Lab Director Jobs in Mankato, MN (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Operator

Job Description

The Operator sets up, runs, and maintains intake and vat machinery, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable production. This role combines hands-on mechanical and basic electrical work, routine cleaning and sanitizing, and continuous monitoring of equipment and product quality throughout each production run.

Responsibilities

• Manually set up intake and vat machines using hand tools according to work orders and production requirements.
• Operate machinery safely and efficiently, including starting, stopping, and adjusting equipment as needed.
• Monitor control screens and indicators to ensure machines operate correctly and respond promptly to any irregularities.
• Perform changeovers on machinery as needed to support different products or production runs.
• Test and troubleshoot mechanical and basic electrical issues that arise during operation, identifying root causes.
• Work closely with maintenance personnel to demonstrate issues and support the development of effective solutions.
• Independently fix minor mechanical and electrical issues without requiring maintenance support when appropriate.
• Read, interpret, and use work orders daily to follow production specifications and instructions.
• Perform daily cleaning and sanitizing of machines for product changeovers and at the end of shifts, following sanitation standards.
• Conduct quality checks on products throughout the production run and document findings as required.
• Maintain a safe and orderly work area and follow all safety, sanitation, and operational procedures.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of machine operation experience.
• Experience with light testing and troubleshooting of mechanical issues.
• Experience with light testing and troubleshooting of basic electrical issues.
• Ability to manually set up machinery using hand tools.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow work orders on a daily basis.
• Ability to monitor machine operation via screens and respond to issues quickly.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills for equipment issues.
• Attention to detail for performing and recording product quality checks.
• Commitment to cleaning and sanitizing equipment according to procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a production, manufacturing, or processing environment.
• Familiarity with operating intake and vat-type machinery or similar equipment.
• Comfort working closely with maintenance teams to diagnose equipment problems.
• Strong communication skills to report issues and collaborate with team members.
• Ability to work consistently in a cooler environment.

Why Work Here?

You join a team that values long-term employment and aims to bring candidates on as direct employees. You benefit from excellent medical and vision coverage, paid time off, and access to a 401K plan, supporting both your health and financial well-being. The environment promotes stability, skill development, and the opportunity to grow your experience with industrial machinery and production processes.

Work Environment

You work in a cooler production environment, with temperatures around 30 degrees in the winter and approximately 60 degrees in the summer. You operate and maintain intake and vat machinery and use hand tools for manual setups and adjustments. The role requires adherence to strict hygiene and safety standards, including wearing a hair net, lab coat, and beard net as needed. You can expect a hands-on, physically active environment focused on cleanliness, consistent machine operation, and product quality.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Le Sueur, MN.

The pay range for this position is $21.94 - $23.78/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Le Sueur,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 8, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.