Manufacturing Production Associate Jobs in Portland, TN

Location: Gallatin, TN 37066
Starting Pay: 20.75
Job Type: Full-time, long term contract

The Production Associate supports the safe, efficient, and quality-focused production of food products. This position works as part of a team to meet daily production goals while following Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety procedures, sanitation requirements, and company policies. Associates help ensure products are prepared, packaged, labeled, and palletized according to customer specifications.

• Perform production and packaging duties across multiple manufacturing lines, including traying, molding, counting, packing, mixing support, and material handling.

• Follow standard operating procedures, visual work instructions, GMPs, HACCP principles, and food safety requirements.

• Assist with operating molding, forming, conveying, weighing, palletizing, box erecting, and box taping equipment.

• Make minor equipment adjustments and complete basic troubleshooting within the scope of training and authorization.

• Package products according to established specifications, including accurate counts, proper seals, labels, cases, and pallet patterns.

• Perform product inspections, rework, recasing, and repackaging as assigned; promptly communicate quality concerns to the Shift Lead or Supervisor.

• Complete production, quality, safety, and sanitation documentation accurately and on time using required forms, tablets, or computer systems.

• Safely move ingredients, packaging supplies, work-in-process materials, and finished goods with manual or electric pallet jacks after required training.

• Keep work areas organized and support cleaning, sanitation, changeovers, inspections, audits, and continuous-improvement activities.

• Communicate clearly with team members and leadership about safety, quality, production, equipment, and operational concerns.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Shift Lead or Supervisor.

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Previous experience in food manufacturing, production, packaging, warehouse, logistics, or another industrial setting is preferred but not required.

• Ability to learn and perform multiple production, packaging, sanitation, and material-handling functions.

• Basic computer, tablet, and data-entry skills.

• Ability to read and follow written procedures, visual instructions, safety policies, and operating instructions.

• Strong attention to detail for counts, inspections, product verification, labeling, and documentation.

• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers and work independently or as part of a team.

• Basic troubleshooting and problem-solving skills; willingness to cross-train and support operational excellence initiatives.

• Understanding of GMPs, HACCP principles, food safety, and workplace safety is preferred.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position and move about the production area throughout a scheduled shift.

• Must be able to position self to bend, reach, stoop, kneel, and perform repetitive motions while completing production and packaging tasks.

• Must be able to operate, activate, use, inspect, and place materials around production equipment and packaging systems.

• Must be able to move, transport, push, and pull materials and finished goods weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Must be able to detect product, packaging, labeling, and equipment conditions that do not meet specifications and communicate accurate information to leadership.

• Must be able to exchange accurate information with supervisors and team members regarding safety, quality, production, and operational issues.

• Must be able to safely operate manual and electric pallet jacks after training and authorization.

• Work primarily indoors in a food manufacturing facility; workspaces may not be temperature-controlled and may include hot and cold conditions.

• Work near others and frequently share the same production workspace.

• May be exposed to elevated noise levels and machinery that may be distracting or uncomfortable; required PPE, including hearing protection, must be worn.

• Work around moving machinery, production equipment, food ingredients, allergens, spices, packaging materials, and approved cleaning or sanitation chemicals.

• May occasionally work in bright or dim lighting and position self in confined or awkward areas to reach equipment or materials.

• Required PPE may include hearing protection, gloves, hair restraints, safety footwear, eye protection, or other protective equipment designated by the facility.

• Monday through Friday, 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM, based on the scheduled 5/40 workweek.

• Full-time schedule with overtime, weekends, holidays, or schedule changes available or required as business needs dictate.

• Medical, Dental & Vision

• Prescription Drug Discounts

• Short-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, & Life Insurance

• 401k/Roth options

• PTO, including vacation and sick time, according to applicable client policy

• Holiday eligibility and pay according to applicable client policy

• Referral Program

To the extent permitted by law, passing consumer (drug screening and/or background check) report inquiries may be necessary for employment purposes.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrate our employees’ differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classes. Must be eligible to work in the United States for any company without sponsorship. By entering my mobile number and submitting this application, I give my express written consent to receive text messages from, or on behalf of, I.K. HOFMANN USA, Inc. at the mobile telephone number provided for employment-related communications, notices, and updates, including via an automatic telephone dialing system. Consent is not required. Standard message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out. For California residents, please see our Employee & Applicant Notice at Collection & Privacy Policy for additional California-specific information here

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