Pellet Press Operator - Qpro Feeds, Bethlehem

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company, providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the farm-foods for consumers. Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years.

Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now also operate in all areas of the food supply chain: processing, logistics, and national and global market channels.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

Our purpose

Touch lives – for the better: We always aim to make a positive impact in people’s lives: our employees, producers, clients, communities and the larger industry. And, through collaboration with this group of people, we strive to make an even bigger and longer lasting impact in the lives of all South Africans.

Values

We live by five important values:

We are HUMBLE

We acknowledge that we are blessed

We are HUNGRY

We do not settle for mediocre

We are BOLD

We do what is right, even if it scares us

We are SMART

We consider our words and actions

We are TEAM PLAYERS

No-one can do this alone

Our legacy

For the Love of the Land: We do it all for our legacy and the love of nature, people, country, sustainability and progress.

More about Qpro Feeds

QPro Feeds is a dynamic Animal Feed Manufacturing business with a facility in both Bethlehem and Vrede. We are responsible for producing animal feed to in-house clients as well as external clients in the monogastric and ruminant fields.

Job Description

The ideal team player will be responsible for all aspects of continuous operation of the pellet mill, including

safety, equipment operation, monitoring, machine set up, cleaning and administrative functions to support

site operations.

Requirements

• Grade 12
• Minimum of 2-3 years in animal feed manufacturing company
• Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to read data and trends to make appropriate process adjustments.
• Proven record in upholding safety standards.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal job instructions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Constantly reviews the operation of pellet mills, and related equipment to monitor

production/quality, anticipating and solving problems in a timely manner and identifying opportunities for improvement

• Follows standard operating instructions/procedures in the performance of all operator areas including start-up, shutdown and normal operations
• Ensure standards of safety and housekeeping are maintained
• Perform basic maintenance to keep equipment in clean, good working order
• Regulate pellet press settings (temperatures, speed and steam pressure) according to product specifications and standards
• Observe and maintain conditioner temperature and settings according to specifications
• Monitor and control Fat coater spraying and mixing of product.
• Daily cleaning of pellet press according to company requirements.
• Maintain sieve condition daily: In good condition for sifting process.
• Be present at all times while pellet press is in operation.
• Cleans pellet press as per cleaning procedure.
• Ensure that planned maintenance is done on the Pellet press by Maintenance department as per daily, weekly and monthly schedule.
• Assist artisan with die & roller changes on pellet mill.
• Assist with breakdowns on pellet mill.
• Grease pellet mill at the beginning of each shift.
• Clean chokes on pellet press, coolers & elevators.
• Clean conditioner and feeders on pellet mill on a weekly basis.
• Make sure that pellet length is correct before continuing with production of each batch/product
• Ensure in-line samples are taken as per SOP.

Skills Required

• Must have a professional attitude and work well with others.
• Promote a safe working environment and follow all workplace and job safety procedures.
• Perform/coordinate good housekeeping in the facility
• Willingness to work flexible hours including unscheduled overtime, weekends and holidays