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Cracker Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lactalis

Production Planner

Reed City, MI · On-site

... Cracker Barrel ® , Black Diamond ® cheddar, and Parmalat ® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes ... The Plant Supply Planner / Production Scheduler is responsible for developing and executing ...

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Sr. Process Engineer

Reed City, MI · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

... Cracker Barrel ® , Black Diamond ® cheddar, and Parmalat ® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes ... As a Senior Process Engineer in our Reed City, MI yogurt plant, you will take ownership of the ...

Lactalis

Sr. Process Engineer

Reed City, MI · On-site

$92K - $119K/yr

... Cracker Barrel ® , Black Diamond ® cheddar, and Parmalat ® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes ... As a Senior Process Engineer in our Reed City, MI yogurt plant, you will take ownership of the ...

Lactalis

Sr. Maintenance Manager, Whey & RSPC

Nampa, ID · On-site

... Cracker Barrel ® , Black Diamond ® cheddar, and Parmalat ® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes ... Advise plant leadership and team members on policies, procedures and appropriate sourcing resources ...

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Cracker Plant information

See salary details

$40.5K

$116.4K

$179K

How much do cracker plant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 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 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cracker plant operator?

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 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 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.

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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:

Cracker Plant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cracker Plant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. 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 Planner

Lactalis

Reed City, MI • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Lactalis USA rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

98th of 440 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.
At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive-whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.
As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.
In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.
At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.
Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.
From your PASSION to ours
Midwest Yogurt, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Production Planner based in Reed City, Michigan.
The Plant Supply Planner / Production Scheduler is responsible for developing and executing production and supply plans that align customer demand, inventory objectives, and manufacturing capacity while optimizing operational efficiency and service performance. This role serves as a critical link between Operations, Logistics, Procurement, Warehousing, Quality, Customer Service, and Supply Planning to ensure finished goods are produced, deployed, and delivered in the right quantities and at the right time.
The position manages production scheduling, inventory planning, material availability, and product deployment while balancing customer requirements, capacity constraints, labor resources, and supply chain risks. The Plant Supply Planner proactively identifies potential disruptions, develops contingency plans, and drives cross-functional collaboration to maintain service levels, inventory targets, and overall plant performance. The role also supports and performs other duties assigned by management.
From your EXPERTISE to our
Key responsibilities for this position include:
  • Develop and maintain daily and weekly production schedules to support customer demand, inventory objectives, and operational efficiency.
  • Balance production capacity, labor availability, material supply, and plant constraints to optimize schedule execution and asset utilization.
  • Monitor schedule adherence, inventory levels, and product availability, implementing corrective actions as needed.
  • Analyze forecasts, customer orders, inventory positions, and production performance to determine supply requirements and inventory strategies.
  • Coordinate material availability with procurement and MRP functions to ensure uninterrupted production.
  • Manage finished goods deployment to distribution locations while supporting transportation efficiency and customer service objectives.
  • Serve as the primary planning liaison between Operations, Maintenance, Logistics, Warehousing, Procurement, Quality, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams.
  • Utilize ERP and planning systems to maintain planning data, manage exceptions, generate reports, and support decision-making.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on scheduling accuracy, inventory optimization, operational performance, and customer service.
  • Provide backup support for planning functions, inventory management activities, plant shutdown planning, and special projects.

Requirements
From your STORY to ours
Qualified applicants will contribute the following:
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business, Logistics, Operations, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience in production planning, supply planning, scheduling, logistics, or manufacturing operations.
  • Experience in food, dairy, beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or high-volume manufacturing environments preferred.

Technical Skills
  • Proficiency in ERP/MRP and advanced planning systems (SAP, OMP, APO, Oracle, JD Edwards, or similar).
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
  • Strong analytical, inventory management, capacity planning, and reporting capabilities.
  • Thorough understanding of manufacturing operations and supply chain processes.

Core Competencies
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management abilities.
  • Ability to prioritize and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong organizational skills with a focus on accuracy and execution.
  • Demonstrated leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement mindset.
  • Commitment to quality, customer service, and operational excellence.

Preferred Qualifications
  • APICS/ASCM CPIM Certification.
  • SAP Production Planning (PP) experience.
  • Experience with advanced planning and finite scheduling tools.
  • Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma experience.
  • Dairy or food manufacturing experience.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.
Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.

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