Pilot Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pilot Plant Worker supports manufacturing operations in a clean-room pilot plant that produces dog and cat food and treats. This role focuses on sanitation, material handling, basic machine support, and simple lab sampling activities to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

Responsibilities

• Support daily pilot plant manufacturing operations for pet food and treat production.
• Perform extensive cleaning and sanitizing of floors, machines, walls, components, and equipment to maintain a clean-room environment.
• Assist advanced compounder operators with the setup, operation, and changeover of production equipment.
• Mix cleaning solutions according to established procedures and use them to sanitize machines between production runs.
• Handle and stage raw materials and ingredients such as whey, protein, corn, flour, liver, chicken, and beef scrap.
• Weigh materials accurately and record sample data in accordance with production and quality requirements.
• Receive dry ingredient materials in the designated area and enter receiving information into the computer system.
• Assist with basic machine operation and monitoring to support production and blending activities.
• Help operate mixers and blenders for production runs under the direction of experienced operators.
• Perform sanitation tasks on production and packaging equipment to support food safety and quality standards.
• Assist with warehouse activities, including moving, organizing, and storing incoming materials.
• Transport product and ingredient samples between the pilot plant and the analytical lab area as needed.
• Follow all safety, quality, and sanitation procedures and report any issues or irregularities promptly.
• Participate in on-the-job training, including forklift training, to move incoming pallets and materials safely.

• Previous experience in manufacturing and/or sanitation.
• Ability to perform repetitive cleaning and sanitizing tasks in a production environment.
• Basic understanding of production, manufacturing, and warehouse operations.
• Capability to handle raw animal products such as livers, chicken, and beef scrap.
• Comfort working around strong food-related odors during production runs.
• Basic computer skills to record receiving information and sample data.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Attention to detail when weighing materials and recording data.
• Willingness to work in cold environments such as freezers on occasion.

• Experience with mixing and blending operations in a production or food environment.
• Background as a mixer operator, blending operator, or machine operator.
• Familiarity with dry ingredient handling and weighing materials.
• Experience in warehouse receiving and material handling.
• Prior sanitation experience in a food, beverage, or clean-room facility.
• Interest in obtaining forklift training to move incoming pallets and materials.
• Strong focus on quality and adherence to sanitation standards.

The role is based in a clean pilot plant manufacturing facility that produces dog and cat food and treats. The environment combines clean-room conditions with typical manufacturing activities, requiring frequent cleaning and sanitizing of floors, equipment, walls, and other surfaces. During production runs, there is a strong pet food smell throughout the area. The position involves handling raw animal products, including livers, chicken, and beef scrap, and occasionally working in a freezer environment; warm jackets and gear are provided when working in cold areas. The facility uses production mixers, blenders, and other processing equipment, as well as computers for recording data and receiving materials. Forklifts may be used to move incoming pallets once training is completed. The work is hands-on and physically active, with a strong emphasis on cleanliness, safety, and food quality.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Thompson's Station, TN.

The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $18.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Thompson's Station,TN.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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