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Food Production Associate Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Simos

General Labor Food Production

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$16.50/hr

Description Staff Management | SMX is hiring for General Labor Food Production Associates in Des Plaines near O'Hare Airport! We offer benefit packages, weekly pay, as well as advancement and ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$22.96/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $22.96/ hour. * Shift: Varies ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Grupo Bimbo

Production Associate

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$22.96/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $22.96/ hour. * Shift: Varies ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Grupo Bimbo

Production Associate

Cicero, IL · On-site

$25.80/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $25.80/ hour. * 1st Shift Openings ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Cicero, IL

$25.80/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply!Great starting pay! $25.80/ hour.1st Shift Openings: 5am ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards.What we need ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$22.96/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply!Great starting pay! $22.96/ hour.Shift: VariesCompetitive ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards.What we need ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Cicero, IL · On-site

$25.80/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $25.80/ hour. * 1st Shift Openings ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Mattoon, IL · On-site

$22.96/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $22.96/ hour. * Shift: Varies ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Cicero, IL · On-site

$25.80/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $25.80/ hour. * 1st Shift Openings ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Grupo Bimbo

Production Associate

Cicero, IL · On-site

$19.30/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $19.30/ hour. * Shift: 5:00pm to 5 ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

Bimbo Bakeries USA

Production Associate

Cicero, IL · On-site

$19.30/hr

Production Associate Top Reasons to Apply! * Great starting pay! $19.30/ hour. * Shift: 5:00pm to 5 ... Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, and Superior quality standards. What we need ...

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All JobsFood Production Associate JobsFood Production Associate Jobs in Illinois

Food Production Associate information

See Illinois salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do food production associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for food production associate in Illinois is $14.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $16.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food production associate?

Food Production Associates are workers who assist in the preparation, packaging, and quality control of food products in manufacturing or processing facilities. Their responsibilities often include operating machinery, following recipes or production guidelines, maintaining cleanliness and safety standards, and monitoring products for quality. They play a key role in ensuring that food items are produced efficiently and meet health and safety regulations before reaching consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food production associate?

To thrive as a Food Production Associate, you need knowledge of food safety standards, attention to detail, and basic math skills, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with food processing equipment, HACCP protocols, and inventory management systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and communication skills help individuals excel in fast-paced environments. These abilities ensure efficient, safe, and high-quality food production that meets regulatory and company standards.

What are some common challenges faced by food production associates, and how can they be managed?

Food Production Associates often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict hygiene standards, meeting high production quotas, and adapting to fast-paced work environments. Successfully managing these challenges involves following proper safety protocols, staying organized, and collaborating effectively with team members. Open communication with supervisors and ongoing training also help associates stay updated on best practices and regulations, ensuring a smooth workflow and product quality.

What is the difference between Food Production Associate vs Food Processing Worker?

AspectFood Production AssociateFood Processing Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require food safety certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; often requires food safety training
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, food manufacturing plantsFood processing facilities, manufacturing plants, packaging lines
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing companies, processing plantsFood processing companies, packaging facilities
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Food Production Associate and a Food Processing Worker lies in their specific roles within food manufacturing. Food Production Associates typically focus on assembling, packaging, and quality checks on production lines, while Food Processing Workers may be involved in more specialized processing tasks. Both roles require similar credentials and work environments, and they are often used interchangeably in the industry. Understanding these distinctions can help job seekers find the right position aligned with their skills and career goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Production jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Food Production jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Food Production Associate jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Food Production Associate job openings:

Food Production Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Production Associate job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,976 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Food Production Associate - Armitage

Chicago, IL

Flexihire Talent
See more jobs at Flexihire Talentexternal

$17 - $19/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Flexihire Talent is recruiting on behalf of Harvest Loop for their Logan Square locations. We're partnering with Harvest Loop as their HR and recruitment team to help them find the right Store Manager to lead this next chapter.


Flexihire Talent is the sole point of contact for this role. Please do not contact Harvest Loop directly. All applications, questions, and updates go through our team.


In-Person Role - Hiring on Both Locations

Armitage: 2901 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL, USA 60647


Help with prep, packaged foods, and ready-to-heat meals. A love for cooking and a steady hand.

Prep the salads, sandwiches, sides, and grab-and-go items that fill our case every morning. Real food, made by hand, for the neighborhood.


Who You're Working With

At Harvest Loop, we believe a grocery store is not just a place to shop. It is the rhythm of the neighborhood, the small daily ritual that ties us to one another. We are building something bigger than aisles and checkout lines. Our dream is a modern neighborhood market that blends thoughtful curation, real hospitality, and operational excellence. A space that is efficient but human. Tech forward yet deeply personal. We are here to bring joy back to everyday essentials, and to redefine what it means to serve a local community through food, connection, and systems that actually work.


What you will do

  • Work the daily prep list (built by the kitchen lead).
  • Roast, chop, dress, portion, pack, label.
  • Keep the kitchen spotless and FIFO.
  • Follow recipes exactly. Suggest improvements once you know the system.
  • Help receive kitchen deliveries and log them in the staff portal.
  • What you will bring
  • 1+ year of restaurant, deli, or commissary kitchen experience.
  • ServSafe or Illinois Food Handler certified, or willing to get certified in your first 30 days.
  • Clean, fast, and consistent.
  • Comfort working from a tablet for recipes and prep lists.
  • High school diploma or equivalent (or currently working toward it).


What success looks like in 90 days

  • You can run the morning prep list start to finish without supervision and the case is full and beautiful by open.
  • Your station is consistently clean, FIFO, and labeled. Health inspectors would smile.
  • You have flagged at least one recipe or process tweak that the kitchen lead actually adopts.


Benefits

  • Chicago Paid Leave: 40 hours per year of paid leave for any reason (accrues 1 hour per 35 hours worked, usable after 90 days)
  • Chicago Paid Sick Leave: 40 hours per year of paid sick leave (accrues 1 hour per 35 hours worked, usable after 30 days)
  • Health insurance coming 2027
  • Owner-led training and a real path to promote from within
  • We cover ServSafe and Illinois Food Handler certification renewals
  • Employee referral bonus: $150 when your referred hire completes 90 days


How to Apply

This role is being filled exclusively by Flexihire Talent, Harvest Loop's HR and recruitment partner. Send your resume and a short note on your grocery or retail management experience, and our team will reach out if it's a fit.