General Production Worker

General Production Worker

Job Description

This role supports the end-to-end production of animal feed at a feed mill processing plant in Iowa City. You help transform raw ingredients into finished, pelletized feed by working across multiple production areas, including hand weighing, mixing and pelletizing, and the control room. You will be cross-trained in all core processes and play a key role in ensuring that feed is accurately measured, properly mixed, safely pelletized, bagged, and prepared for shipment according to strict operating and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Work across the hand weighing, mixer/pelletizing, and control room areas to support the full feed production process.
• Accurately measure and hand weigh raw ingredients according to specific feed formulations.
• Operate mixing equipment to combine measured ingredients into consistent feed mixtures.
• Run pelletizing equipment to produce final animal feed pellets according to product specifications.
• Assist with bagging operations to fill, seal, and prepare individual bags of feed for shipment.
• Monitor the efficiency of the production line to support timely loading and shipment of finished products.
• Cross-train in all main production areas and perform tasks as needed to support team coverage and workflow.
• Work in the control room to help run the plant, partnering with a senior team member for training and guidance.
• Use powered lift equipment and other machinery as required, following all safety and operating procedures.
• Perform all processes in strict accordance with Standard Operating Procedures, including mixing, bagging, spray drying, fluid bed drying, and powered lift equipment operation.
• Communicate clearly with team members and leadership to share information, raise issues, and support continuous process improvement.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance and strong performance to support consistent production and team reliability.
• Keep the worksite clean and organized to reduce hazards from chemicals, fragile products, and machinery.
• Follow all safety guidelines throughout the facility, including the use of required personal protective equipment.
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical or operational issues with equipment and escalate concerns when necessary.
• Perform basic math and follow written and verbal instructions to ensure correct formulations and processes.
• Operate computers and control systems in the control room or demonstrate a willingness to learn computer-based operations.
• Collaborate with coworkers in a cross-trained environment, stepping in to help wherever needed on the production floor.

Essential Skills

• At least 6+ months of experience in an agriculture and/or manufacturing setting.
• Ability to use basic hand tools safely and effectively in a production environment.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working around machinery that may require manual adjustments.
• Basic math skills for measuring, weighing, and calculating feed formulations.
• Ability to learn, understand, and follow detailed instructions and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Strong reliability, including consistent, on-time attendance and dependable performance.
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with coworkers and leadership.
• Willingness and ability to cross-train in multiple production areas, including hand weighing, mixing, pelletizing, and control room operations.
• Capacity to work in a non-climate-controlled, physically demanding environment with machinery and manual processes.
• Willingness to learn computer skills and operate control room systems, especially for 2nd shift responsibilities.
• Comfort operating or learning to operate forklifts, powered lift equipment, and other production machinery.
• Troubleshooting ability for basic machine operation and mechanical issues.
• Ability to adhere strictly to safety guidelines and use required personal protective equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in agriculture, farm work, or feed mill operations is preferred and translates well to this role.
• Experience in other feed operation facilities is highly beneficial and supports quick learning.
• Previous forklift experience is a plus but not required.
• Experience in general production, assembly, machine operation, or construction is advantageous.
• Comfort with computer operation and control room systems is preferred, especially for 2nd shift.
• Ability to work any of the available shifts (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in a production environment.
• Strong attention to detail and quality when measuring ingredients, operating equipment, and bagging products.

Why Work Here?

You join a tight-knit, highly collaborative culture where cross-training is standard and team members are willing to help wherever needed. The environment encourages learning across multiple production areas, giving you a broad skill set and exposure to different processes. Regular performance reviews provide opportunities for incentives and recognition, and shift differentials offer added value for working 2nd and 3rd shifts. This role offers stable, hands-on work in a setting where reliability, teamwork, and continuous improvement are genuinely valued.

Work Environment

This position is based in a feed mill processing plant with a non-climate-controlled environment that can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The facility is a working production floor with older machinery that often requires manual adjustments, and the work can be dirty and physically demanding. You will work alongside approximately 15 people on the production floor in a setting with significant equipment and mechanical processes. The dress code includes long pants and a shirt, hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, and ear protection, all in line with safety standards. Shifts are structured as 1st shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 2nd shift from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and 3rd shift from 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., providing multiple scheduling options within a continuous production environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Iowa City, IA.

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $23.00/hr.

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 fully onsite position in Iowa City,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.