Machine Operator Associate Jobs in Lodi, CA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Food Production Machine Operator

Job Description

The Food Production Machine Operator plays a key role in operating and monitoring equipment used to produce and package baked goods in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Working closely with bakery production associates and reporting to the Operations Supervisor, this position ensures that products meet all specifications for weights, settings, speeds, labels, ingredients, and packaging. The operator follows established safety, food safety, and quality procedures while identifying and resolving issues that could affect product quality or production efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and adjust production and packaging equipment to maintain consistent product flow and quality.
• Set up and run assigned machines according to product specifications, including weights, speeds, settings, labels, and packaging requirements.
• Follow all safety, GMP, and quality policies and procedures at all times.
• Perform routine quality checks on finished products to verify weights, labeling accuracy, packaging integrity, and overall appearance.
• Troubleshoot minor machine issues, make basic adjustments, and escalate complex mechanical concerns to appropriate personnel.
• Complete production logs, batch documentation, and other required records accurately and in a timely manner.
• Support changeovers between products by assisting with machine set up, calibration, and cleaning.
• Assist with material handling, including loading ingredients or packaging materials onto lines and moving product as needed.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas during and after production runs, following sanitation and housekeeping standards.
• Perform routine safety checks on equipment and work areas and actively promote a safe work environment.
• Follow FIFO practices and other inventory handling procedures when working with ingredients and packaging materials.
• Support preventative maintenance procedures by reporting equipment issues and assisting as directed.
• Work effectively with supervisors and team members to resolve production challenges and meet daily output goals.
• Participate in cross-training to learn multiple machines and production processes and provide support across different lines as needed.
• Adhere to food safety standards, including GMP, HACCP, and sanitation protocols throughout all production activities.
• Work with conveyor systems, mixers, fillers, ovens, and packaging equipment as assigned to maintain smooth line operations.

Essential Skills

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 1 year of production or manufacturing experience preferred, ideally in a similar environment.
• Experience operating machinery in a production or manufacturing setting.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to perform minor troubleshooting on equipment.
• Ability to read and follow SOPs, production orders, and product specifications accurately.
• Familiarity with GMP, food safety, or sanitation practices (preferred).
• Strong attention to detail and focus on product quality and consistency.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a team environment.
• Ability to stand for 10–12 hours per shift.
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds consistently.
• Ability to perform repetitive movements such as bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Comfort working in varying temperature conditions, including hot and cooler areas.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment with continuous machine operation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in food manufacturing, bakery, or beverage production environments preferred.
• Experience working in production environments involving chemicals, batching, or blending processes is a plus.
• Familiarity with food safety standards such as GMP and HACCP and adherence to sanitation protocols.
• Experience operating or assisting with production equipment such as mixers, ovens, fillers, conveyor systems, or packaging machines.
• Exposure to high-volume, fast-paced production settings with strict quality and documentation standards.
• Experience with material handling, batching, or ingredient preparation.
• Basic understanding of preventative maintenance procedures, changeovers, machine set up, and calibration.
• Ability to follow PPE requirements and work in regulated environments with strict compliance standards.
• Experience with quality assurance practices, production logs, and batch documentation.
• Understanding of FIFO principles and their application in a production setting.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and reliability in a production environment.
• Willingness to cross-train and learn multiple machines and production processes.
• Comfort participating in a structured hiring process that may include phone screening, onsite interviews, and a facility walkthrough to understand the production environment and job duties.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a competitive benefits package and a stable, long-term opportunity with a company that emphasizes retention and growth. The organization offers clear paths to advance into higher-level operator roles through training and development, along with consistent scheduling and opportunities for overtime. Team members work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment that prioritizes safety and quality, while gaining valuable hands-on manufacturing experience in a well-established food production setting.

Work Environment

This role is based in a fast-paced food manufacturing facility producing baked goods such as donuts, pastries, and muffins. The work takes place on production lines with continuous machine operation and requires close collaboration with team members to meet daily output goals. The environment can be hot and loud due to ovens and machinery, and there are strong bakery-related odors throughout the production floor. Some areas may include cooler or refrigerated environments depending on the production process. Employees must follow strict GMP and food safety standards and wear appropriate PPE, including hairnets, gloves, non-slip footwear, and a red hard hat at all times. Cleanliness and sanitation are critical, and employees are expected to maintain an organized, hygienic workspace throughout each shift while working on and around mixers, conveyor systems, packaging equipment, and other production machinery

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $21.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sacramento,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.

About Aerotek

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 meets 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 solving for 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.

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.