Production Associate

Production Associate

The Production Associate works in a glass manufacturing plant and supports multiple stages of the production process. In this role, you perform visual inspections and quality checks, load and unload glass on conveyor systems, and prepare products for shipment. You also assist with basic machine adjustments and collaborate with the maintenance team during equipment issues to keep production running smoothly.

Responsibilities

• Work in a plant production environment supporting the glass manufacturing process in an assigned area.
• Perform detailed visual inspections of glass parts to identify defects and ensure products meet quality standards.
• Conduct quality checks throughout the production process and document findings as required.
• Load and unload glass on various conveyor systems, ensuring safe handling and proper placement.
• Move racks and products within the facility to stage and prepare them for shipment.
• Band racks of products according to customer specifications to secure loads for transport.
• Pack products for shipment, including wrapping, boxing, labeling, and preparing materials for outbound orders.
• Assist with minor machine adjustments to support continuous production and reduce downtime.
• Work with the maintenance team when machines break down, following instructions to help troubleshoot and restart equipment.
• Follow all safety procedures, including the use of required personal protective equipment and adherence to plant safety rules.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area to support a safe and efficient production environment.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance and adhere to attendance policies, especially during the first 90 days.
• Participate in training on day shift and then transition to assigned night or rotating shifts as scheduled.
• Support different roles such as entry-level quality inspection (BT Inspect) or assembly and machine operation (WS Assembly) based on experience and assignment.

Essential Skills

• Experience in production, general production, or manufacturing environments.
• Background in assembly work, including automotive assembly or similar repetitive production tasks.
• Machine operating or machine operator experience, including operating or working with production machinery.
• Ability to perform visual inspection and quality checks on parts and finished products.
• Experience with packaging, packing, and preparing products for shipment.
• Comfort performing general labor tasks in a plant environment, including moving racks and materials.
• Capability to assist with basic machine operation and minor adjustments under guidance.
• Reliable attendance and ability to adhere to strict attendance policies, especially within the first 90 days.
• Willingness and ability to work 12-hour shifts on a 2-2-3 schedule (days or nights) as assigned.
• Ability to complete orientation and training on day shift and then transition to night or rotating shifts.
• For WS Assembly roles, 12 years of experience working with or operating machines is required.
• Previous warehouse or plant experience for entry-level quality inspection (BT Inspect) roles.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a production worker in a manufacturing or plant production environment.
• Prior experience in automotive assembly or similar high-volume production settings.
• Familiarity with inspection processes and basic quality control in a manufacturing context.
• Ability to work effectively in a union environment and follow established processes and procedures.
• Comfort working in a non-climate-controlled environment that can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
• Willingness to progress from Production Associate (entry level) to Production Technician as opportunities arise.
• Openness to cross-training in different areas such as inspection, assembly, and machine operation.
• Ability to follow detailed customer specifications for banding, packing, and preparing products for shipment.

Why Work Here?

You join a stable union environment that offers structured career progression and long-term opportunities. The organization promotes from within, giving you a clear path to advance from entry-level Production Associate to higher-level roles such as Production Technician. You benefit from guaranteed pay increases over time, reflecting a commitment to rewarding consistent performance and growth. Comprehensive training supports your success, and the culture emphasizes safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is based in a plant production environment focused on glass manufacturing. The facility is clean and safety-oriented, with structured processes and training provided to help you succeed. The environment is non-climate-controlled, so it can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. You work 12-hour shifts on a 2-2-3 schedule, primarily on either days or nights, with training typically conducted on day shift before transitioning to nights. Some roles, such as those on Shift K, follow a schedule of Monday to Wednesday and every other Monday to Thursday from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. Orientation takes place on first shift during the first week, generally Tuesday through Friday from about 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., after which you move into your regular shift. Attendance expectations are strict, especially in the first 90 days, where only limited attendance points are allowed. The company provides high-visibility vests, hearing protection, and other required protective equipment, while you supply your own safety shoes made of leather. The work involves regular use of conveyors, production machines, and packaging equipment, and you collaborate closely with production and maintenance teams in a structured, unionized setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Vonore, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $17.98 - $19.48/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Vonore, TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 3, 2026.