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Production Associate Jobs in Kinston, NC (NOW HIRING)

pca

Production Associate

Farmville, NC · On-site

$13.75 - $17.50/hr

Work as part of a team in support of a manufacturing operation with a goal of increasing productivity; decreasing downtime and waste. Assume active role in overall plant and facilities-related work.

Butterball

Production CUT UP Evening Shift

Mount Olive, NC · On-site

$13.50 - $17.25/hr

The Evisceration Associate performs tasks to clean and eviscerate (remove the organs of) recently slaughtered turkeys to prepare for secondary and further processing. Inspect the birds as they move ...

KFC

Food Production

New Bern, NC · On-site

$11/hr

Preparation of products. * Maintaining quality of product. * Monitoring all service equipment. * Uncompromising standards in maintaining a clean and safe work environment (per Labor Board and OSHA ...

Associated Materials, LLC

General Production

Kinston, NC

$14 - $16.75/hr

Working in our manufacturing plant, our Production Associates are vital to the success of our business. Your role will be to ensure our products maintain the highest level of quality our customers ...

Alside

General Production

Kinston, NC · On-site

$14 - $16.75/hr

Working in our manufacturing plant, our Production Associates are vital to the success of our business. Your role will be to ensure our products maintain the highest level of quality our customers ...

Career Site

General Production

Kinston, NC

$14 - $16.75/hr

Working in our manufacturing plant, our Production Associates are vital to the success of our business. Your role will be to ensure our products maintain the highest level of quality our customers ...

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How much do production associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for production associate in Kinston, NC is $15.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $17.07 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.
More about Production Associate jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Production jobs in Kinston, NC?

The most popular types of Production jobs in Kinston, NC are:

What job categories do people searching Production Associate jobs in Kinston, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Production Associate jobs in Kinston, NC are:

What cities near Kinston, NC are hiring for Production Associate jobs?

Cities near Kinston, NC with the most Production Associate job openings:

Production Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Production Associate job openings in Kinston, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,679 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Production Associate

Farmville, NC • On-site

Packaging Corporation of America
Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 122 rated packaging manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks

Learn more about Packaging Corporation of Americaexternal

$18.85/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers - large and small - package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.
People • Customers • Trust
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work as part of a team in support of a manufacturing operation with a goal of increasing productivity; decreasing downtime and waste.
Assume active role in overall plant and facilities-related work. Position requires assisting all jobs on the plant floor.
Follow all company safety rules and lock-out tag-out procedures.
Maintain shop and shop equipment per 5S Standards.
Other duties as assigned.
May be required to stack parts up to 30 lbs. for a period of up to 12 hours.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Graduate or GED.
Be passionate about maintaining a safe work environment.
Must be able to work EVERY shift, as well as overtime and weekends as needed.
Must have a good attendance record.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in a packaging or other manufacturing environment is preferred.
Possess an understanding that temperatures and volumes of work may vary.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Must be willing to work closely on a day-to-day basis with other production personnel.
Ability to share ideas with others to solve problems of essential importance.
Excellent communication skills.
Thrive in a cross-functional team environment.
Work with a sense of urgency to reduce downtime of machines.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Ability to work in a fast paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
  • Starting salary for position: $18.85 per hour.
  • Bonus: Annual - Based upon achievement of plant performance metrics.
  • Paid Vacation: 1 weeks per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
  • Paid Holidays.
  • Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision - and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
  • Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions
  • Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA's good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.

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