Machine Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Chemical Packaging Operator

Job Description

This role operates equipment and semi-automatic processes to produce and package chemical substances for industrial and consumer products in a small chemical packaging facility. The position combines production operation, material handling, and basic monitoring of mechanical and electronic systems to ensure accurate batching, blending, and down-packing of chemical products.

Responsibilities

• Operate equipment and semi-automatic processes to produce and package chemical substances according to established procedures and safety standards.
• Work as an operator and material handler in a small chemical packaging site, managing both production tasks and movement of raw materials and finished goods.
• Follow batch sheets and recipes for chemical formulations, accurately weighing and measuring solids, powders, and liquids into heating vessels or blending tanks.
• Lift chemical bags and other materials weighing up to 50 lbs repeatedly throughout the shift.
• Inspect work areas and equipment to detect leaks, malfunctions, or abnormal conditions, shut down equipment when necessary, and promptly notify maintenance or engineering.
• Operate sit-down forklifts in tight spaces to move materials, including barrels, drums, vials, totes, and other containers, for down-packing and chemical processing.
• Bring barrels, drums, vials, and totes to equipment for filling, blending, and packaging, and move completed product to designated storage or staging areas.
• Learn product lines and formulations, and correctly label products in accordance with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Use computer software to enter and verify product content, volume, and usage data, ensuring accurate documentation for chemical mixing and inventory control.
• Provide accurate product information and batch details to other operators and team members involved in chemical mixing and processing.
• Work with valves, pressure systems, and gaseous materials, monitoring process conditions to maintain safe and efficient operation.
• Monitor and maintain mechanical and electronic systems related to vacuum levels, ensuring equipment functions within specified parameters.
• Observe chemical reactions during processing, monitor gauges, signals, and recorders, and document process data as required.
• Respond to notifications and instructions from lab supervisors or other employees regarding changes needed in the process, and adjust equipment settings accordingly.
• Perform basic material handling duties, including loading, unloading, and staging materials using forklifts and other material handling equipment.
• Support inventory activities by accurately moving and tracking materials between the processing plant and warehouse.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in work areas while working in inherently dirty conditions, adhering to facility standards for housekeeping and safety.
• Follow all safety procedures, including proper use of respirators and other personal protective equipment when required by specific jobs.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating sit-down forklifts in small or confined spaces with a high level of accuracy.
• Strong depth perception to safely reach and handle totes on high racks without damaging packaging.
• Demonstrated ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs repeatedly during the shift.
• Experience in chemical production, compounding, blending, mixing, batching, or batch making environments.
• Ability to accurately weigh and measure solids, powders, and liquids for chemical formulations.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to work with valves, pressure systems, and mechanical equipment.
• Ability to monitor and maintain mechanical and electronic systems, including vacuum levels and related instrumentation.
• Experience using RF scanners or similar devices for inventory and material tracking.
• Basic machine operating experience in a production or processing environment.
• Ability to inspect equipment and work areas for leaks or malfunctions and take appropriate action.
• Comfort working with gaseous materials and monitoring related process conditions.
• Ability to use computer software to enter, verify, and track product and batch information accurately.
• Capability to work in a physically demanding role in a hot, inherently dirty environment on a consistent basis.
• Ability to follow detailed batch sheets, recipes, and process instructions with strong attention to accuracy.

Why Work Here?

You join a well-established organization in its field that values accuracy over high-pressure environments, offering a setting that is focused, straightforward, and supportive. The facility provides uniforms and clear processes, and many employees have successfully grown their careers here over time. You benefit from a structured shift schedule, the opportunity to develop specialized skills in chemical processing and material handling, and a culture that rewards reliability, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic.

Work Environment

The role is based in a small chemical processing and packaging plant with a separate warehouse located about a mile away for storage. The work is physically demanding and inherently dirty, with conditions that can be hot in the summer and involve daily exposure to dust, powders, and chemical bags, drums, and totes. Uniforms are provided, and personal protective equipment, including a hooded respirator for certain jobs, is required as needed. The facility uses large industrial mixers similar to kitchen-aid style equipment, along with various mechanical and electronic systems for blending, batching, and vacuum monitoring. Work is performed primarily on second shift from approximately 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., in production and warehouse areas where sit-down forklifts, RF scanners, and other material handling equipment are used in tight spaces and on high racks.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Richmond, VA.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $22.00/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 Richmond,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 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.