Production Assistant

Based in West Bridgewater, MA

Job Description

The successful applicant will become a part of our production team, which seeks to be a highly effective and flexible team working with the finest coffees in the world. The individual will be expected to learn and perform many of the tasks and activities associated with operating a coffee roasting facility. This position would be for our 2nd shift at our West Bridgewater, MA headquarters. 

  • Employment Status: Full-time, Worker Owner track employee

  • Hours: 10:00am-6:30pm

  • Starting Salary: $21.63/hr-$22.63/hr, non exempt employee

  • Benefits: Health/dental/vision insurance coverage, vacations, holidays, sick days, clothing and footwear allowance, eligibility for worker ownership

  • Department: Production

  • Report to: Production Manager

Qualifications

  • Must love coffee 

  • Must work well in a team environment 

  • Passionate about the mission of Equal Exchange 

  • Experience with or interest in working for a cooperative organization preferred 

  • Must be able to read, speak, and comprehend English 

  • Machine maintenance experience highly desirable 

  • Experience in food production environment a plus 

  • Mechanical/Electrical reasoning skills highly desirable 

  • Basic math and conversion skills 

  • Ability to use basic quality measuring instruments 

  • Ability to solve problems 

  • Attention to detail 

  • Fanatic about producing a quality product 

  • Ability to create and adapt systems 

  • Computer literate 

  • Ability to lift 75lbs 

  • Push/pull 1400lbs using supplied equipment 

  • Frequent bending, twisting required 

  • Applicant must be able to stand for the entire shift

Duties and Responsibilities

Production (approx. 90%)

Packaging Machine Operation:

  • Operating and monitoring packaging equipment such as fillers, labelers and blending equipment

  • Packing cases on packaging line 

  • Palletizing cases 

  • Coordinate with roasting team to pack out roasted product

  • Periodic machine cleaning 

  • Preventative maintenance of facilities equipment 

  • Other tasks and projects as assigned by supervisor

Quality Assurance:

  • Conformance to production and administrative procedures 

  • Performing QC protocols as required by QC manager 

  • Continual learning for quality and process improvement

Materials Handling:

  • Assist in staging and loading of materials 

Personnel & Worker Ownership/Fair Trade Development (approx. 10%)

  • Participate in staff, team, department, and educational (Exchange Time) meetings

  • Understand our producer partners, trading policies, and the Fair Trade movement 

  • Understand and participate in our worker cooperative model. 

90 Day Goals

  • Ability to operate one packaging line 

  • Demonstrate understanding of GMP’s and sanitation protocols 

  • Obtain material handling equipment certification 

To Apply

Please provide your resume and answers to the following questions by email to eehire@equalexchange.coop:

  1. Give an example of a project that you had to complete from start to finish.

  2. Describe a situation when you went “above and beyond” at work: What did you do? Why?

  3. How would your former coworkers describe you? 

  4. How does this position in production help Equal Exchange fulfill its commitment to small farmers?