Production Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Production Associate

Job Description

This role is responsible for overseeing all stages in the production of brie, goat, and feta cheeses. The successful candidate will operate and assist with manufacturing, packaging, cleanup, and sanitation using production equipment. Advancement is based on attendance, performance, and coaching evaluations.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic production line operations including cleaning and sanitizing equipment.
• Place empty forms and funnels on conveyors and level cheese in forms after dipping.
• Load, push, and pull cheese stacks using hand carts and trolleys.
• Operate tunnel washers for loading and unloading trays and forms.
• Use touchscreens to change stack and form sizes and swap tooling.
• Hand-turn cheese in curing and drying rooms.
• Move loads using pallet jacks and cheese carts.
• Follow GMP and safety policies.
• Setup, operate, diagnose, lubricate, and fix faults on multiple machines such as SRC/Feta lines, pasteurizers, and bag fillers.
• Level advancement is based on skills and performance evaluations every 6 months.

Essential Skills

• Experience in production, general labor, packaging, and general production.
• Ability to work independently and safely follow procedures.
• Understanding of English language.
• Ability to stand continuously, stoop and bend frequently, squat occasionally, and climb stairs or ladders frequently.
• Capability to reach at chest level, above or below continuously.
• Ability to push and pull 1000 lbs. occasionally with a pallet jack.
• Capacity to lift and carry up to 70 lbs. frequently.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Entry-level acceptable; manufacturing or food production experience is a plus.

Why Work Here?

Employees enjoy a competitive hourly wage with sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits starting from day one, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, short-term disability, a 401(k) with employer match, and paid vacation and holidays. The company also offers a perfect attendance program.

Work Environment

The work environment consists of a manufacturing setting with exposure to hot or cold climates, chemicals, noise, vibration, and wet and humid conditions frequently. Employees work in shifts: 1st shift from 6am to 2:30pm, 2nd shift from 2:30pm to 11pm with a $2 shift differential, and 3rd shift from 9:45pm to 5am with a $3 shift differential. The busy season occurs from September to December.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lena, IL.

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

This is a fully onsite position in Lena,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 29, 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.