At Garner Foods, we believe in investing in our team. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth. From competitive pay potential and great work-life balances to excellent health coverage, time off and career development opportunities, we’re committed to helping you thrive both inside and outside of work. Join us and experience a workplace where your success is our priority.
About the Operations Process Specialist position
The Operations Process Specialist ensures the efficient operation of production equipment by focusing on machine operation, troubleshooting, and process optimization. This hands-on role involves operating, diagnosing and resolving mechanical issues, performing equipment setup and adjustments, and maintaining reliability in a fast-paced food production environment. The specialist aims to minimize downtime, enhance efficiency, and drive continuous improvement to support production goals.
Operations Process Specialist responsibilities are:
- Set up, calibrate, adjust, and operate manufacturing equipment per production specifications.
- Perform changeovers efficiently to accommodate different product runs.
- Validate product information, check for defects, and report any issues.
- Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and operational issues to minimize downtime.
- Conduct routine inspections and preventive maintenance to ensure equipment reliability.
- Collaborate with maintenance teams to execute repairs and implement solutions for recurring intermediate level issues.
- Monitor equipment performance and recommend improvements to enhance productivity.
- Analyze production data and suggest process adjustments to reduce waste and improve yield.
- Complete required documentation, including production, quality assurance, and maintenance logs.
- Follow all company and safety protocols to ensure compliance with food industry regulations (e.g., FDA, GMP, SQF, HACCP) and non-food industry regulations.
- Maintain a clean, sanitary, and organized workspace per company policies.
- Package and handle finished and unfinished products according to specifications, including weight, labeling, palletizing, shrink wrapping, and banding.
- Operate forklifts or other necessary equipment for material movement.
- Train and support operators in proper equipment use, troubleshooting, and best practices.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by management.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification or associate degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial technology preferred.
Operations Process Specialist requirements are:
- Five (5) or more years of manufacturing experience, preferably in the food and beverage industry.
- Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, with the ability to read and interpret schematics, blueprints, and technical manuals.
- Experience with automated systems, PLC troubleshooting, and process optimization is a plus.
- Working knowledge of GMP, FDA, SQF, and HACCP regulations preferred.
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and productivity, including adherence to PPE requirements (safety glasses, harnesses, hearing protection, hair/beard nets, gloves, and steel-toe shoes).
- Ability to work in a wet, non-climate-controlled environment.
- Capable of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and climbing for extended periods.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
- Able to read, write, and follow verbal/written procedures, including computer-based instructions.
- Ability to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as needed.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and multitasking skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a respectful and team-oriented approach to workplace relationships.
As part of this role, you are expected to adhere to all food safety and food defense protocols to ensure the integrity and safety of our products. This includes upholding standards to prevent contamination and safeguard against any potential risks to product quality and consumer health.
TW Garner Food Company is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer. To the extent applicable, this contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-300.5(a), and 61-300.10. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified veterans and individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
What We Do
Back in 1929, a 16 year old Thad W. Garner was graduating from Mineral Springs High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
By driving a school bus and delivering newspapers, Thad managed to save the considerable sum of six hundred dollars. The plan was to use the money for college.
But when a couple from Florida decided to sell their "Dixie Pig Barbecue stand", located just down the road, the young boy spied a real opportunity. For half his savings, Thad was to be the proud owner of the business, which could have just become another sandwich shop if it hadn't been for the handwritten, unique barbecue sauce recipe that came with the investment.
A fellow who owned a barbecue stand in Mount Airy asked if he could buy the special sauce to use in his restaurant, Thad agreed to sell him a gallon of the sauce.
Thad's mother, "Mother Jane", as she was affectionally known by the family, began making the barbecue sauce in pots on her cook stove in the family home. His father, Samuel was a natural-born salesman and began traveling to the North Carolina roads distributing the sauce to restaurants and grocery stores.
Samuel, Thad, Ralph, and Harold became known as the "Four Garners". Customers soon began to request a spicier sauce for barbecue and the "Four Garners" developed the most famous brand of Hot Sauce in the Southeast. Rather than alter the original recipe, they developed a new recipe with hot peppers, vinegar, and salt.
The brothers struggled to name this mighty sauce. The three brothers had a consensus agreement on the name "Mexican Joe" and were satisfied until their father insisted it should be an American name..."maybe Texas..." but "Texas what?"...At that moment Samuel's eyes fell upon his son, Harold, who was nicknamed "Pete". And thats how "Texas Pete" became a legend
