General Production Worker

General Production Worker

This position will be a temporary contract that lasts 3-4 weeks. Shift you will be working on is 2nd shift. General Production Worker operates a variety of specialized production equipment to manufacture powder and paste additives used in animal, human, and agricultural products. This role combines hands-on machine operation, mechanical and electrical aptitude, and careful documentation to ensure products are produced safely, accurately, and in accordance with strict quality and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of proprietary machines to manufacture powder and paste additives for animal, human, and agricultural products.
• Follow production work order specifications and process job orders accurately from start to finish.
• Process work orders by assembling ingredients and fabricating finished products according to established procedures.
• Make routine adjustments to equipment and perform minor repairs as needed to maintain smooth operations.
• Use general mechanical and electrical knowledge to operate, monitor, and maintain production equipment.
• Inspect and measure products using appropriate tools to verify that quality standards and specifications are met.
• Assist in inspecting raw materials and ingredients prior to use to ensure they meet quality requirements.
• Support ingredient, packaging, and finished goods inventory activities, including counting, tracking, and organizing materials.
• Compute required amounts of ingredients and supplies based on production schedules and work order requirements.
• Accurately document time spent, ingredients used, and processes followed for each job order.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and all safety, cleanliness, and quality control procedures on the production line.
• Perform general cleaning and housekeeping tasks in the production area to maintain a safe and orderly work environment.
• Use hand tools, microscopes, tape measures, and other equipment as needed for production, inspection, and packing tasks.
• Load and unload materials, packaging, and finished goods as part of daily production activities.
• Participate in quality assurance and quality control checks to ensure consistent product quality.
• Troubleshoot basic equipment and process issues and escalate complex problems as appropriate.
• Work independently to complete assigned tasks, including repetitive and high-volume packaging and filling work orders.
• Drive between the main site and a nearby warehouse, as needed, to support production and inventory operations.

Essential Skills

• At least 6 months of experience in a food production or manufacturing environment.
• At least 6 months of experience using mechanical and/or electrical aptitude, such as working on vehicles, troubleshooting electronics, or assisting with wiring.
• Valid driver's license and comfort with driving short distances between facilities during the workday.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, work orders, and safety instructions in English.
• Ability to perform basic algebra, including dividing and multiplying whole numbers, fractions, and percentages.
• General labor and assembly experience in a production or warehouse setting.
• Experience with machine operation and machine operating in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to perform inspections and packing tasks with high attention to detail.
• Comfort with repetitive work and monotonous tasks, such as filling large volumes of similar products.
• Basic mechanical aptitude for equipment operation, adjustment, and minor troubleshooting.
• Ability to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and quality assurance procedures.
• Strong focus on quality control and accuracy in measuring and documenting ingredients and processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Forklift and general warehouse experience are beneficial.
• Experience working on a production line in a manufacturing or food-grade facility.
• Familiarity with hand tools and equipment used in production and packaging.
• Ability to use microscopes and tape measures for inspection and measurement tasks.
• Comfort working in a temperature-controlled environment with occasional strong odors from probiotic materials.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for mechanical and operational issues.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining productivity and quality.
• Self-starter mindset, able to take instructions at the start of the day and complete tasks without micromanagement.
• Reliability and consistency in following safety protocols, cleanliness standards, and documentation requirements.
• Willingness to perform cleaning and general operation tasks as part of daily responsibilities.

Why Work Here?

You will join a small, tight-knit team where everyone knows each other and works collaboratively in a supportive, non-corporate environment. The culture emphasizes trust, independence, and self-starting attitudes, allowing you to take ownership of your work without micromanagement. The team celebrates holidays together with potlucks and shows flexibility for employees who need schedule adjustments, promoting a healthy work-life balance. Leadership is hands-on and approachable, creating an atmosphere where contributions are visible and valued.

Work Environment

This role is based in a food-grade, temperature-controlled production facility with a small team of approximately 18 employees, including a finished goods team of about four people. The environment is highly independent and non-corporate, with leadership frequently present on the production floor and actively involved in daily operations. Dress code includes jeans or yoga pants, work-appropriate shirts, and closed-toe shoes. Full PPE must be worn in the facility, including smocks, hair nets, beard nets as needed, and safety glasses when required; frequent hand washing is required when entering and exiting the facility. Because probiotics are used in many finished goods, you may occasionally encounter strong odors when passing by the fermentation room, though you will not work in that room regularly. The role involves repetitive, high-volume tasks, such as filling thousands of identical tubes for a single work order, and may require short daytime drives between the main site and a nearby warehouse located one block away.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $17.00 - $19.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Urbandale, IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.