1st Shift Production

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description: Production Operator – Solutions Department

Location: Carol Stream, IL (On-site)

Shifts: (1st) 6 am – 2:30 pm, (2nd) 2 pm – 10:30 pm, (3rd) 10 pm – 6:30 am

Job Summary

Unlock your potential. The company is a leading global supplier of ingredients and premix manufacturing solutions, trusted by the world's best-known food, beverage, and nutrition brands. 

The Production Operator in our Solutions department plays a critical role in the scaling, blending, and packaging of custom dry and liquid nutritional premixes. Operating in a fast-paced, food-grade manufacturing environment, this position is responsible for ensuring that all products are manufactured strictly according to customer specifications, work orders, and strict regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Blending & Batch Processing

• Execute Work Orders: Follow exact recipe blend sheets and production routers to scale, weigh, and stage raw food/nutritional ingredients.
• Equipment Operation: Set up, operate, and monitor industrial blending and mixing equipment, ensuring uniform distribution and product integrity.
• Material Verification: Confirm lot numbers, expiration dates, and item numbers of raw materials before introducing them into the blending process.

2. Packaging & Equipment Control

• Machine Operation: Operate and troubleshoot specialized packaging equipment, including auger fillers, bagging systems, pouch fillers, sealers, and weight-verification systems. 
• Labeling & Traceability: Ensure proper labeling, lot coding, and container identification are accurately applied to finished goods. 
• Palletizing: Assist in stack preparation, palletizing, and wrapping finished products for warehouse transport. 

3. Quality Assurance & Food Safety

• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain absolute compliance with FDA, ILDPH, FSMA, and BRC standards. 
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Adhere strictly to all plant GMPs and HACCP protocols to prevent cross-contamination.
• Documentation: Accurately complete batch records, downtime logs, weight checks, and material usage adjustments in real-time.

4. Sanitation & Workplace Safety

• Line Clearance: Perform thorough equipment washdowns, sanitization, and line clearance protocols between product changeovers to avoid allergen contamination. 
• OSHA Standards: Comply with all occupational health and safety regulations, including proper chemical handling and machine guarding. 
• 5S Maintenance: Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready work environment at all times. 

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in food manufacturing, chemical blending, or pharmaceutical production environments is highly preferred.
• Technical Skills: Ability to read and interpret blending sheets, work orders, and safety data sheets (SDS). Basic mathematical proficiency for inventory and scaling weights.
• Attention to Detail: High precision in following multi-step formulations and verifying long lot sequences.
• Teamwork: Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across shifts.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Heavy Lifting: Ability to frequently lift, push, pull, and carry up to 55 lbs (25 kg) independently.
• Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, and squat for extended periods over an 8- to 12-hour shift.
• Environment: Comfortable working in a facility that processes raw dry powder ingredients, which may cause moderate airborne dust particles and strong food/flavor aromas.
• PPE Requirements: Must be willing and able to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including plant-issued scrubs, hairnets, beard covers, lab coats, face masks/respirators (if required), and steel-toed boots.