Packaging Associate

Packaging Associate – 1st & 2nd Shift

House of Bricks | Village Gourmet Location: 3 Little Pigs (Wilkes-Barre, PA) Employment Type: Full-Time, On-side Shifts: 1st Shift: 7:00 AM–3:30 PM | 2nd Shift: 3:30 PM–12:00 AM Industry: Food Manufacturing

Compensation: $17.50 - $19.00 per hour, based on skills and experience. (2nd shift receives Shift Differential)

Join Our Packaging Team! At Village Gourmet, we believe great food starts with great people. Our family of specialty food brands—including 3 Little Pigs, Longhini Sausage, Fabrique Delices, Uncle Charley's Sausage, and Esposito's Sausage—is dedicated to quality, tradition, and bringing exceptional food to consumers nationwide.

Our values—Always a Way, Count on Me, Customer First, Dream Big, and It Takes a Village—shape how we work together every day.

We are looking for a dependable, detail-oriented Packaging Associate to join our Packaging team at House of Bricks. If you take pride in quality, enjoy hands-on work, and want to be part of a team that helps prepare specialty foods for customers across the country, we'd love to meet you!

What You'll Do

As a Packaging Associate, you will help ensure finished products are packaged, labeled, sealed, and prepared accurately and safely while supporting an efficient and clean production environment.

Packaging & Labeling

• Pack finished products into designated containers, trays, or packaging materials according to company specifications.
• Apply labels accurately and verify product identification, weight, and date codes.
• Inspect packaging for proper appearance and presentation.
• Seal and box finished products in preparation for staging and shipment.
• Follow packaging specifications and production instructions carefully.

Packaging Line Support

• Assist with the setup, operation, and cleanup of packaging lines.
• Help maintain a steady workflow to support daily production goals.
• Assist team members with materials, supplies, and other line needs.
• Monitor the packaging process and promptly report equipment malfunctions or production issues to the Packaging Lead or Supervisor.
• Help minimize downtime by responding quickly to production needs.

Quality & Food Safety

• Follow GMPs, HACCP procedures, USDA requirements, and company food safety standards.
• Perform basic quality checks, including: label accuracy, product identification, seal integrity, packaging appearance.
• Immediately report product quality concerns, non-conformances, or safety issues.
• Follow proper hygiene, allergen control, and cross-contamination prevention procedures.

Cleanliness & Sanitation

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area throughout the shift.
• Participate in daily cleanup and sanitation activities.
• Support cleaning activities during product changeovers and at the end of the shift.
• Properly handle packaging materials, waste, and cleaning supplies.
• Follow all required PPE and personal hygiene standards.

Teamwork & Communication

• Work collaboratively with Packaging Associates, Leads, Supervisors, and other departments.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with team members and leadership.
• Follow instructions from the Packaging Lead or Supervisor.
• Ask questions when instructions or procedures are unclear.
• Adjust to changing production needs and support the team in meeting daily goals.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous food manufacturing, packaging, or production experience is a plus—but not required. Training will be provided to qualified candidates.

Technical Skills

• Ability to learn and use basic packaging equipment such as labelers, scales, and sealing machines.
• Comfortable following written instructions, packaging specifications, and production records.
• Ability to maintain accuracy while performing repetitive tasks.

You'll Be Successful If You Are:

• Dependable and punctual.
• Detail-oriented and committed to quality.
• Safety-conscious and willing to follow established procedures.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment.
• A positive, respectful, and team-oriented coworker.
• Willing to learn new processes and assist where needed.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This is a hands-on position in a refrigerated food-production environment.

You should be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Perform repetitive hand and arm movements throughout the shift.
• Frequently bend, reach, push, pull, and lift.
• Lift and move items weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Work in cold and damp/refrigerated production areas.
• Work around food products, packaging equipment, and production machinery.
• Properly wear required PPE and follow all food and workplace safety requirements.

Schedule

1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:30 PM 2nd Shift: Monday–Friday, 3:30 PM–12:00 AM

Overtime or occasional weekend work may be required based on production needs.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means: Products are packaged, labeled, sealed, and prepared accurately and safely. Packaging meets company, quality, and regulatory requirements. Product labels, weights, date codes, and packaging are checked for accuracy. The packaging area remains clean, organized, and efficient. Quality, equipment, or safety concerns are communicated promptly. You work collaboratively with your team to meet daily production goals. Your attention to detail helps protect the quality and integrity of our products.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.