General Production Worker

General Production WorkerThis role supports a feed mill processing plant by operating and monitoring multiple stages of the production line, including hand weighing, mixing, pelletizing, and bagging animal feed. You will work across key production areas, learn to run the control room under the guidance of experienced team members, and help ensure that products are accurately mixed, safely packaged, and ready for timely shipment. This position requires hands-on work in a fast-paced, industrial environment with a strong focus on safety, teamwork, and cross-training.ResponsibilitiesOperate and support all major production areas, including hand weighing, mixing, pelletizing, control room operations, and bagging of animal feed.Measure and hand weigh raw ingredients accurately before they enter the mixing process.Run mixing equipment to combine feed components according to established formulas and Standard Operating Procedures.Operate pelletizing equipment to produce finished animal feed pellets that meet quality and consistency standards.Operate bagging equipment to fill, seal, and prepare individual bags of feed for shipment.Cross-train and perform duties in all three primary production areas, including the hand weighing area, mixer/pelletizing area, and control room.Assist in running the control room, monitoring production processes and equipment under the guidance of a team member.Monitor the efficiency of the production line to ensure products are loaded and shipped on schedule.Use computer systems and control interfaces to operate and adjust production equipment, especially during second shift control room duties.Perform all processes in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, including mixing, bagging, spray drying, fluid bed drying, and powered lift equipment operation.Operate powered lift equipment and forklifts as needed to move materials and finished products safely around the facility.Troubleshoot basic mechanical issues and assist with manual adjustments on older machinery to maintain smooth operations.Follow instructions and production schedules carefully, using basic math skills to verify measurements, counts, and process parameters.Communicate clearly with team members and leadership to share information, report issues, and suggest improvements to processes.Maintain a clean and organized worksite to reduce hazards from chemicals, dust, and fragile products.Strictly follow all safety guidelines and personal protective equipment requirements throughout the facility.Attend work reliably and on time, contributing to a dependable and supportive production team.Participate in cross-training activities to expand skills and provide support in different areas of the plant as needed.Essential SkillsAt least 6 months of experience in an agriculture and/or manufacturing setting.Hands-on experience using basic hand tools in an industrial or production environment.Mechanical aptitude and a general mechanical experience to assist with equipment operation and basic troubleshooting.Ability to operate or learn to operate production machinery, including mixers, pelletizers, baggers, and related equipment.Ability to perform basic math to measure ingredients, verify counts, and follow production formulas.Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately and consistently.Willingness and ability to cross-train and work in multiple production areas, including the control room.Willingness to learn computer operation for control room duties and production monitoring.Ability to work safely around heavy machinery, powered lift equipment, and feed processing equipment.Capability to work in a non-climate-controlled, dusty, and physically demanding environment across multiple shifts.Reliable attendance and strong teamwork skills, with a focus on supporting coworkers and maintaining production flow.Additional Skills & QualificationsAgriculture or feed mill experience, including work on farms or in other feed operation facilities, is preferred and transfers well to this role.Experience as a farm hand or in agricultural production environments is highly beneficial.Experience with forklift operation is a plus but not required.Experience in general production, assembly, construction, or machine operation is advantageous.Experience with troubleshooting and making manual adjustments on older machinery is helpful.Comfort using computers or control systems to monitor and adjust production processes.Experience with powered lift equipment and material handling equipment is beneficial.Why Work Here?You will join a tight-knit production team where cross-training is encouraged and coworkers actively support one another across different areas of the plant. The organization offers regular performance reviews that create clear opportunities for incentives and recognition based on your contributions. Shift differentials provide added financial value for working second and third shifts, and the culture emphasizes collaboration, learning, and shared responsibility for safety and quality.Work EnvironmentThis position is based in a feed mill processing plant with a hands-on, industrial work environment. The facility is non-climate controlled, so it can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and the work area can be dirty with dust and feed materials present. The plant contains a significant amount of older machinery that requires manual adjustments and close monitoring during operation. Approximately 15 people work on the production floor, creating a small-team atmosphere where collaboration and communication are important. Standard personal protective equipment and dress code include long pants, a shirt, hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, and ear protection. Work is organized across three shifts: first shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., second shift from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (with a particular need for coverage on second shift), and third shift from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Iowa City, IA.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $19.00 - $23.00/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)