Machine Operator A (1st shift)

Job Description

Job Description

MACHINE OPERATOR

Love Pizza? Love Working with Your Hands? Join Palermo’s!

At Palermo’s, we don’t just make pizza — we craft high-quality products with a passion rooted in family, innovation, and tradition. From our beginnings inspired by Sicilian family recipes to becoming one of the fastest-growing frozen pizza manufacturers in the country, we’re proud to create products people love.

We’re looking for dependable, motivated team members to join our production team as a Mini Pan Line Operator. If you enjoy fast-paced work, operating equipment, troubleshooting problems, and being part of a team that keeps production moving, this could be the role for you!

Who You’ll Work For…

While most companies that sell pizza have no real connection to Italy, Palermo’s passion for food and family reaches all the way back to the country where pizza was born. “Papa Palermo” carried the cherished recipes to America from Sicily!

Innovation is at the heart of who we are. We use an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking approach resulting in high-quality products that are consistently recognized by both the industry and consumers.

Our commitment to quality has made Palermo’s a leader in private label frozen pizza and contract manufacturing.

Perks…

• 20 Free Pizzas Per Month
• Competitive Pay with Opportunities for Overtime
• Career Growth & Advancement Opportunities
• Comprehensive Benefits Starting the 1st of the Month After Hire
• 401(k) & Roth with Company Match
• Paid Time Off & Floating Holiday
• Safety-Focused Work Environment with PPE Provided
• Daily Pay Opportunities

Where You’ll Work…

Located in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River Valley, Villa Palermo is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility connected to our corporate headquarters.

Our operations include high-speed production lines, advanced bakery systems, robotic packaging equipment, and a 24-hour shipping and receiving operation focused on producing best-in-class frozen pizza products.

When You'll Work...

This position works a 12-hour 1st shift schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Team members typically work 3–4 shifts per week, depending on the production schedule, and must be available to work overtime as needed to support business demands.

What You’ll Do…

• Operate and monitor the production line and related equipment
• Verify product setup and line settings after production starts
• Monitor dough flow, product quality, and line performance throughout production
• Make adjustments to maintain consistent product quality and production flow
• Support line startup, shutdown, sanitation, and changeover activities
• Troubleshoot minor equipment and production issues to minimize downtime
• Perform required quality and food safety checks
• Maintain clean, organized, and audit-ready work areas
• Work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Sanitation, and Maintenance teams
• Follow all safety, GMP, food safety, and sanitation procedures

What You Bring…

• Previous manufacturing or food production experience preferred
• Bakery or dough processing experience is helpful but not required
• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment
• Ability to follow SOPs, safety procedures, and work instructions
• Basic math and measurement skills
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• High school diploma or GED preferred

Physical & Work Environment

• Regular standing, walking, bending, twisting, lifting, and reaching
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds
• Exposure to flour dust, noise, moving equipment, and varying production temperatures
• Required to wear PPE including hair/beard nets, smocks, aprons, and slip-resistant shoes

Why You’ll Succeed…

• You work well in a team-focused environment
• You stay calm and productive in fast-paced situations
• You take pride in producing high-quality products
• You’re dependable, safety-minded, and detail-oriented
• You enjoy hands-on work and solving problems as they arise