Machine Operator

Job Title: Production Machine Operator

Shifts Available: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Shift (8 hour Schedules)

Job Description

This role operates and maintains production and distribution equipment in a food-grade manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality output. The position requires working across multiple areas of production, performing equipment changeovers, handling powerful magnets, completing packaging projects, and supporting food safety and quality standards while using computerized tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Operate production, material handling, packaging, and processing equipment for at least half of total working hours.
• Make equipment adjustments as needed to ensure a consistent, high-quality finished product.
• Perform major production line changeovers independently without assistance from maintenance staff.
• Handle powerful rare earth magnets safely as part of the production process.
• Complete special packaging projects according to schedule and specifications.
• Maintain equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Train other team members to perform production and equipment-related tasks effectively and safely.
• Collaborate daily with production planning to determine and follow an efficient production schedule.
• Case and palletize finished product for inventory and distribution.
• Sample product regularly for quality control checks and document results as required.
• Visually inspect materials and supplies for defects and promptly report any defective or questionable conditions to a supervisor.
• Complete all required documentation, including worksheets and entries into computerized tracking systems for each product run.
• Verify that product, materials, and supplies are accurate and meet specifications before and during production.
• Disassemble, clean, and reassemble machinery following established procedures to support sanitation and efficient operation.
• Use and maintain familiarity with assembly, packaging, and measuring tools to support production tasks.
• Work with other departments to resolve production or quality problems as they arise.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to monitor Statistical Process Controls and address other quality-related issues.
• Play a critical role in assuring food safety and product quality by monitoring critical control points.
• Report any non-conformances related to food safety and quality to a supervisor immediately.
• Proactively communicate suggestions for continual improvement in processes, safety, and quality.
• Follow all safety, sanitation, production, quality, and food safety procedures at all times.
• Strive to reduce waste, recycle products whenever possible, and re-use resources when practical.
• Work safely at all times, follow safety rules and policies, and participate in scheduled safety training.
• Report injuries and near misses promptly in the required detailed format and propose corrective actions.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support production and facility operations.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of experience in production, warehouse, or manufacturing environments.
• Experience with general labor and machine operation in a production setting.
• Ability to operate or learn to operate various types of manufacturing machinery.
• Basic computer skills and ability to operate computer systems for tracking and documentation.
• Strong attention to detail in following procedures, monitoring quality, and completing documentation.
• Ability to perform basic math, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to read and comprehend moderately detailed instructions, operating procedures, short correspondence, memos, and safety rules.
• Ability to write simple correspondence and complete written production and quality records.
• Ability to speak effectively in one-on-one and small group situations.
• Ability to train others in general manufacturing tasks and procedures.
• Ability to cooperate and work within a team concept while also working independently when needed.
• Ability to stand on feet for 8 or more hours per day and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to regularly lift and move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and move up to 100 pounds.
• Comfort working in a production environment with moving mechanical parts, high or elevated areas, fumes or airborne particles, and potentially loud noise.
• Commitment to following safety, sanitation, production, quality, and food safety procedures consistently.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience with food production or food-grade manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with sanitation and cleaning procedures in a production facility.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints or similar technical documentation.
• Ability to use assembly, packaging, and measuring tools effectively.
• Comfort working with powerful rare earth magnets as part of the production process.
• Ability to work alone or with one other person for extended periods.
• Strong teamwork skills and willingness to collaborate with production planning, Quality Assurance, and other departments.
• Ability to follow detailed preventative maintenance and equipment cleaning procedures.
• Capacity to work safely in environments that may include fumes, airborne particles, and occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a comprehensive package that includes strong benefits, a flexible spending account, a paid time off program, and paid holidays. The organization fosters a diverse culture where individuals can grow and pursue new opportunities across multiple locations, supporting long-term development and internal mobility.

Work Environment

The role is based in a production environment within a food-grade facility that manufactures food spices. Team members follow strict personal protective equipment and hygiene requirements, including washing hands each time they enter production areas and wearing gowns, hair nets, beard nets, and other PPE as required. The work area frequently includes moving mechanical parts, elevated or high locations, and fumes or airborne particles generated by spices, with occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level may be loud at times. The position involves standing for most of the shift, performing repetitive motions, and regularly lifting and moving materials up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Work is typically performed alone or with one other person, using a variety of machinery, assembly and packaging tools, and computer systems to support production, quality, and documentation tasks.

This is a Contract position based out of Norway, IA.

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $25.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract position based out of Norway, IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Norway,IA.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.