Production Machine Operator

Production Machine Operator

Job Description

This role operates and monitors bakery production and packaging equipment in a fast-paced food manufacturing facility that produces baked goods such as donuts, pastries, and muffins. The Machine Operator ensures that all products meet established specifications for weight, packaging, labeling, and quality while strictly following safety, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and food safety standards. Working closely with production team members and the Operations Supervisor, this position supports efficient line performance, maintains a clean and organized work area, and helps identify and resolve issues that may impact product quality or throughput.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and adjust bakery production and packaging equipment to maintain consistent product flow and quality.

• Set up machines according to product specifications, including weights, speeds, settings, labels, ingredients, and packaging requirements.

• Follow all safety, GMP, food safety, and quality policies and procedures at all times.

• Ensure product specifications are met, including accurate weights, correct labeling, and proper packaging presentation.

• Perform routine quality checks on finished products and document findings in production logs and batch documentation as required.

• Troubleshoot minor machine issues, make basic mechanical adjustments, and escalate major concerns to maintenance or supervision.

• Support machine changeovers, calibration, and basic preventative maintenance procedures to minimize downtime.

• Operate and assist with conveyor systems, mixers, fillers, ovens, and packaging equipment as assigned.

• Assist with material handling, including staging ingredients, batching, filling, and moving products to and from the production line.

• Maintain clean and organized work areas during and after production runs, following sanitation and housekeeping standards.

• Adhere to FIFO (First In, First Out) practices and other inventory handling procedures to ensure product freshness and traceability.

• Accurately complete production logs, batch records, and other required documentation to support quality assurance and food safety programs.

• Communicate effectively with supervisors, maintenance, and team members to resolve production challenges and coordinate workflow.

• Participate in cross-training to learn multiple machines and processes and provide support across different production lines as needed.

• Perform routine safety checks on equipment and work areas and actively promote a safe work environment.

• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and production orders to ensure consistent, high-quality output.

• Work independently and as part of a team to meet daily production goals and maintain a strong focus on quality and efficiency.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Minimum of 6 months to 1 year of production or manufacturing experience preferred, ideally in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience operating machinery in a production setting, including starting, stopping, and adjusting equipment.

• Basic mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability to address minor equipment issues.

• Ability to read and follow SOPs, production orders, specifications, and written instructions.

• Familiarity with GMP, food safety, sanitation practices, or HACCP principles (preferred).

• Strong attention to detail and a consistent quality focus when monitoring products and processes.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a production team.

• Comfort performing repetitive tasks such as bending, stooping, reaching, and lifting throughout the shift.

• Ability to stand for 8-12 hours per shift and lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds consistently.

• Comfort working in hot, loud, and varying temperature conditions common to bakery production environments.

• Willingness and ability to follow strict safety, GMP, and PPE requirements at all times.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in food manufacturing, bakery, beverage production, or similar regulated production environments.

• Experience working with batching, blending processes, or handling chemicals in a production setting.

• Hands-on experience with mixers, ovens, fillers, conveyor systems, and packaging equipment.

• Familiarity with food safety standards such as GMP, HACCP, and sanitation protocols.

• Experience completing production logs, batch documentation, and other quality assurance records.

• Exposure to high-volume, fast-paced production operations with strict quality and safety standards.

• Basic understanding of preventative maintenance procedures, machine setup, calibration, and changeovers.

• Experience with material handling, batching, ingredient preparation, and filling operations.

• Comfort working in environments that require consistent PPE use and adherence to strict compliance standards.

• Strong teamwork, reliability, and communication skills in a production environment.

• Willingness to cross-train and learn multiple production processes and machines.

• Familiarity with FIFO inventory practices and other basic production flow concepts.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a stable, long-term role in a well-established food production environment that values safety, quality, and employee growth. Team members benefit from a competitive benefits package, consistent scheduling, and the potential for overtime. The organization emphasizes employee retention, providing training and development opportunities that support advancement into higher-level operator roles. You will work in a collaborative, team-oriented culture with a strong focus on safety and quality, while gaining hands-on manufacturing experience in a modern bakery production facility.

Work Environment

The position is based in a fast-paced food manufacturing facility that produces baked goods such as donuts, pastries, and muffins. The production floor features continuous machine operation and multiple production lines, requiring close coordination with team members to meet daily output goals. The environment can be hot and loud due to ovens and machinery, and strong bakery-related odors are common throughout the facility. Certain areas may involve cooler or refrigerated conditions depending on the specific production process.

Employees must follow strict GMP and food safety standards at all times, including the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hairnets, gloves, non-slip footwear, and a red hard hat. The role requires standing for 8-12 hours per shift, performing repetitive movements such as bending, stooping, and reaching, and regularly lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 50 pounds. Cleanliness and sanitation are critical, and employees are expected to maintain an organized, safe, and compliant workspace throughout each shift while working with mixers, conveyor systems, packaging equipment, and other bakery production machinery.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $21.00/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 Sacramento,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 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.