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Production Associate Jobs in Kankakee, IL (NOW HIRING)

Voortman Steel Machinery

Production Planner

Monee, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Associate's degree in a technical discipline may be accepted with equivalent experience in manufacturing engineering or production support. 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing, mechanical ...

Voortman Steel Machinery

Production Manager

Monee, IL · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

The Production Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the daily operations of the ... Associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.

Stepan

Production Specialist

Elwood, IL · On-site

$86K - $116K/yr

Associate's or bachelor's degree preferred Pay Range: $86,000 - $116,000 The salary range for this ... products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has ...

Stepan

Production Specialist

Elwood, IL

$86K - $116K/yr

Associate's or bachelor's degree preferred Pay Range: $86,000 - $116,000 The salary range for this ... products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has ...

Stepan Company

Production Specialist

Elwood, IL

$86K - $116K/yr

Associate's or bachelor's degree preferred Pay Range: $86,000 - $116,000 The salary range for this ... products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has ...

Steak 'n Shake

Production

Bourbonnais, IL

$14.25 - $17.50/hr

Associate Emergency Foundation * Next Day Pay - receive up to 50% of your prior day's earned wages * Benefitsare subject to service and/or ACA eligibility requirements What You'llDo * Greet every ...

R J Van Drunen & Sons, Inc.

Production Worker

Momence, IL · On-site

$15.25 - $18.25/hr

Our Production Workers effectively and efficiently prepare food products in various environments, such as drying, freezing, dry processing, reboxing, sifting, grinding, and storage. During all the ...

R J Van Drunen & Sons, Inc.

Production Worker

Momence, IL

$15.25 - $18.25/hr

Our Production Workers effectively and efficiently prepare food products in various environments, such as drying, freezing, dry processing, reboxing, sifting, grinding, and storage. During all the ...

LG Seeds

Seasonal Production

Kankakee, IL · On-site

$17 - $23.75/hr

Experience in the day-to-day operations of seed production, conditioning, warehousing and shipping to develop understanding of the seed production business. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Assist with daily ...

AgReliant Genetics

Seasonal Production

Kankakee, IL · On-site

$17 - $23.75/hr

Experience in the day-to-day operations of seed production, conditioning, warehousing and shipping to develop understanding of the seed production business. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Assist with daily ...

Gotion, Inc.

Production Planner Specialist

Manteno, IL · On-site

Production Planner Location: Manteno, IL Department: Manufacturing Operations Work Arrangement: 100% On-Site What to Expect Gotion's Manufacturing Operations team is seeking a driven Production ...

Gotion, Inc.

Production Planner Specialist

Manteno, IL · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Production Planner Location: Manteno, IL Department: Manufacturing Operations Work Arrangement: 100% On-Site What to Expect Gotion's Manufacturing Operations team is seeking a driven Production ...

Gotion, Inc.

Production Planning Specialist

Manteno, IL · On-site

$16.50 - $22.25/hr

Create 0-1 production schedules that align with demand and capacity, ensuring efficient use of resources. * Analyze production capacity and demand to inform strategic decisions and roadmap planning.

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Production Associate information

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How much do production associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for production associate in Kankakee, IL is $16.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.85 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a production associate?

Production Associates are entry-level workers who assist in the manufacturing process within factories or production facilities. Their responsibilities typically include assembling products, operating machinery, monitoring production lines, and ensuring quality standards are met. They may also be responsible for packaging, labeling, and basic maintenance of equipment. Production Associates play a crucial role in maintaining efficient workflow and supporting higher-level technicians or supervisors. The role often requires attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to follow safety protocols.

What does a production associate do?

A production associate’s job duties depend on the industry in which they work. If you’re a manufacturing production associate, then your responsibilities include maintaining production equipment and assemblies, ensuring quality control, overseeing manufacturing personnel, ordering materials, monitoring packaging and shipping of the product, and handling clerical tasks like work orders and documentation. As a production associate in the film and TV industry, your duties include hiring and scheduling actors and technical staff, resolving technical challenges such as equipment failure, and maintaining relationships with suppliers and vendors.

What are some typical challenges production associates face when adjusting to fast-paced manufacturing environments?

Production Associates often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing production schedules, maintaining high attention to detail while working efficiently, and learning to operate various machinery safely. Additionally, they must quickly become familiar with strict quality standards and safety protocols. Collaborating effectively with team members and supervisors is essential to ensure smooth workflow and meet production targets.

What is the difference between Production Associate vs Manufacturing Technician?

AspectProduction AssociateManufacturing Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; technical certifications or vocational training often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, assembly lines, production floorsManufacturing plants, quality control labs, equipment maintenance areas
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, assembly, packaging industriesManufacturing, industrial production, equipment maintenance sectors
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level manufacturing rolesTechnical skills and equipment operation in manufacturing

The main difference between a Production Associate and a Manufacturing Technician lies in their responsibilities and skill requirements. Production Associates typically perform basic assembly and packaging tasks with minimal technical training, while Manufacturing Technicians handle equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and more technical duties. Both roles are essential in manufacturing environments, but Manufacturing Technicians usually require additional technical certifications or vocational training.

What is an entry-level production associate?

An entry-level production associate is a worker who performs basic tasks on a manufacturing or production line, often requiring minimal prior experience. They typically handle tasks such as assembling products, operating machinery, and maintaining a clean work environment, with opportunities to learn skills and advance within the company.
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Production Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Production Associate job openings in Kankakee, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,643 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Production Planner

Voortman Steel Machinery

Monee, IL • On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

What are you going to do?
In this role, you will be responsible for planning and coordinating production activities to ensure efficient operations and on-time delivery. You will create and manage production orders and projects with accurate Bills of Materials (BOM), aligning production plans with forecasts and sales demand. This includes preparing and distributing essential documentation such as schematics, drawings, NC data, and work instructions, as well as procuring materials and tooling to support assembly line requirements.
You will collaborate closely with production teams, team leaders, and cross-functional departments including purchasing, warehouse, and project teams to resolve technical and operational challenges. This role involves estimating labor hours, material costs, and resource needs, while ensuring alignment between production planning and procurement activities. You will also be responsible for generating and maintaining production BOMs and routings, updating technical documentation, and managing returned or defective materials to minimize waste.
Additionally, you will support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance processes, efficiency, and product quality. You will validate manufacturability, ensure adherence to production specifications, and maintain clear and timely communication with internal stakeholders, including global planning and project teams. This role also includes developing and maintaining production reports, dashboards, and analytics to support operational decision-making and drive overall performance improvements.
We ask
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical field is required.
  • Associate's degree in a technical discipline may be accepted with equivalent experience in manufacturing engineering or production support. 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing, mechanical design, or production engineering environment is preferred.
  • Experience working with ERP systems SAP and production planning tools such as Rob-Ex.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD programs as e.g. SolidEdge or E-Plan is an advantage.
We offer
  • Flextime policy
  • Paid Time Off (i.e., PTO) that can be used as it's accrued
  • Paid Holidays effective date of hire
  • Medical insurance (i.e., three plans available, PPO, HMO*, and PPO with HSA) effective date of hire
  • Dental care
  • Vision care
  • 100% Voortman USA LLC paid life insurance
  • Additional voluntary life insurance option
  • 100% Voortman USA LLC paid short-term disability
  • 50/50 premium split between Voortman USA LLC and employee for long-term disability (i.e., LTD)
  • 401K plan available with Company contribution

About Voortman
Join Voortman
As part of a global organization headquartered in the Netherlands with more than 750 employees worldwide, Voortman offers the opportunity to collaborate across international teams, gain exposure to global expertise, and build a career within a well-established and innovative leader in the steel processing industry.
Having recently moved into our new, state-of-the-art production facility and offices, Voortman is entering an exciting new phase of growth in the United States. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our presence across North America, enhancing our capabilities, and delivering even greater value to our customers. As we scale our operations, we are rapidly growing our team and actively seeking talented, driven individuals who are eager to contribute to a dynamic and forward-thinking organization. This is a unique opportunity to join Voortman at a pivotal moment and play a key role in shaping the future of our U.S. operations.
Be part of our next chapter. Grow with Voortman.

Apply