Production Associate

Production Associate

The Production Associate builds, assembles, inspects, and repairs products while operating and maintaining production and support machines. This role ensures that all work meets established quality standards, accurately documents production data, and supports continuous improvement in safety, quality, cost, and delivery. The Production Associate also collaborates closely with maintenance and engineering teams and may help train and guide other team members.

Responsibilities

• Build and assemble products using appropriate tools, equipment, and procedures.
• Inspect completed work and perform repairs to ensure products meet quality standards.
• Set up, program, and run complex production equipment and machine tools according to established procedures.
• Operate production and support machines safely and efficiently to meet production targets.
• Perform both simple and complex maintenance on production and support machines to minimize downtime.
• Run and maintain test equipment in accordance with documented procedures.
• Review and complete all required production documentation, including process data, yield, rework, and scrap records.
• Verify that all completed work conforms to production quality standards and specifications.
• Review production processes and implement improvements in line with approved change procedures.
• Communicate production needs, issues, and requests to maintenance, engineering, and other departments in a clear and timely manner.
• Suggest and support improvements that enhance safety, product quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
• Capture and review production data accurately for reporting and continuous improvement purposes.
• Follow all standard operating procedures, safety guidelines, and quality protocols in the production area.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, including proper handling and storage of tools and materials.
• May orient, train, and assign or review the work of other team members to support team effectiveness.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with building and assembling mechanical or production components.
• Ability to operate general production and machine operation equipment safely and effectively.
• Proficiency using hand tools and basic mechanical tools in a manufacturing environment.
• Capability to perform simple and complex maintenance tasks on production and support machines.
• Experience working in a cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environment, or willingness to follow strict cleanliness protocols.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand and follow technical instructions and procedures.
• Attention to detail to verify that completed work meets production quality standards.
• Ability to accurately complete production documentation, including data related to yield, rework, and scrap.
• Effective communication skills to coordinate with maintenance, engineering, and other departments.
• High school diploma or GED preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience setting up, programming, and running complex equipment and machine tools.
• Experience in general production, assembly, or manufacturing roles.
• Familiarity with reviewing processes and implementing improvements following formal change procedures.
• Experience running and maintaining test equipment according to documented procedures.
• Previous experience orienting, training, or reviewing the work of other team members.
• Strong focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a production environment.

You join a production team that values safety, quality, and continuous improvement, offering the opportunity to develop strong mechanical and technical skills in a structured environment. The role provides exposure to advanced equipment and processes, with opportunities to contribute ideas that improve safety, quality, cost, and delivery. You work in a setting where collaboration with maintenance, engineering, and other departments is encouraged, and where taking initiative and supporting teammates is recognized.

This role is based in a production and cleanroom environment where you work with assembly tools, hand tools, production machinery, and test equipment. You follow strict cleanliness, safety, and quality protocols while handling mechanical components and operating complex machines. Multiple shifts are available, including a first shift from 4:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, a second shift from 3:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, a weekend first shift from 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and a weekend second shift from 4:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. The environment emphasizes consistent procedures, clear documentation, and teamwork to meet production goals.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbia, MO.

The pay range for this position is $19.73 - $21.23/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 Columbia, MO.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 2026.