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Cracker Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Plant Controller

Brattleboro, VT · On-site

$79K - $95K/yr

... Cracker Barrel ® , Black Diamond ® cheddar, and Parmalat ® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes ... Plant Controller - Enhance financial transparency and drive operational efficiency within the ...

Plant Controller

Brattleboro, VT

$108K - $134K/yr

... Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi?s ... Plant Controller - Enhance financial transparency and drive operational efficiency within the ...

Plant Controller

Brattleboro, VT · On-site

$79K - $95K/yr

... Cracker Barrel ® , Black Diamond ® cheddar, and Parmalat ® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes ... Plant Controller - Enhance financial transparency and drive operational efficiency within the ...

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Cracker Plant information

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$40.5K

$116.4K

$179K

How much do cracker plant jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for cracker plant in the United States is $116,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,000.00 and $140,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cracker Plant Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cracker Plant Operator, you typically need a background in chemical or mechanical engineering, process operations experience, and relevant safety training or certifications. Familiarity with distributed control systems (DCS), process instrumentation, and industrial safety regulations like OSHA is crucial. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous operation of complex petrochemical processes.

What is the difference between Cracker Plant vs Petrochemical Operator?

AspectCracker PlantPetrochemical Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plant setting, often outdoors or in confined spacesIndustrial plant setting, often outdoors or in confined spaces
Industry UsagePrimarily in petrochemical manufacturing plants that process hydrocarbonsInvolved in operating and maintaining petrochemical processing equipment

The Cracker Plant and Petrochemical Operator roles both require similar credentials and work in comparable industrial environments. While the Cracker Plant focuses on the initial cracking process of hydrocarbons, the Petrochemical Operator manages various processing stages within petrochemical facilities. Both positions are essential in the petrochemical industry and often overlap in skills and responsibilities.

What are some typical challenges faced by operators working in a cracker plant, and how are they addressed?

Operators in a cracker plant often encounter challenges related to maintaining safety and efficiency during high-temperature chemical processes. Managing complex equipment and responding quickly to alarms or system fluctuations require strong technical skills and attention to detail. To address these challenges, plants provide comprehensive training, enforce strict safety protocols, and encourage teamwork among operators, engineers, and maintenance staff to ensure smooth and safe operations.

What is a Cracker Plant?

A Cracker Plant, also known as an ethylene cracker or petrochemical cracker, is an industrial facility that breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules from natural gas or crude oil into smaller molecules like ethylene, propylene, and other valuable chemicals. These products are essential building blocks for plastics, synthetic rubber, and other industrial materials. Cracker plants use high temperatures and sometimes catalysts in a process called 'cracking' to achieve this molecular breakdown. The output from cracker plants is vital for the chemical manufacturing and plastics industries.
More about Cracker Plant jobs
What cities are hiring for Cracker Plant jobs? Cities with the most Cracker Plant job openings:
What states have the most Cracker Plant jobs? States with the most job openings for Cracker Plant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Cracker Plant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Cracker Plant jobs are:
Infographic showing various Cracker Plant job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 11% Full Time, 62% Part Time, 4% Temporary, 19% Nights, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,420 per year, or $56 per hour.

Production Supervisor, 2nd Shift

Maker's Pride

Front Royal, VA

Full-time, Other

Posted 11 days ago


Maker's Pride rating

4.8

Company rating: 4.8 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

355th of 380 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

The Production Supervisor will be working in our Front Royal, VA wafer & cracker plant (located 80 minutes from downtown Washington D.C) which produces more than 150M lbs. per year! The Front Royal, VA plant employs 350+ non-union team members and is a state-of-the-art facility that is nearly 400k sq.

ft., operates with 6 highly automated production lines and possess a strong team-oriented culture.Core hours/schedule:Monday-Friday, 2:30pm-11:00pm and the availability to work Saturday and Sunday on a rotation to support the business. Scope: The purpose of this role is to provide leadership, by example and playing a hands-on role in the Production Department. The Supervisor is responsible for directing the efforts of one or more lines of production in the Production Team.

This is done through enhancing teamwork, effective communications, actively listening to employees, and driving change. Additionally, the Resource Leader must focus on safety, process efficiency and continuous improvement, quality assurance, and meeting customer expectations. Expected Leadership Behaviors: Effective Communicator, Continuous Improvement Focused, Action and Intensity Oriented, Ethics & Integrity, Employee Involvement Focused Responsibilities:Provide direct supervision and motivation to team members.Ensuring safe work conditions for team members.Improving team member performance and development through coaching.Oversee the quality production of his or her line's scheduled product run.

Train team members to job procedures and best manufacturing practices.Instructs and leads team members in the use of and ensures compliance in IPM (Integrated Process Management) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).Work with other Team Leaders on continuous improvement projects. Interface with support departments.Track and report key indicators such as quality, downtime, efficiency, and waste problems.Monitors performance and tracks attendance and vacation approval.May pack, process, and contribute to production on an as-needed basis.Establish and sustain positive employee environment through effective communications with all employees in order to foster an environment where innovation and cooperation are used to solve problems. Optimizing production equipment and processes as an advocate of continuous improvement solutions designed to meet and exceed production standards and objectives.Qualifications:High school diploma required.

BA, BS or AS degree preferred.2 or more years of manufacturing leadership experience is required. Ideally in CPG manufacturing.Strong team building and training skill set. Understands and has utilized continuous improvement tools, such as, lean, theory of constraints, value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and/or six sigma is ideal.

Knowledge of OSHA regulations, HACCP and Food GMPs (in a food environment preferred) and experience implementing food safety programs. ERP system experience, preferably SAP. Ability to work assigned hours, including overtime.

Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to be flexible and pivot quickly to support the business needs. Demonstrated expertise in multi-tasking, handling projects and meeting deadlines in a complex manufacturing environment Good interpersonal skills are essential. Must work with others in a team atmosphere.

Must be able to read, write and understand instructions, warnings, labels and postings in English effectively.#LI-MA1 #LI-onisteMaker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


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