Overnight Pasteurization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Production Associate
Job Description

The Production Associate plays a key role in producing brie, goat, and feta cheeses by operating and assisting with all stages of manufacturing, packaging, cleanup, and sanitation. This role works with a variety of production equipment, follows established procedures and safety standards, and supports consistent, high-quality cheese production. The position offers a structured, skills-based progression with clear levels of responsibility and opportunities to advance based on performance and attendance.

Responsibilities

• Perform all basic production line operations in the assigned department, including soft-ripened cheese, feta, or goat cheese production areas.
• Clean and sanitize production equipment and work areas before and after production to maintain food safety and quality standards.
• Place empty forms and funnels on conveyors to prepare for filling and production runs.
• Level cheese in forms after dipping to ensure consistent product quality and appearance.
• Load, push, and pull cheese stacks using hand carts and trolleys to move product through different stages of production.
• Operate tunnel washers, including loading and unloading trays and forms, to ensure proper cleaning of production tools and equipment.
• Use touchscreen interfaces to change stack and form sizes and to swap tooling according to production requirements.
• Hand-turn cheese in curing and drying rooms as needed to support proper aging and product consistency.
• Move loads safely using pallet jacks and cheese carts, including occasionally pushing or pulling loads up to 1,000 lbs. with a pallet jack.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and all safety policies at all times to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• At advanced levels, set up, operate, diagnose, lubricate, and fix faults on multiple machines, including SRC/Feta production lines, pasteurizers, and bag fillers.
• Perform all functions of an Operator Level 1 and, as skills grow, most functions of Operator Level 2 in assigned production areas.
• Support sanitation, pasteurization, dry salting, and bag filling operations as skill level increases.
• Participate in regular performance and skills evaluations, typically every six months, which influence level advancement and responsibilities.
• Work independently while following established procedures and production schedules to meet quality and efficiency targets.

Essential Skills

• Ability to speak, read, write, and comprehend English to follow instructions, safety guidelines, and production documentation.
• Ability to work independently while consistently and safely following procedures and company policies.
• Willingness and ability to perform physical tasks, including standing continuously, stooping and bending frequently, squatting occasionally, and climbing stairs or ladders frequently.
• Capability to reach at chest level, above, and below continuously during the shift.
• Ability to push and pull loads up to 1,000 lbs. occasionally using a pallet jack.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 70 lbs. frequently throughout the shift.
• Comfort working in a heated environment around 82 degrees and in areas with hot or cold climate exposure.
• Basic production, general labor, or packaging skills, with the ability to learn specific cheese production processes.
• Entry-level candidates are welcome; prior manufacturing or food production experience is a plus.
• Ability to safely operate pallet jacks, hand carts, and other basic material handling equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing or food production is advantageous but not required.
• Mechanical aptitude to learn how to set up, operate, diagnose, lubricate, and fix faults on production machines as skills progress.
• Willingness to participate in a structured level system (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) with advancement based on skills, attendance, performance, and coaching history.
• Ability to adapt to working with various types of cheese production, including soft-ripened cheese, feta, goat cheese, and crème de brie.
• Comfort working around cleaning chemicals, noise, vibration, and wet or humid conditions.
• Reliable attendance and a strong work ethic to support consistent production operations.

Why Work Here?

You join a stable, growth-oriented production environment that rewards skill development and reliability. From day one, you receive comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, short-term disability, a 401(k) with employer match, and paid vacation and holidays. A sign-on bonus and a perfect attendance program recognize your commitment, while shift differentials enhance earnings for overnight work. The structured level system provides clear pathways to advance your skills and responsibilities, offering long-term development and the opportunity to grow your career in a supportive, team-based setting.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing facility focused on cheese production, operating primarily on a third shift from approximately 9:45 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., with a shift differential for overnight hours. The environment includes periods of busy seasonal demand, particularly from September through December. You work around production lines, pasteurizers, bag fillers, tunnel washers, and other specialized equipment in conditions that frequently involve hot or cold climates, exposure to chemicals, noise, vibration, and wet or humid areas. The production floor is active and fast-paced, requiring continuous standing and regular movement throughout the shift. Work areas are temperature-controlled for product quality, with some zones around 82 degrees, and you use standard personal protective equipment as needed to maintain safety and sanitation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lena, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $19.00/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 Lena,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 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.