines to support national growth.�
Team members enjoy modern onsite amenities such as a fitness center and EV charging stations, all within a clean, innovative, and� fast‑growing� environment. While our Whitehall plant is new,� Cérélia’s� roots trace back to 1974, evolving from a� France‑based� bakery into an international leader in dough innovation. As we grow, our people grow with us—if� you’re� passionate about doing meaningful work with a company on the rise,� we’d� love to hear from you.�
Position Profile�
Detail‑oriented� and� safety‑focused� individual responsible for� operating� and monitoring production equipment in a food manufacturing environment. The Production Operator ensures efficient, consistent, and� high‑quality� production by following standard operating procedures,� maintaining� equipment, and adhering to food safety, quality, and sanitation standards. This role plays a critical part in meeting production targets while supporting continuous improvement, workplace safety, and customer specifications.�
Primary Responsibilities�
Inspects equipment prior to start mixing to ensure that is in working condition and free of any foreign material or damages. Document observations on start-up and shutdown checklists on a mobile app or tablet.�
Ensures consistency on all doughs by adjusting processing equipment to meet quality standards and customers’ specification.�
Documents lot numbers, raw dough temperatures, and fat percentages communicating to the production supervisor product or ingredient deviations.�
Performs� on line� bake offs and verify results against quality standards.�
Reports any accidents or maintenance issues to the production supervisor.� �
Follows standard operating procedures to� operate� various pieces of high speed and/or high-tech processing and packaging equipment.�
Diagnoses and troubleshoots problems with machinery or equipment operation and partner with maintenance technician to resolve issues.�
Calibrates processing and packaging systems as required to meet required specifications.�
Maintains clean and organized work area(s) during production.�
Performs change overs and end of run cleans including disassembly and reassembly of necessary equipment as needed.�
Familiar with using an SAP based bar code scanner and system is preferred but not� required; will train.�
Logs downtime and other maintenance issues into CMMS system to track and trend equipment breakdowns and production issues for continuous improvement projects.�
Performs other duties as directed by supervision.�
Quality Assurance�
Follow established programs, policies, and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet SQF, regulatory, company, and customer requirements.�
Perform quality control tests and ensure dough meet quality standards and customers’ specifications.�
Reports to the production supervisor any issues or suggestions to improve quality performance or the working environment.�
Health & Safety�
Follows company safety policies and practices fostering a safe workplace and environment for ourselves and our co-workers.� �
Makes SAFETY a priority, while carrying out his /her daily activities.�
Understands and follows all Lock Out Tag Out Standard Operating Procedures.�
Reports any unsafe acts or conditions to immediate production superior.�
Understands cleaning chemicals and their handling procedures.�
Maintains a safe,� clean� and sanitary working environment always.�
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Minimum� Qualifications�
Education and/ or Experience: �
High School Diploma or Equivalent Preferred�
Strong math and reading skills necessary; must be able to read,� write� and speak English.� �
Must have 1-3 years of prior manufacturing experience; food manufacturing is a plus�
Can� work in a fast-paced environment and must also adapt to frequent changes that may occur on the production line.�
Must be able to follow written instructions in English.�
Ability to� operate� machinery and equipment.�
Basic computer skills and ability to use mobile apps.�
Flexibility to work off-shifts, including days or nights, weekends, or holidays.�
Ability to work in team environment, team player.�
Reliable,� self-motivated� and quick learner.�
Other Skills:�
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision�
Interacts� professionally with honesty, integrity, and respect�
Physical Requirements�
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.� Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.�
This position requires the ability to� stand and walk for extended periods� while performing production or warehouse tasks.� �
The employee must be able to� lift, carry, push, or pull items� weighing up to� 50 pounds� regularly as part of material handling, product movement, or equipment operation.� �
The role requires the ability to� bend, stoop, kneel, reach, grasp, and twist� as needed to perform job duties such as loading products, handling materials, or operating machinery.� �
The employee must be capable of working in� varying temperature environments, including warm production areas, refrigerated rooms, and cold storage spaces.� �
The employee must be able to� visually inspect products, labels, equipment, and documentation, with or without corrective lenses.� �
The employee must be able to� operate� or learn to� operate� production and/or warehouse equipment, which may include pallet jacks, conveyor systems, or other machinery, depending on the role.� �
The position may require� use of personal protective equipment (PPE)� such as gloves, hairnets, hearing protection, safety glasses, and� steel‑toe� shoes when working in production or warehouse areas.� �
The employee must be able to� work in a food manufacturing and distribution environment where pork products, alcohol, gluten, dairy, and common allergens—including tree nuts and peanuts—are present.� �
The role may involve� working overtime, weekends, or varying shifts� based on operational needs.�
Core Competencies�
Creative Thinking:� re-examining traditional strategies and� practices, and� proactively looking for� new ideas� and ways to improve products, services, and work processes. A Person with this competency looks at problems and opportunities from a unique perspective, seeing patterns and themes that are not� immediately� apparent� to others and taking time to refine and shape a new� idea� so it has a higher likelihood of success.�
Information Seeking:� Investigates and researches information, digs to resolve discrepancies; obtains information or opinions internally and externally to gain insight or� expertise� – makes well informed decisions.�
Initiative:� Initiates� courses of action that will lead to improved performance/effectiveness of the Business Unit Team.� � Sees a need and� takes action to address; questions the way things are done and initiates changes where necessary; sticks with an issue until it is resolved� � �
Self-confidence:� Willing to take on a new challenge or assignment displaying confidence and enthusiasm; emphasizes the positive and upside aspects of� difficult situations� – every situation� provides� an opportunity for learning.�
Results Orientated &� Can Do� Attitude:� Strives to beat or meet project deadlines; sets own� high standards� for quality of work; seeks ways to use time and resources more cost effectively; highly organized with the ability to set priorities and multi-task.�
Team Leadership:� Works cooperatively with others promoting team participation� as a means to� generate more ideas, greater consensus & engagement, and a higher level of commitment to delivering results.� � Creates the environment and processes for the team to build its capacity to take on increasing accountability for results over time; building team expertise, skills, knowledge and performance levels; ensures understanding, consensus and input by keeping team members informed about decisions, the rationale behind them, how they align to the overall business objectives and site objectives.�