At Ferrara, we’re shaping the future of the non-chocolate confection industry and delivering lots of goodness in the process. Sound like the kind of career you could sink your teeth into? We’d love to hear from you. 

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Give yourself a competitive advantage by applying to this role through Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills). Skills is a nonprofit organization that partners with organizations across the Chicagoland area to place unemployed and underemployed job seekers with employers that are committed to hiring talent through Skills.

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Hiring Company (Ferrara Candy)

Ferrara Candy Company is a leading American manufacturer of non-chocolate confectionery, including gummies, chews and hard candy, with US $1 billion in annual sales in 2016. Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, the company is privately owned by Catterton Partners. Ferrara's brand portfolio includes more than 15 brands, including Lemonheads, Trolli and the first USDA certified Black Forest Organic. The company also produces private label confections.

Job Description

Machine Operator - Ferrara 110th Street Plant, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts

Ferrara, a related company of Ferrero Group, is an emerging powerhouse in the North American confections and snacking categories.  A $2B organization, Ferrara is No. 1 in seasonal confections and No. 2 in sugar confections, and has entered the world’s largest cookies market through the acquisition of a beloved portfolio of cookie brands, a category growing at more than 4%.

Position Summary:

The Machine Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of their assigned machine while assuring minimal downtime through appropriate care of equipment. Openings are across all shifts (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) at our 110th Street Cone Plant.

Ways You Will Make a Difference:

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, the Machine Operator is responsible for:

• • Operating equipment according to prescribed procedures appropriate for the specific equipment line and department
  • Completes required daily quality checks on product
  • Responsible for completing product changeovers in safe, efficient, and accurate manner.
  • Monitoring the quality of product, equipment, and all GMP’s that complies with the 31st Street Plant standards
  • Set up, troubleshoot, and perform changeovers on equipment as needed
  • Document equipment start-up/change-over checklists and procedures; identify improvements to change-over process more efficient
  • Identify sources of low efficiency/downtime and work with Supervisor to eliminate
  • Learn new equipment procedures and train and mentor fellow employees
  • Identify and escalate issues that may arise in a timely manner, escalate food safety incidents, and stopping the line if appropriate

Experiences That Will Support Your Success

Physical Activity required of the position:

• • Climbing: ascending and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps,   poles, etc., using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.
  • Balancing : maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces.
  • Fingering : picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
  • Stooping : bending body downward and forward, bending spine at waist
  • Kneeling :  bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee or knees
  • Crouching : bending body downward and forward by bending leg and spine
  • Reaching : extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
  • Standing : particularly for sustained periods of time
  • Walking : moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances
  • Pushing :  using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust, downward or outward.
  • Pulling : using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  • Lifting : raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. (Min 2 / Max 50 lbs.)
  • Talking : expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
  • Hearing :  perceiving the nature of sounds with or without correction.
  • Repetitive motions :  frequent movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  • Grasping :  applying pressure to an object with fingers and palm
  • Platforms :  be able to work on platforms
  • Carrying : to move while supporting various items (ex: packages)
  • Occasionally exerting up to 50 pound of force

Working conditions:

• • Worker subject to inside environmental conditions: (dust, odors) protection from weather conditions; not necessarily from temperature changes
  • Worker subject to fluctuation of temperatures for periods of more than one hour
  • Worker subject to noise: there is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level
  • Worker subject to hazards: includes a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, or exposure to chemicals  
  • Production is Monday through Friday with some Saturday work required. Overtime available.

Skills That Will Make You Successful?

• • High School diploma or equivalent
  • Minimum 6 months of experience in similar setting
  • Ability to comprehend and communicate in English
  • Basic math skills and ability to use a calculator
  • General Knowledge of computers
  • Excellent attendance record

Ferrara Candy Company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

The stated duties are intended to outline those functions typically performed by incumbents in this position. This description of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive or to limit management discretion to assign other duties or responsibilities as necessary.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.