Production Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Production Associate Job Description

The Production Associate supports day-to-day production activities in a food manufacturing environment while strictly following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP requirements, SQF compliance standards, sanitation procedures, traceability protocols, and quality guidelines. This role performs a variety of tasks including assembling and disassembling production lines, maintaining adequate levels of chocolate in tanks, working collaboratively on production lines, cleaning workstations, monitoring processes, and completing other duties assigned by management to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

• Follow all safety and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) guidelines as outlined in the company’s Food Safety and Quality Programs.
• Load raw materials such as chocolate chips and yogurt into processing tanks according to production requirements.
• Gather and stage all materials needed for production and place finished product into baskets as required.
• Place packaging materials into machines and ensure they are correctly loaded for continuous operation.
• Move and organize yogurt bins to support efficient production flow.
• Operate the designated machine that transfers yogurt into production areas, ensuring proper and safe use.
• Monitor the production process, following established production guidelines, specifications, and standard operating procedures.
• Report any food quality or food safety issues or concerns promptly to management or to the Food Safety Committee.
• Communicate any deviations observed during the process to supervisors or leads, including unusual waste, incorrect packaging, incorrect printing, weights out of specification, or equipment issues.
• Perform basic quality checks and testing, including weight reports, metal detector checks, and monitoring tunnel condensation.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation and ensure the general production area remains sanitary and orderly.
• Report production waste accurately and complete required reports for quality assurance checks and traceability.
• Assemble and disassemble production lines as directed to support changeovers and maintenance.
• Work collaboratively with others on the production line to meet production targets and quality standards.
• Perform general labor tasks as needed to support production, packaging, inspection, and machine operation.

• Experience in production, assembly, machine operation, packaging, inspection, and general labor within a manufacturing or similar environment.
• Ability to perform medium work, including lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally and frequently lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand or walk off and on for approximately 6 hours during an 8-hour workday.
• Capability to push and pull pallets of raw materials safely and efficiently.
• Ability to extend hands and arms in any direction to perform tasks such as loading materials and operating equipment.
• Comfort working with products on the line, including picking up bars and similar items.
• Ability to apply pressure with fingers and palms when handling materials or operating equipment.
• Ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels and receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Strong visual ability to perform inspections for small defects and to distinguish colors accurately.
• Ability to clearly express and exchange ideas through spoken word for effective communication with team members and supervisors.
• Capability to bend at the waist, legs, and spine to reach, lift, or move materials as part of daily tasks.
• Ability to move about on foot throughout the production area to accomplish tasks and respond to operational needs.
• Comfort working around moving mechanical parts such as conveyors, lifts, and proximity to moving vehicles like forklifts, while adhering to safety protocols.
• Ability to work in refrigerated temperatures and occasionally enter a freezer to pick up or store materials.
• Good communication skills, with bilingual abilities considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to learn new tasks and adapt to changing production needs.
• Flexibility with scheduling and the ability to work multiple shifts as required by production demands.
• Strong team player mindset with a focus on collaboration and support for coworkers.

• Experience in a food manufacturing or food production environment is beneficial.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, SQF, and food safety standards is a plus.
• Comfort working with quality assurance processes such as weight checks, metal detection, and traceability reporting.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions and adhere to production specifications.
• Attention to detail when monitoring packaging, printing, product weights, and equipment performance.
• Bilingual communication skills are a plus and can support effective teamwork and coordination.
• Strong work ethic and reliability in meeting attendance and performance expectations.

You will join a dedicated team in a professional food manufacturing environment that values safety, quality, and collaboration. The workplace emphasizes clear processes, ongoing learning, and opportunities to develop new skills across production, quality, and machine operation. Flexible scheduling and support from experienced colleagues help create a culture focused on teamwork, reliability, and continuous improvement, offering a solid foundation for building a long-term career in manufacturing.

This role is based in a food manufacturing facility with active production lines, conveyors, lifts, and occasional proximity to moving vehicles such as forklifts. The work involves standing and walking for most of the shift, frequent lifting and moving of materials, and working around mechanical equipment. The environment includes refrigerated areas and a freezer that must be entered periodically to pick up or store materials. Employees follow strict food safety, sanitation, and quality procedures, including GMP and HACCP standards, and work in a setting that prioritizes cleanliness, organization, and adherence to safety protocols.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Piscataway, NJ.

The pay range for this position is $17.00 - $18.00/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 fully onsite position in Piscataway,NJ.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

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.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.