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Food Production Operative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Huhtamäki

Production Operative

Hammond, IN · On-site

$16.25 - $19.50/hr

Enjoy a career, packaged with care, whilst helping protect food, people and the planet We are a key ... Our people on the shop floor producing innovative, sustainable products. Our people in our offices ...

Creative Foods Inc

Food Production Operator

Hanahan, SC · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Position Summary Food Production Operators are responsible for producing acid and acidified sauces and drink mixes according to company formulas. This role includes accurately scaling ingredients ...

Kelly Services

Food Production Operator

Green Bay, WI

$22.50 - $23.75/hr

Machine Operator - Machine Operator - 2nd Shift Kettle Operator Pay: $22.50-$23.75 per hour ... Manufacturing or food production experience preferred * Bilingual Spanish a plus * Strong attention ...

Adecco

Food Production Operator

Mount Sterling, KY · On-site

$16.20 - $18.20/hr

Adecco is proud to partner with Nestlé, a global leader in the food industry, to recruit motivated Food Production Operators for their cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

HIKINEX

Food Production Operator

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

This is a great opportunity in a food manufacturing environment for individuals with cooking or food prep experience who are looking to grow their career in production. What You'll Do: * Mix and ...

Hikinex

Food Production Operator

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

This is a great opportunity in a food manufacturing environment for individuals with cooking or food prep experience who are looking to grow their career in production. What You'll Do: * Mix and ...

Adecco

Food Production Operator

Winchester, KY

$15 - $16/hr

If you have food production experience and are ready for your next opportunity, we want to hear from you! ✨ What We Offer: ✅ 1st & 2nd Shifts Available ✅ 12-Hour Shifts ✅ Pay Based on ...

Qualified Staffing

Food Production

De Pere, WI · On-site

$16/hr

The successful candidate will be involved in various aspects of food production, including preparing ingredients, operating machinery, packaging finished products, and maintaining a clean and ...

Qualified Staffing

Food Production

De Pere, WI

$16/hr

The successful candidate will be involved in various aspects of food production, including preparing ingredients, operating machinery, packaging finished products, and maintaining a clean and ...

Dee Jay's QSR Inc - KFC

Food Production

Yankton, SD · On-site

$14 - $16.50/hr

KFC Team Member (Food Production) Build a strong Foundation both professionally and personally with ... Operating of cash register as needed and making change for other cashiers. * Basic Math skills

Dee Jay's QSR Inc - KFC

Food Production

Lincoln, NE

$13 - $15.50/hr

KFC Team Member (Food Production) Build a strong Foundation both professionally and personally with ... Operating of cash register as needed and making change for other cashiers. * Basic Math skills

Dee Jay's QSR Inc - KFC

Food Production

Williston, ND

$14.75 - $17.50/hr

KFC Team Member (Food Production) Build a strong Foundation both professionally and personally with ... Operating of cash register as needed and making change for other cashiers. * Basic Math skills

Dee Jay's QSR Inc - KFC

Food Production

Sioux Falls, SD

$15 - $17.75/hr

KFC Team Member (Food Production) Build a strong Foundation both professionally and personally with ... Operating of cash register as needed and making change for other cashiers. * Basic Math skills

KFC

Food Production

El Cajon, CA

$15 - $17.75/hr

As a Food Production Team Member , you're at the heart of our brand, delivering fast, fresh, and ... Handling cash, making change, and operating the register * Preparing KFC's iconic menu items fresh ...

Dee Jay's QSR Inc - KFC

Food Production

Dickinson, ND · On-site

$14.25 - $16.75/hr

KFC Team Member (Food Production) Build a strong Foundation both professionally and personally with ... Operating of cash register as needed and making change for other cashiers. * Basic Math skills

KFC

Food Production

Imperial Beach, CA

$15.75 - $18.50/hr

As a Food Production Team Member , you're at the heart of our brand, delivering fast, fresh, and ... Handling cash, making change, and operating the register * Preparing KFC's iconic menu items fresh ...

KFC

Food Production

Lakeside, CA · On-site

$15.25 - $18.25/hr

As a Food Production Team Member , you're at the heart of our brand, delivering fast, fresh, and ... Handling cash, making change, and operating the register * Preparing KFC's iconic menu items fresh ...

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Food Production Operative information

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$19

How much do food production operative jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for food production operative in the United States is $15.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.74 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food production operative?

Food production operatives are workers involved in the preparation, processing, packaging, and quality control of food products within factories or production plants. They operate machinery, follow strict hygiene and safety standards, and ensure products meet quality specifications. This role is essential for maintaining a steady supply of safe and high-quality food items to retailers and consumers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a food production operative?

To thrive as a Food Production Operative, you need a good understanding of food safety standards, basic food handling skills, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with industrial kitchen equipment, HACCP guidelines, and sometimes food hygiene certifications are typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and reliability are important soft skills that help ensure efficiency and safety in the workplace. These competencies are crucial for maintaining product quality, meeting production targets, and adhering to strict health regulations.

What challenges do food production operatives face and how can they be overcome?

Food Production Operatives often face challenges such as maintaining strict hygiene standards, working efficiently during high-volume production periods, and adapting to repetitive tasks. Overcoming these challenges involves following established safety and cleanliness protocols, developing good time-management skills, and staying attentive to detail to ensure product quality. Teamwork is also essential, as operatives frequently collaborate with colleagues from different stages of the production line to keep processes running smoothly.

What is the difference between Food Production Operative vs Food Packing Operative?

AspectFood Production OperativeFood Packing Operative
ResponsibilitiesPreparing, processing, and manufacturing food products on production linesPackaging, labeling, and preparing food products for shipment
Required SkillsBasic food safety knowledge, manual dexterity, teamworkAttention to detail, manual handling, adherence to packaging standards
Work EnvironmentFactory or production line setting, often noisy and fast-pacedPackaging area, often close to production lines, similar environment
CertificationsFood safety training (e.g., HACCP), health & safetyFood safety awareness, health & safety

While both roles operate within food manufacturing, the Food Production Operative focuses on processing and manufacturing food items, whereas the Food Packing Operative specializes in packaging and preparing products for distribution. Both roles require food safety knowledge and are essential in the food industry supply chain.

More about Food Production Operative jobs

What job categories do people searching Food Production Operative jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Production Operative jobs are:

Food Production Operative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Production Operative job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, and 31% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,967 per year, or $15.4 per hour.

Production Operative

Huhtamäki

Hammond, IN • On-site

$16.25 - $19.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Enjoy a career, packaged with care, whilst helping protect food, people and the planet

We are a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions. We're on a mission to make all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. Every day, we ensure the hygiene and safety of food and drink for people around the world. We are Huhtamaki.

You could be part of our vision. Because it's our talented people that make it happen. Our people on the shop floor producing innovative, sustainable products. Our people in our offices delivering excellence for our customers every day. It's every one of us working together.

We offer a place where you can feel safe, be supported, and make an impact so we can all focus on the future together.

Essential Functions

  • Always maintain a clean and safe working environment.
  • Ensure that actions and the operation of relevant machinery are carried out to required safety standards considering the health and safety of themselves and others.
  • Produce product to specified quality standards.
  • Produce product to specified volumes.
  • Adhere to appropriate production processes as outlined in the operations manual (or as directed by the Production Supervisor).
  • Monitor and record appropriate data using company software/databases.
  • Undertake operator preventative maintenance operations as outlined in the operations manual/PM Schedule (or as directed by the Production Supervisor).
  • Set up and clean machinery as appropriate.
  • Actively participate in behavioral safety activities and identify and reporting near misses.
  • Actively participate in the Quality program ensuring the highest possible quality standards are always maintained
  • Safely and effectively carry out product changeovers as per production schedule.
  • Always ensure the effective/efficient running of machinery and processes.
  • Carry out adjustments to the machinery/process as out lined in the operations manual (or as directed by the Production Supervisor).
  • Report any other relevant details to the Production Supervisor.
  • Interact with colleagues and Production Supervisor as appropriate to the needs of the job.
  • Carry out any additional duties as directed by the Production Supervisor.

Education and Experience

  • High School Diploma/GED.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude is highly desirable.
  • Strong problem solving/trouble shooting skills.
  • Printing experience preferred and recommended.

Environment

Audiovisual capabilities of speech, vision and hearing required, including peripheral vision and color discrimination capabilities.

Join us. Help protect food, people and the planet.

Apply