General Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: General Operator

Job Description

The General Operator plays a key role in seed production and processing across all seasons, supporting activities such as harvesting, conditioning, treating, packaging, warehousing, and shipping. In this role, you follow standard operating procedures and work instructions to maintain high safety and quality standards while performing a wide variety of tasks indoors and outdoors in a fast-paced, agricultural manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform general labor duties to support seed production, processing, and inventory management throughout the year, following all standard operating procedures and work instructions.
• Safely perform daily tasks in a timely manner while maintaining seed quality and adhering to all safety, quality, and site policies.
• Work independently or as part of a team, adjusting to changing conditions, anticipating needs, and making sound independent decisions as required.
• Support seasonal activities that vary by time of year, including field and plant tasks during spring and summer, harvest and packaging in fall, and cleaning, maintenance support, warehousing, and shipping in winter.
• Maintain year-round 5S standards, including cleaning, painting, and general plant upkeep to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient worksite.
• September–October: Receive and process trucks hauling crop from the field for weighing and unloading, ensuring carriers are safely unloaded with the correct variety and quality.
• Collect samples using a truck probe and ensure accurate information is entered on scale tickets and in computer systems.
• Complete harvest activities such as husk and sort operations and other tasks related to crop handling.
• Operate dryers to dry crop within prescribed safety, quality, and financial requirements.
• Manage shelling and storage of crop from bins in the dryer facility and supply the conditioning department with a consistent flow of seed.
• Apply appropriate treatment to seed according to established procedures and quality standards.
• November–March: Label, tag, bag, and palletize seed, ensuring accurate identification and proper packaging.
• Enter inventory information into computer systems and help maintain accurate inventory records.
• Stage seed for shipment in the warehouse and prepare orders for loading and delivery.
• Perform warehouse activities, including operating forklifts to pick, pool, stage, receive, load, and unload carriers, trailers, and other product movements as required.
• Work closely with the Shipping and Scheduling team to follow SOPs and maintain safety and quality while handling products.
• Assist dock personnel with handling bags during order picking and follow all standard operating procedures for PPE, movement of bags, and pedestrian walkways.
• Support cleaning and 5S duties throughout the warehouse to maintain a clean and organized environment.
• Packaging: Assist the Packaging Operator or Team Lead with operating packaging equipment, machines, and tools that you have been trained to use safely.
• Follow standard operating procedures for all equipment, machines, and tools used in packaging operations.
• Assist in tracking material inventory related to packaging and use work instructions to maintain safety and product quality.
• April–August: Retag in-house seed and re-bag backhaul returned seed as needed.
• Inspect pro boxes to ensure they are free of debris and properly cleaned, and wash pro boxes when necessary.
• Box Wash: Assist the Box Wash Operator or Team Lead with box wash equipment, inspection processes, repair processes, and related tools that you have been trained to operate safely.
• Follow standard operating procedures for box wash equipment, machines, and tools and help audit clean boxes and track metrics for the box wash area.
• Perform various other duties as assigned by supervisors and team leads to support production, processing, and facility operations.
• Carry out physical tasks such as standing or sitting for extended periods, operating forklifts, performing repetitive motions, and repetitive lifting of up to approximately 60 pounds.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance and arrive at the work site as instructed with reliable transportation.
• Abide by all site policies, including seatbelt use in all motor vehicles on property, electronic device policies, and restrictions on food, drink, and mobile devices in working areas.
• Park only in marked and appropriate areas as directed and comply with the smoke-free workplace policy.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with team members, supervisors, and other departments.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, a positive attitude, honesty, and respect toward all coworkers and stakeholders while contributing to a safe and collaborative work environment.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 6+ months experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in general production, assembly, packaging, or material handling.
• Ability to safely perform duties in a timely manner while consistently maintaining seed quality.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team, adapting to changing conditions and anticipating operational needs.
• Ability to make independent decisions and take appropriate action within established guidelines and procedures.
• Reliable and dependable with exceptional attendance and the ability to commit to long shifts and rotational schedules.
• Ability to pass a experience check and other pre-employment screenings as required.
• Reliable transportation to and from the work site and the ability to arrive at the assignment location as instructed.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with team members and recording information in computer systems.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to approximately 60 pounds and perform repetitive lifting and motion tasks.
• Ability to stand on feet for 10+ hour shifts and work long hours, including overtime, as needed.
• Comfort working in both indoor and outdoor environments with temperature fluctuations and exposure to warm and cold weather.
• Ability to walk on uneven surfaces and work around large machinery and equipment.
• Capability to operate forklifts safely for warehouse and material handling activities (training may be provided as needed).
• Commitment to following all safety policies, including seatbelt use, electronic device restrictions, and PPE requirements.
• Willingness to maintain enthusiasm, a good attitude, honesty, and respect for all colleagues and partners.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with general labor tasks such as loading, unloading, and material handling in a production or warehouse setting.
• Experience in inventory management, including entering data into computer systems and tracking stock levels.
• Exposure to seed production, agricultural processing, or similar environments focused on conditioning, treating, packaging, and storage.
• Comfort working with repetitive tasks and maintaining focus and accuracy over long shifts.
• Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures, work instructions, and safety guidelines.
• Experience with packaging operations, including bagging, palletizing, labeling, and tagging products.
• Familiarity with warehouse processes such as picking, pooling, staging, receiving, and shipping.
• Willingness to support maintenance, cleaning, and 5S activities to keep facilities organized and efficient.
• Ability to work rotational shifts, including day and night 12-hour schedules during peak harvest season.
• Strong attention to detail when inspecting seed, pro boxes, and packaged products to ensure cleanliness and quality.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and seasonal demands.
• Ability to comply with site policies regarding mobile device usage, food and drink restrictions, and designated break areas.

Why Work Here?

You join a mission-driven organization that helps farmers feed the world while protecting the planet, working with trusted agricultural brands in a dynamic production environment. You collaborate with great people who value safety, quality, and teamwork, and you gain exposure to a wide range of operations across the seed production lifecycle. The environment offers opportunities to build skills in manufacturing, warehousing, and equipment operation, with clear procedures and standards that support your growth and success.

Work Environment

This role is based in a seed production and processing setting focused on corn hybrid development, conditioning, treating, packaging, and storage. You work in a combination of indoor and outdoor areas, including plant floors, warehouses, and nearby fields, depending on the season and assigned responsibilities. The facility ramps up to more than 200 employees during harvest season, and during this period it operates 24/7 on four separate shifts, with typical 12-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The environment is physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods, repetitive motions, lifting up to approximately 50–60 pounds, and working at heights or around large machinery. You may experience varying weather conditions, including hot, cold, wet, and dusty conditions, especially during planting and harvest seasons. Required attire includes steel-toe, over-the-ankle work boots (provided by the worker), long pants made of durable material such as jeans, and a shirt with sleeves that at least cover the shoulders with no loose clothing. The site provides high-visibility hard hats, general purpose gloves, high-visibility safety vests, and safety eyewear. The workplace is smoke-free, and food and drink are not allowed in work areas. Mobile phones and other portable electronic devices are restricted to break areas during scheduled lunch and break times, and any use while operating a vehicle must be hands-free with voice commands or single-touch activation. Seatbelts must be worn in all motor vehicles on property, and parking is allowed only in marked and appropriate areas. Workers are encouraged to bring meals and snacks, preferably in a cooler if cold storage is not available.

This is a Contract position based out of Durant, IA.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/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 Durant,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 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.