Machine Operator

Job Description:

Schedule: 4 days 10-hour shifts

Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday 5:00-3:30

Benefits: Full benefits package starting day 1 of employment 

• Medical, Dental & Vison
• Health Saving Acct with starter funds
• Up to 4% match on 401k
• Short term disability, long term disability, life insurance and AD&D
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Paid holiday, sick and vacation days
• Employee assistance program offers counseling services
• Tuition reimbursement

BrightFarms is The Place to Grow!

At BrightFarms, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the way leafy greens are grown. But we don’t just want to grow great-tasting greens, we want them to do good as well: for the planet, for the health of people, and for the well-being of our employees. We give BrightFarmers the tools, training, support, and opportunities they need to do better for themselves and the world every day. Because when you do good for your people, they do good for the world. 

BrightFarms is a national leader in the booming indoor farming industry, transforming how produce is grown and delivered with its expanding network of high-tech, sustainable hydroponic farms.  We currently operate six high-tech greenhouse farms, with four new regional salad greenhouse hubs breaking ground to begin opening in 2024.  BrightFarms' fresh lettuce options, from classic greens to crunchy mixes and salad kits, are available in more than 3,700 retail stores across the East Coast and Midwest.

At our greenhouse in Loudon, we grow more than 650,000 pounds of leafy greens per year for New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and New York. We are currently in need of a Machine Operator (Seeder) to support our team.

Description:
At BrightFarms, we exist for two reasons - People and our Planet. We use state of the art indoor farming techniques to produce pesticide free product that are insanely fresh and delicious. We are dedicated to our mission of reducing the environmental impact of food and we serve the local communities where we grow so our supply chain is simple and easy to trace.

The Machine Operator position will run and troubleshoot the seeding and harvest machinery in our baby greens greenhouse. This machinery drives the entire operation! Ideal candidates are excited about new hydroponic growing technology, are mechanically inclined, and have a strong attention to detail. Must be a self-motivated team player with a positive, solid work ethic with strong communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with all three teams to ensure proper operation of seeding equipment, greenhouse automation, and packing equipment.
• Learn how to program and fine tune automation for optimal production
• Troubleshooting machinery as necessary
• Help record and reconcile inventory
• Aid in data analysis as needed – where are we doing well and what can we improve on?
• Follow our strict food safety program – we work with fresh, clean produce and believe everyone should participate in sanitation!
• Train under supervisor to learn seeding planning, forecasting, and order fulfillment based on sales demand
• Other duties as assigned

Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Must be capable of learning how to program and troubleshoot automated machinery
• Greenhouse, hydroponics, or commercial agriculture experience preferred but not required
• Love to solve puzzles, read and follow directions
• Maintain a strong attention to detail. Growing is a compilation of many small repetitive tasks that surmount to a masterpiece at the end of a plant’s life!
• Adaptable and Team Oriented– we are a fast-growing company that’s constantly changing. We need team members who are nimble and willing to roll up their sleeves for any task to support one another
• Ability to be forklift certified (we will supply training specific to site)
• Eagerness to learn
• Valid driver’s license

Working conditions

Climate: You will be working in the Greenhouse (75F-85F), and Headhouse (60F-90F) environments for part or all your shift and will dress accordingly.

Employees will have some exposure to seasonal conditions which may range from extreme heat and humidity in the summer to cold in the winter. Often working near moving mechanical parts. There will be exposure to cleaning chemicals. The noise level of machines and cooling units can be loud. May occasionally get wet. Steps and floors may be slippery.

Physical requirements

• Must be ok with heights – some of our tasks include working with tall machinery
• Heavy standing, crouching, and kneeling work
• Manual dexterity
• Clear correctable vision and uncompromised peripheral vision to notice safety hazards

BrightFarms is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the unique experience and backgrounds our Associates bring!