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Food Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

ByHeart

Food Manufacturing Sanitation Operator

Allerton, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

This position carries real accountability and works directly in service of the best-in-class domestic manufacturing platform we're building. Reports to: Food Safety Manager/Sanitation Supervisor ...

ByHeart

Food Manufacturing Sanitation Operator

Allerton, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

This position carries real accountability and works directly in service of the best-in-class domestic manufacturing platform we're building. Reports to: Food Safety Manager/Sanitation Supervisor ...

Kraft Heinz

Manufacturing Team Member

Mason City, IA · On-site

$22.77/hr

This position requires individuals to perform general production duties in a food manufacturing environment following strict quality and safety standards. Minimum Qualifications * Must be at least 18 ...

Ethos

Senior Plant Engineer

Mason City, IA

$88K - $121K/yr

As the leader of engineering activities, you will ensure our facilities remain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing process, developing and executing highly innovative technology projects. In this ...

Ethos

Senior Plant Engineer

Mason City, IA · On-site

$88K - $121K/yr

As the leader of engineering activities, you will ensure our facilities remain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing process, developing and executing highly innovative technology projects. In this ...

Ethos

Senior Plant Engineer

Mason City, IA · On-site

$88K - $121K/yr

As the leader of engineering activities, you will ensure our facilities remain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing process, developing and executing highly innovative technology projects. In this ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood Manufacturing JobsFood Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa

Food Manufacturing information

See Iowa salary details

$41.3K

$94.1K

$128.2K

How much do food manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for food manufacturing in Iowa is $94,075.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,600.00 and $115,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food manufacturing?

Food manufacturing is the process of transforming raw ingredients into finished food products through various methods such as processing, packaging, and distribution. This industry includes everything from large-scale production of packaged goods to specialized food items. Food manufacturing ensures that products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards before reaching consumers. It involves numerous roles, including machine operators, quality assurance specialists, and food scientists, all working together to produce safe and consistent food products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food manufacturing, and why are they important?

To excel in Food Manufacturing, strong knowledge of food safety standards, quality control, and production processes is essential, often supported by relevant certifications such as HACCP or SQF. Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, and inventory management software is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are crucial soft skills for maintaining efficiency and product quality. These competencies ensure safe, consistent, and high-standard food production in a regulated, fast-paced environment.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in food manufacturing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in food manufacturing often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict quality control, adhering to food safety regulations, and meeting high production demands. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry standards, participating in ongoing training, and working closely with quality assurance and maintenance teams. Effective communication and collaboration across departments are essential for quickly resolving issues and ensuring smooth production processes.

Is food manufacturing a good career?

Food manufacturing is a stable career that offers opportunities in production, quality control, and management. It often requires attention to safety standards, technical skills, and sometimes certifications, with work environments that can be fast-paced and physically demanding.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing vs Food Processing Worker?

AspectFood ManufacturingFood Processing Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications varyHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be required
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, industrial settingsFactories, production lines, industrial settings
Industry UsageUsed broadly across food production companiesSpecific to processing tasks within food manufacturing
Job FocusOverseeing entire production processes or specific stagesPerforming specific processing tasks like cutting, packaging

Food Manufacturing and Food Processing Worker roles are closely related, often working in the same environments. Food Manufacturing covers a broader scope, including overseeing entire production lines, while Food Processing Workers focus on specific tasks like packaging or preparing food products. Both roles require similar credentials and are essential in the food industry.

What is the difference between food manufacturing and food processing?

There is one significant difference between food processing and food manufacturing, and that is what each industry does with a given food product. Food processing is taking a raw product and turning it into an ingredient, like turning vanilla beans into vanilla extract, whereas food manufacturers purchase ingredients and use them within a product, like taking the vanilla extract and using it to make cookies. Both industries work primarily in plant or factory settings, and sometimes food processing and manufacturing is done on the same site, but the duties of manufacturers versus processors differ in their day-to-day operations.

More about Food Manufacturing jobs
What are popular job titles related to Food Manufacturing jobs in Iowa? For Food Manufacturing jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Manufacturing jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Food Manufacturing jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Food Manufacturing jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Food Manufacturing job openings:
Food Manufacturing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 8% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,075 per year, or $45.2 per hour.

Food Manufacturing Sanitation Operator

ByHeart

Allerton, IA • On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

ByHeart rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

153rd of 435 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

About ByHeart
ByHeart was built on the belief that infant formula should be held to a higher standard. We spent seven years developing an evidence-based formula from the ground up, running the largest clinical trial by a new infant formula brand in 25 years, and building our own manufacturing facilities.
ByHeart is a nutrition company, specializing in infant formula, committed to the highest manufacturing and safety standards in the industry - now expanding that same standard across a broader range of nutrition products. We own three domestic U.S. facilities and have invested heavily in infrastructure, R&D, and in-house quality systems, able to provide third-party incubation and manufacturing support for leading ingredient and end-product nutrition brands.
We are now actively expanding operations at our Allerton, Iowa facility. Our factory is running and we are focused on scaling our manufacturing to support a broader range of dairy nutrition products. This is a new and growing chapter for the facility and we're hiring the people who will help us build it.
Why This Role Exists
This role is at the heart of what's next for our Allerton, Iowa facility. As we scale our operations, we need people who share our same commitment to quality and safety. This position carries real accountability and works directly in service of the best-in-class domestic manufacturing platform we're building.
Reports to: Food Safety Manager/Sanitation Supervisor Location: Allerton, IA Start date: ASAP
Roles & Responsibilities
  • Perform sanitation activities as outlined in the master sanitation schedule.
  • Work as directed by the Sanitation/Production Manager for additional shift sanitation support.
  • Monitor sanitation supplies to ensure inventory is maintained
  • Monitor sanitation logs and alert Managers if logs are incomplete.
  • Support Production Operators where needed during CIP and scheduled cleaning.
  • Completing logs for cleaning, sanitation, materials transactions and records as required in SOPs.
  • General cleaning of the facility and performing sanitation functions per procedure or as directed.
  • Operating a forklift for material movement as required for position.
  • Perform other sanitation duties as directed by Sanitation Supervisor/Food Safety Manager.

What We're Looking For
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • Demonstrated ability and certification in Sanitation or equivalent experience
  • Must be self-disciplined, a team player, and be able to handle emergency situations common to the operation
  • Must be able to maintain and display personal cleanliness and follow GMPs' as described in company guidelines. Must be able to write clearly and in an organized fashion
  • Demonstrated ability to understand and follow sanitation procedures, chemical concentrations and chemical safety procedures.
  • Able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without accommodation

What We Offer
  • Generous Paid Time Off - starting with up to 144 hours of vacation, 40 hours of sick time, 13 Company paid holidays, a birthday holiday, and 2 floating holidays per calendar year.
  • Health Benefits - benefit eligible on 1st day, 100% paid for employee and 90% paid for family coverage.
  • 401 (k) with company match up to 6%, no vesting
  • 16 weeks of paid parental leave
  • Our Commitment to Quality:
    • Our facilities were designed from day one to the highest quality standards because we believe that's the only credible foundation for functional nutrition manufacturing.
    • We value experience working in highly regulated food, pharmaceutical, or nutrition environments and who value and understand quality as a core competency.
    • Our team has over 300 years of combined expertise in regulated food innovation and manufacturing.
    • You'll be working alongside people who've built and run quality systems at the highest levels globally.

We're excited about your interest in joining ByHeart! Our Talent Acquisition team reviews applications in the order they are received and will reach out directly to schedule interviews. We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting hiring managers or current employees directly.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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