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Food Manufacturing Machine Operator Jobs in California

FLAG Solutions LLC

Production Operator

Ontario, CA · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Food Manufacturing Machine Operators Location: Ontario, CA Industry: Food Manufacturing Job Type: Temp-to-Hire / Long-Term Opportunity Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 DOE Shift: 1st and 2nd shift openings Job ...

New

Capital Staffing, Inc

Be Seen First

Manufacturing Machine Operator

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$20/hr

... Sheet Metal Machine Operator plays a crucial role in operating and maintaining sheet metal ... manufacturing and IT professionals across various industries. Capital Staffing, Inc provides ...

New

Managed Staffing

Machine Operator

Lodi, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Contract Position Overview Seeking a Machine Operator (Rheon - Case Packer/Packaging Equipment) to support food manufacturing operations at the Lodi, CA facility. This role requires hands-on machine ...

People First Employment

Machine Operator

Chino, CA · On-site

$18/hr

We are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Machine Operator to join our production team in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will be responsible for operating ...

Adecco

Machine Operator

Huntington Beach, CA

$20.25 - $23/hr

Machine Operator jobs require candidates to perform semiskilled work operating a variety of equipment and operations to include packaging of roll material from a winder within a manufacturing ...

Legacy Staffing

Filler Machine Operator

Bakersfield, CA

$18 - $20/hr

Filler Machine Operator Location: Bakersfield, CA Employment Type: Full-Time, Temp-to-Hire Pay Rate ... Food manufacturing or bottling experience preferred. * Good communication skills and ability to ...

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All JobsFood Manufacturing Machine Operator JobsFood Manufacturing Machine Operator Jobs in California

Food Manufacturing Machine Operator information

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$11

$17

$23

How much do food manufacturing machine operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for food manufacturing machine operator in California is $17.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a manufacturing machine operator do?

A manufacturing machine operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and monitoring machinery used in food production to ensure efficient and safe operation. They perform routine inspections, make adjustments as needed, and follow safety protocols, often working with tools and quality control measures. This role requires attention to detail and adherence to industry standards to maintain product quality and safety.

What is a food machine operator?

A food machine operator is a worker responsible for operating and maintaining machinery used in food manufacturing processes. They ensure equipment runs efficiently, follow safety protocols, and may need to monitor product quality and perform routine maintenance. This role often requires attention to detail, technical skills, and adherence to food safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Manufacturing Machine Operator, and why are they important?

To excel as a Food Manufacturing Machine Operator, you need a solid understanding of machinery operation, basic mechanical aptitude, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with automated production equipment, safety protocols, and sometimes HACCP certification is important. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills help operators maintain quality and efficiently address issues. These skills ensure safe, consistent production and help meet strict food industry standards.

What does a Food Manufacturing Machine Operator do?

A Food Manufacturing Machine Operator is responsible for running and maintaining machinery that processes, packages, or prepares food products in a factory setting. Their tasks include setting up equipment, monitoring production lines, performing quality checks, and troubleshooting minor issues to ensure efficient operation. They must follow strict safety and hygiene standards to prevent contamination and ensure product quality. Operators may also be involved in cleaning machinery and recording production data.

What are some common challenges faced by Food Manufacturing Machine Operators, and how can they be managed?

Food Manufacturing Machine Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent product quality, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and adhering to strict safety and hygiene standards. Managing these challenges requires attention to detail, quick problem-solving skills, and thorough knowledge of the machinery used. Regular training, proactive maintenance, and effective communication with maintenance and quality assurance teams help operators minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations. Staying organized and following established protocols can also make it easier to handle high production demands and frequent changeovers.

What is the highest paying job in the food industry?

In the food industry, executive roles such as Food Production Managers or Plant Managers tend to be the highest paying positions, often earning six-figure salaries. These roles require extensive experience, leadership skills, and knowledge of manufacturing processes and safety regulations.

What is the highest paying machine operator job?

The highest paying machine operator jobs are often found in specialized industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, or pharmaceutical manufacturing, where operators may earn higher wages due to the complexity and safety requirements. Senior or lead machine operators with advanced certifications and extensive experience can also command higher salaries, especially when operating complex or high-value equipment. Certifications in equipment safety or process control can further increase earning potential.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing Machine Operator vs Food Processing Technician?

AspectFood Manufacturing Machine OperatorFood Processing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; technical training or certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, manufacturing plantsProcessing facilities, quality control labs, production areas
Job FocusOperating and monitoring machinery to produce food productsMaintaining, troubleshooting, and improving processing equipment
Common UsageManufacturing food items like snacks, beverages, canned goodsEnsuring quality, safety, and efficiency in food processing

While both roles work in food production environments, Food Manufacturing Machine Operators primarily focus on operating machinery, whereas Food Processing Technicians handle equipment maintenance and quality control. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California? For Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California are:
Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing Machine Operator job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 26% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,331 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Production Operator

FLAG Solutions LLC

Ontario, CA • On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Food Manufacturing Machine Operators

Location: Ontario, CA
Industry: Food Manufacturing
Job Type: Temp-to-Hire / Long-Term Opportunity
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 DOE
Shift: 1st and 2nd shift openings


Job Summary

We are hiring multiple Food Manufacturing Machine Operators for a confidential food manufacturing facility in Ontario, CA. These openings support production, mixing, cooking, extrusion, coating, wrapping, tray sealing, and packaging operations.

This is a great opportunity for candidates with experience in food manufacturing, machine operation, packaging, batching, mixing, cooking, sanitation, or fast-paced production environments.

Openings may include:

  • Mixer Operator
  • Syrup Cook Operator
  • Slab / Extruder Operator
  • Enrober Operator
  • Wrapper Operator
  • Tray Sealer Operator
  • Packaging Machine Operator
  • Production Machine Operator

Candidates will be matched to the best-fit position based on experience, skill set, and shift availability.


Responsibilities

Depending on the assigned department, duties may include:

  • Operate food production or packaging equipment according to work instructions and production requirements.
  • Prepare, combine, mix, cook, coat, seal, wrap, or package product according to batch sheets, recipes, specifications, and quality standards.
  • Verify product specifications such as weight, size, coating, temperature, seal integrity, coding, and appearance.
  • Follow batch sheets, recipe instructions, production paperwork, quality forms, and documentation procedures.
  • Stage, verify, and inspect ingredients, raw materials, coatings, packaging materials, or finished products.
  • Confirm RM numbers, labels, batch information, and production materials match required documentation.
  • Perform visual checks for abnormal conditions, contamination, product defects, incorrect materials, or quality concerns.
  • Make minor equipment adjustments using tools to maintain production flow and product quality.
  • Monitor machine speed, settings, temperature, coating levels, wrapper settings, tray sealing, and related production conditions.
  • Assemble, disassemble, clean, and reassemble equipment during start-up, changeovers, sanitation, or production needs.
  • Complete required sign-offs, control charts, scaling sheets, batch records, quality paperwork, or production documentation.
  • Communicate issues to leads, supervisors, quality, or maintenance when equipment, product, or materials are out of specification.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
  • Follow all GMP, GSP, food safety, PPE, sanitation, quality, and safety requirements.
  • Support line changeovers, sanitation activities, recycling of off-spec product, and other production duties as assigned.


Qualifications

Qualified candidates should have one or more of the following:

  • Food manufacturing experience preferred.
  • Machine operator or production operator experience preferred.
  • Experience in mixing, batching, cooking, extrusion, coating, wrapping, sealing, or packaging is a plus.
  • Ability to follow batch sheets, work instructions, production paperwork, and quality documentation.
  • Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, ratios, and percentages.
  • Basic computer literacy preferred.
  • Mechanical aptitude and ability to make minor equipment adjustments.
  • Strong attention to detail and quality.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-speed production environment.
  • Ability to communicate with leads, supervisors, maintenance, quality, and team members.
  • Reliable attendance and punctuality.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to follow all food safety, GMP, GSP, PPE, sanitation, and quality requirements.


Preferred Experience

  • 1–2 years of food manufacturing experience.
  • Experience operating production or packaging machinery.
  • Experience with batch sheets, recipes, control charts, scaling sheets, or quality paperwork.
  • Experience checking product weights, dimensions, temperatures, seal integrity, coding, or packaging quality.
  • Experience with mixers, blenders, kettles, extruders, enrobers, wrappers, tray sealers, check weighers, robotics, or similar food production equipment.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.


Physical Requirements

  • Ability to stand for extended periods.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, depending on role.
  • Some roles may require lifting and carrying up to 55 lbs.
  • Ability to bend, twist, squat, reach, and perform repetitive movements throughout the shift.
  • Ability to make minor equipment adjustments with tools.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.
  • Ability to work around food ingredients, packaging materials, allergens, machinery, and sanitation activities.
  • Ability to wear required PPE and follow all safety procedures.
  • Some roles may require climbing ladders or using hands and feet to operate machinery controls.


Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is reliable, safety-focused, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. This person should be able to follow instructions, complete paperwork accurately, communicate issues quickly, and help keep production running safely and efficiently.

Strong candidates may have experience as a machine operator, mixer operator, cook operator, packaging operator, wrapper operator, enrober operator, tray sealer operator, batcher, production associate, or food manufacturing worker.