Job Description

• Operate high pressure snack extruders, adjust die plates, control cutter speeds, and monitor puffing expansion to maintain steady manufacturing flow.
• Deliver end to end processing accountability to uphold food safety, product texture standards, and operational efficiency across the shift.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Operate high pressure snack extrusion lines in strict adherence to validated process parameters and daily production schedules.
• Adjust die plates and regulate cutter speeds to produce snack products according to shape and size specifications.
• Control extruder barrel temperatures and balance ingredient feed rates to preserve stable operating conditions.
• Monitor puffing expansion and inspect product texture continuously to prevent defects and maintain quality limits.
• Maintain accurate, legible, and traceable shift logs, machine setting records, and quality check sheets.
• Enforce occupational safety, hygiene, and lockout or isolation procedures, wearing all required personal protective equipment.
• Detect routine processing variations early, apply authorized adjustments, and escalate major mechanical or quality deviations promptly.
• Coordinate clean handovers with incoming shifts and work alongside maintenance and processing teams to minimize downtime.

Skills

• Extruder barrel temperature control and feed rate balancing
• Die plate setup and cutter speed adjustment
• Puffing expansion assessment and texture quality inspection
• Production interface, HMI screen, and digital logging proficiency
• Mechanical problem identification and routine process troubleshooting

Education Qualifications & Experience

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Food Processing Technology, or related technical disciplines.
• Diploma, National Certificate, or Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Food Technology, or equivalent vocational trades.
• Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) combined with relevant technical, mechanical, or processing trade training.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of practical experience operating food extrusion machinery.