1

Production Operator Jobs in Vanderbilt, MI (NOW HIRING)

Production Supervisor

Kalkaska, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Production Management: Coordinate all work cell activities from post-order entry through ... Implement and refine standard operating procedures to drive consistency and quality. Utilize ITW ...

Industrial Equipment Operator

Petoskey, MI

$18.50 - $25.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Opportunity Are you a skilled equipment operator with a strong aptitude for multitasking? If ... Welcome to Manthei Wood Products. We are an energetic, results-oriented, fun-loving, collaborative ...

Line Operator

Petoskey, MI

$16.50 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're honored to have roots in Texas, Tennessee, and Indiana as our production has expanded over ... Line Operator Responsibilities Safety: * Work safely while adhering to established safety ...

Line Operator

Petoskey, MI

$16.50 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're honored to have roots in Texas, Tennessee, and Indiana as our production has expanded over ... Line Operator Responsibilities Safety: * Work safely while adhering to established safety ...

Operator has to be capable of standing and using both hands to run a machine for a minimum of 8 ... Production Floor environment * Must wear proper personal protection equipment while on ...

Operator has to be capable of standing and using both hands to run a machine for a minimum of 8 ... Production Floor environment * Must wear proper personal protection equipment while on ...

Production Laborer

Charlevoix, MI · On-site

$15.75 - $18.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

The Position In this Production Laborer position, you will be operating machinery and performing tasks in a manufacturing setting in order to safely craft concrete products. These products serve to ...

Production Laborer

Charlevoix, MI · On-site

$15.75 - $18.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

The Position In this Production Laborer position, you will be operating machinery and performing tasks in a manufacturing setting in order to safely craft concrete products. These products serve to ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Production Operator information

See Vanderbilt, MI salary details

$10

$16

$21

How much do production operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for production operator in Vanderbilt, MI is $16.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.57 and $17.64 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by production operators, and how can they be managed effectively?

Production Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining high levels of efficiency during repetitive tasks, troubleshooting machinery issues, and ensuring strict adherence to safety and quality standards. Managing these challenges involves staying vigilant, following standard operating procedures, and participating in regular training sessions. Team collaboration is also key, as operators frequently communicate with supervisors and maintenance staff to resolve issues promptly and minimize production downtime.

What is the difference between Production Operator vs Machine Operator?

AspectProduction OperatorMachine Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma, technical certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, assembly linesFactories, production lines, machinery-focused settings
Job FocusOverseeing production processes, quality checksOperating and maintaining specific machinery
Common UsageGeneral manufacturing, assembly, packagingHeavy machinery, equipment operation

While both roles work within manufacturing environments, a Production Operator oversees entire production processes and quality, whereas a Machine Operator specializes in operating specific machinery. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What is a production operator?

As a production operator, your main responsibilities are to work on an assembly line and to maintain the machine that performs a specialized task at your workstation. Your job duties involve working with metal, plastic, or other consumer goods materials. You need a solid understanding of industry standards and safety protocols, and the patience to perform repetitive tasks throughout your shifts. One of the qualifications for a career as a production operator is a high school diploma or GED certificate. Your employer will provide on-the-job training. Detail-oriented skills are essential for production operator jobs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a production operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Production Operator, you need a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, attention to detail, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with operating machinery, basic computer systems, and safety protocols is typically required, and certifications such as OSHA may be beneficial. Reliability, teamwork, and effective communication are valued soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities help ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production output in a manufacturing environment.

What cities near Vanderbilt, MI are hiring for Production Operator jobs?

Cities near Vanderbilt, MI with the most Production Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Production Operator job openings in Vanderbilt, MI as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,268 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

$15.25 - $18.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Mayville Engineering Company rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

SUMMARY
Set-up, check, adjust, and operate production machines where tooling, set-up detail, and operating procedures are standardized and obvious. Generally, close-tolerance work where dimensional and finish requirements are not difficult to maintain. Work is usually repetitive and subject to in-process inspection. Requires a fundamental knowledge of machine shop operations as acquired by short-duration job training and experience.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Selects and aligns tooling in machines according to specifications.
• Positions work pieces again fixtures or stops in machine.
• Starts machine and observes operation to detect misalignment or malfunction.
• Regulates air and oil pressure, as needed.
• Inspects work pieces for conformance to specifications and adjusts machine to correct errors.
• Cleans and lubricates machines.
COMPETENCIES
All MEC employee-owners are expected to demonstrate the following:
Safety and Security - Observe safety and security procedures; report potentially unsafe conditions; use equipment and materials properly.
Dependability - Consistently at work and on time. Follow instructions and policies, respond to management directions; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commit to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; complete tasks on time or notifies Supervisor of any problems so they can be addressed immediately.
Quality Work - Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors own work to ensure quality.
Productivity - Meet productivity standards; complete work in timely manner; strive to increase productivity; work quickly. Share cost saving ideas; conserve organizational resources
Teamwork - Exhibit openness to others' views; give and welcome feedback; focus on solving conflict, not blaming; maintain confidentiality; keep emotions under control. Put success of team above own interests; support everyone's efforts to succeed; remain open to others' ideas and tries new things. Asks for and offers help when needed.
Adaptability - Adapt to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Professionalism - Treat people with respect; keep commitments; inspire the trust of others; work with integrity and ethically.
Technical Skills - Assess own strengths and weaknesses; pursue training and development opportunities; strive to continuously build knowledge and skills; share expertise with others.
Cooperation - Act and behave in a manner that promotes positive morale; gets along with co-workers and supervision consistently.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Educations and/or Experience - High school diploma or general education degree (GED); one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent of education and experience.
Language Skills -- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals written in English. Ability to write routing reports and correspondence in English. Ability to speak effectively in English before groups.
Mathematical Skills -- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to understand and convert to metric. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Reasoning - Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Other - Ability to read blueprints and familiarity with inspection equipment, such as Vernier calipers, micrometers, air gauges, dial indicators, edge finders, etc. is preferred, but not required. Ability to work on multiple tasks at one time. Knowledge of computers. Skilled in the use of hand tools.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

What Mayville Engineering Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom