Cook Room Operator

Position Title: Smokehouse Cook Operator

Starting Wage Rate: $20.32 per hour.

Six Months Wage Rate: $22.86 per hour.

Full Rate at 12 months: $25.40 per hour.

Shift Premium: $0.60 per hour.

Hours: 9:30pm-6:00am (straight shift), Monday to Friday, and Saturdays based on production requirements.

Employment Type: Full-Time, Production

Position Summary:

Reporting to a Production Supervisor, the Smokehouse Cook Operator is responsible for operating and monitoring smokehouse and cooking equipment in a meat processing facility. This position ensures meat products are cooked, smoked, and processed according to established recipes, production schedules, food-safety requirements, and quality standards. Position works in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate smokehouse ovens, cookers, smokers, and related processing equipment safely and efficiently.
• Load and unload meat products into smokehouse, racks, or other equipment according to production requirements.
• Follow approved cooking and smoking recipes, including temperature, humidity, time, and smoke requirements.
• Monitor product and equipment temperatures throughout the cooking process.
• Make necessary adjustments to cooking programs and equipment settings to achieve required product specifications.
• Verify that products meet required internal temperatures and cooking requirements before release to the next production stage.
• Monitor smokehouse equipment for proper operation and report mechanical problems or abnormalities to maintenance or supervision.
• Maintain accurate production, cooking, temperature, and quality-control records.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), HACCP procedures, sanitation requirements, and all applicable food-safety regulations.
• Perform routine cleaning and sanitation of smokehouse equipment and surrounding work areas as required.
• Inspect products for proper appearance, color, texture, weight, and overall quality.
• Follow company procedures for handling raw and cooked meat to prevent cross-contamination.
• Wear and maintain required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Follow all workplace health and safety procedures, including lockout/tagout requirements where applicable.
• Communicate production issues, equipment concerns, quality problems, and food-safety concerns to the supervisor.
• Assist with other production duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a meat processing, food manufacturing, smokehouse, cooking, or production environment is preferred.
• Experience operating industrial cooking or smoking equipment is an asset.
• Knowledge of food-safety practices, HACCP, GMPs, and sanitation procedures is an asset.
• Ability to read and follow recipes, production instructions, and equipment controls.
• Basic math and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled food-processing environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive physical tasks.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move product and equipment as required.
• Ability to operate motorized equipment (i.e. tow motor).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality and food safety.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a production team.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in a meat processing/manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to heat, steam, smoke, moisture, refrigeration, noise, and food-processing odors may occur.
• Position may require standing and walking for extended periods.
• May require lifting, pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, and handling heavy product or equipment.

Sofina Foods Inc. is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). Applicants are asked to make their needs/requirements, for the purpose of accommodation under AODA, known to Human Resources when they are contacted for an interview.