Fry Room Operator

MISSION:

Jackson’s Food Company is the Snack Super™ brand powered by heroic employees and premium avocado oil.  We stand poised to upset the snacking status quo forever. All employees support our mission of delivering a safe and quality product.

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Fry Room Operator at Jackson’s Food Company is responsible for producing high-quality, food-safe potato chips that meet all company specifications and standards. This role operates fry kettles, slicers, and related equipment while following all SQF (Safe Quality Food) guidelines, GMPs, and safety procedures. The Fry Room Operator monitors batches per kettle, maintains proper oil integrity, and ensures run rates align with plant-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This position requires strong attention to detail, accurate documentation, and effective communication with the potato room, packaging room, and Production Lead/Supervisor. The operator also supports training of new team members and contributes to maintaining an audit-ready environment.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the major functions of this position and are not intended to be a detailed description of all the work/functions that may be required. Other duties may be assigned. Individual will work a varied schedule based on production needs.

• Produce high-quality, food-safe products that meet Jackson’s specifications and quality standards.
• Conduct internal quality checks in accordance with SQF guidelines, including slice thickness, chip color, oil quality, and finished product attributes.
• Operate fry kettles, slicers, and related equipment, including setup, startup, shutdown, cleaning, and disassembly.
• Select correct programs and settings on the HMI and verify equipment is running within established parameters.
• Monitor batches per kettle and maintain appropriate production rates based on recommended fried chip pounds per hour, measured through the plant hourly KPI tracker.
• Communicate immediately with the Production Lead or Supervisor when equipment performance, run rates, or quality metrics fall outside acceptable ranges.
• Maintain oil integrity by monitoring oil quality, replenishing oil as needed, and following established filtration and turnover procedures.
• Complete all required documentation accurately, including batch records, quality checks, oil logs, metal detector verifications (if applicable), and sanitation records.
• Assist in minimizing shrinkage and waste to support yield improvement goals.
• Follow all GMPs, food safety policies, allergen controls, and sanitation procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready work area at all times.
• Support training of new operators and team members according to the onboarding plan.
• Collaborate with potato room and packaging room teams to ensure smooth product flow and consistent production.
• Report safety concerns, equipment issues, or process deviations promptly to leadership.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts, including 5S, standard work, and problem-solving activities.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Experience operating machinery in a food manufacturing environment preferred.
• Must be able to read and understand work instructions, safety procedures, and company policies written in English.
• Understanding of basic food safety, GMPs, and quality control practices.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions, maintain documentation, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing safe, high-quality products.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members and leadership.

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• 1 to 3 years of related experience and/or training in food manufacturing or machine operation.
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Manufacturer of premium sweet potato and kettle chips.