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Tray Loader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Know what color tray to load into washer for the product to be ran (ask loaders). * Know where broken trays are placed at tray washer and where to take broken trays at end of the shift. * Know where ...

Room Service Coordinator

Mattoon, IL ยท On-site

$16.94/hr

... load balance., Supervises departmental operations in absence of the Food Service Supervisor or Director., Verifies whether there are "linked tray" that must accompany another tray on the line prior ...

$16.94/hr

... load balance., Supervises departmental operations in absence of the Food Service Supervisor or Director., Verifies whether there are "linked tray" that must accompany another tray on the line prior ...

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Tray Loader information

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$11

$19

$28

How much do tray loader jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for tray loader in the United States is $19.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Tray Loader, you need strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to follow safety and quality standards, often with a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with conveyor systems, basic packaging machinery, and sometimes barcode scanners is typical in this role. Good communication, reliability, and the ability to work efficiently in a team are valued soft skills. These abilities ensure accurate, safe, and efficient handling of products, which is crucial for maintaining productivity and quality in manufacturing or distribution environments.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Some high-paying jobs for tray loaders or similar roles in manufacturing and logistics can reach $2000 a day, especially with overtime, specialized skills, or supervisory responsibilities. Typically, these roles require experience, technical knowledge, and sometimes certifications, and they are often found in industries like warehousing, distribution, or production facilities with high demand for skilled labor.

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

Tray Loaders often work in fast-paced production or food processing environments where maintaining accuracy and speed is essential. A common challenge is managing repetitive tasks while ensuring that trays are loaded correctly and meet quality standards. To effectively manage these challenges, it is important to stay organized, follow safety protocols, and communicate any issues promptly with team members or supervisors. Regular breaks and proper ergonomic practices can also help reduce fatigue and maintain productivity throughout the shift.

What jobs make $1000 per hour?

Jobs that can pay $1000 per hour are typically highly specialized roles such as top-tier surgeons, experienced anesthesiologists, corporate lawyers, or successful consultants with significant expertise. These positions often require advanced education, certifications, and extensive experience, and they may involve high-pressure environments or private practice settings.

What is the difference between Tray Loader vs Forklift Operator?

AspectTray LoaderForklift Operator
CredentialsTypically requires on-the-job training or basic certificationRequires forklift certification/license
Work EnvironmentAssembly lines, packaging areasWarehouses, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageManufacturing, packaging, food processingLogistics, warehousing, manufacturing
Job TasksLoading trays onto machines or conveyorsMoving pallets and materials with a forklift

While both Tray Loaders and Forklift Operators work in industrial settings, Tray Loaders focus on loading trays onto equipment or conveyors, often requiring minimal certification. Forklift Operators handle the movement of heavy materials using forklifts, requiring specific licensing. Both roles are essential in manufacturing and warehousing industries but differ in equipment and certification requirements.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A tray loader is typically an entry-level manufacturing or warehouse position that does not usually pay $10,000 a month. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree often include specialized roles such as sales managers, real estate brokers, or skilled trades like electricians or commercial pilots, which require experience, certifications, or licenses rather than a traditional degree.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

A Tray Loader typically does not earn $300,000 annually, as this salary level is uncommon for entry-level or manufacturing roles. High-paying jobs reaching this level usually include executive positions, specialized medical professionals, or senior roles in finance and technology that require advanced skills, certifications, and experience. Salary expectations vary widely based on industry, location, and experience.

What are tray loaders?

Tray loaders are workers or automated machines responsible for placing products onto trays for packaging, transport, or further processing in manufacturing or food production environments. Their job typically involves organizing items efficiently on trays, ensuring quality standards are met, and sometimes operating or maintaining tray loading equipment. Tray loaders play a crucial role in maintaining workflow efficiency and upholding hygiene and safety standards where applicable.
More about Tray Loader jobs
Infographic showing various Tray Loader job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,188 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Production Utility

Production Utility

Klosterman Baking Co

Henryville, IN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description


OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION: Production Associates will operate all equipment and produce all finished products to comply with all laws, policies and standards governing food safety and quality. Production Associates are obligated to report all food safety and quality issues that may occur.

SUMMARY: Must be able to work in a โ€œTeam Environmentโ€. Responsible for inspecting product for uniformity and quality prior to packaging. For breaking down stacks of empty trays to be sorted by color, bakery names (stamped on trays) and sorting out trays that have been broken from use. Responsible for feeding trays into a tray washer and pulling stacked product out of stacking machines to be placed into product staging lanes. Also, setting and pulling metal pans from production line at start-up, shutdown, and product changeovers. Other responsibilities including making sure product codes on packages are legible. Discarding scrap dough and buns into compactor and keeping work area clean and orderly. And any other duties assigned by supervision. Duties are rotated as instructed by supervision. Attend regularly and on time a five- or six-day workweek including weekends, holidays, and possible split days off. Schedule 8 hours or more per day.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Inspection of product for uniformity and quality prior to packaging
  • Sorting Trays โ€“ by color, other suppliers, broken.
  • Feeding trays to tray washer
  • Operating Pan Stacker/Un-stacker as needed.
  • Aiding in product changeovers
  • Discarding scrap / waste disposal / mopping excess water
  • Must maintain an organized, clean and sanitary working area.
  • Communicating with others. i.e. operators, utility personnel, supervisors
    1. Pre-Wrap Product Inspection: Requires bending, lifting and stretching over 4โ€™ conveyor. (Hands must be clean, sanitary and in gloves!)
      1. Stand at inspection station and wrapping machines and using both hands, remove inferior product that does not meet KBI standards.
      2. Placing inferior product into waste containers to be weighed for a cripple/damaged count.
      3. Responsible for reporting quality issues and machine problems to supervision or wrapping operator immediately.
      4. Using both hands, keeping product lanes even for smooth operation of wrapping machine and keeping product lanes free of โ€œbun jamsโ€.
      5. Know how to switch โ€œsplit product conveyorโ€ between east and west wrappers.
      6. Know how to operate all switches and buttons on inspecting station control panel: assist button, master stop button, accumulator speed dial, in feed speed dial, manual/automatic switch bun grouper section and north/south slicer on buttons.
      7. Be able to react quickly if wrapping machine quits running and know what actions to take.
      8. Know how to safely un-jam wrapper at basket loader.
      9. Keep area clean and orderly and know where to find cleaning supplies. Remember to wear safety goggles when using compressed air.
    2. Tray washer: Overhead stretching, stooping, and bending required.
      1. Be able to safely break down stacks of empty trays up to 7โ€™8โ€ high.
      2. Sort trays by color, bakery name (stamped on trays) and sort out broken trays.
      3. Know what color tray to load into washer for the product to be ran (ask loaders).
      4. Know where broken trays are placed at tray washer and where to take broken trays at end of the shift.
      5. Know where to store trays getting returned to the bakery that are heavily soiled. These trays need to be removed from the tray washer line and set aside for Sanitation.
      6. Using tray washer start button, load trays into tray washer properly and keep conveyor line full of trays.
      7. Occasionally, empty trays coming back from stores will have items that need to be returned to McDonalds. Know where to place these items.
      8. Know where assist button is located to notify wrapper operator of any problems.
      9. Carefully and safely be able to un-jam tray kick-plates that feed the east and west bun wrappers with empty trays.
      10. If both wrappers go down or quit running, know how to catch product properly at product run-off area.
      11. Emergency stop button locations.
      12. Learn โ€œTray washer Control Panel.โ€
      13. Keep tray washer tank skimmed of dirt, etc. to ensure proper tray cleanliness. Caution: tray washer water is between 160-175 degrees!!
      14. Know how to drain, clean, and fill tray washer tank.
      15. Keep area clean and orderly.
    3. Wrapped Product Inspection: Requires bending, lifting, stooping and stretching.
      1. Visually inspect full trays of wrapped product for quality, correct bun count, and legible code printed on top of each package. And frequently pulling full trays off of line and checking packages for a good seal.
      2. Must know and understand the codes that are printed on packages.
      3. Assist in running off product if wrappers stop running.
      4. Know how to โ€œRe-Wrapโ€ product that does not meet KBI quality standards by using plastic tray sheets to flip packages over and repair from the bottom of package.
      5. Be able to โ€œStack-Offโ€ full trays if stackers go down or stop running.
    4. Pan Pulling and Setting: Requires lifting, pulling, pushing, and twisting. Proper lifting techniques a must to prevent injuries to back!!
      1. Be able to safely pull pans offline and stack gently to a safe height.
      2. Know how to place pans properly and gently onto line for dough placement and at what distance to space pans for smooth and safe operation.
      3. Learn where to retrieve gloves, hot pads, and arm protectors for handling pans.
      4. Pull stuck buns out of pans to be stacked and where to discard stuck buns. (Stuck buns left in pans reduce the life of the durashield coating on pans.)
    5. Pan Stacker/Unstacker:
      1. Be able to read, understand and operate control panels for each machine.
      2. Know how to safely remove pan jams in stacker, unstacker and pan line.
      3. Know how to properly stage pan carts by variety.
      4. Must know where all reflectors and photo-eyes are located on the stacker, unstacker and pan line. All reflectors and photo-eyes shall be always clean.
      5. Area must be clean and always organized.

Other Duties:

  1. Disposing of scrap buns or dough in compactors and the safe way to operate.
  2. Know where and how to record scrap buns/dough that is thrown into compactor.
  3. Occasionally helps Wrapping Operators conduct blade changes.
  4. Mopping of bakery floor and where to get cleaning supplies.
  5. Cleaning machinery framework, conveyors etc.
  6. Remember to always check the S.D.S. manual before using any chemicals.

GENERAL:

  1. Logic and Reasoning Ability:
    • Able to solve problems relating to quality requirements and testing.
  2. Math Ability:
    • Able to add subtract, multiply, divide, and estimate.
  3. Integrity:
    • Honest, respectful of others, calm and patient in the face of adversity.
  4. Physical:
    • Capable of standing and walking for long periods of time. Capable of exerting up to 40 lbs. of force frequently and pushing 200 lbs. of stacked product across floor. Must be able to reach above 7โ€™8โ€ to stacked product.
    • Capable of climbing, standing for long periods, walking, grasping, lifting, stacking, pushing, and pulling.
    • Must be capable of mental and visual ability to be able to inspect codes and packages and to count product. Must possess basic calculations of counting, addition, multiplication and division.
    • Capable of understanding and reading work schedules, plant signs/notices, safety regulations postings on bulletin boards or SDS sheets found in the SDS binder.
    • Worker subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions and temperatures above 100 degrees that is process related and more extreme in summer months. Workers subject to outside temperatures below freezing.
    • Workers subject to occasional noise sufficient to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard.
    • Worker subject to hazards such as proximity to moving parts, electrical current and moving objects carrying significant weight and force.
  5. Environmental:
    • Work within a noisy environment.
    • Work within a non-climate-controlled workspace where temperatures may vary (typical in manufacturing environments).
  6. Dependability:
    • Good attendance

SAFETY:

  1. Adhere to OSHA policies and company safety procedures and requirements.
  2. Submit documentation for safety hazards to a supervisor when identified.
  3. Avoid rushing, awkward positions, and lifting heavy objects alone.
  4. Be โ€œaccident-freeโ€.
  5. Be LOTO trained and understand LOTO procedures.

FOOD SAFETY:

  1. Understanding of HACCP.
  2. Follow all GMPs.
  3. Properly follow allergen procedures
  4. Monitor product surfaces and work area for any source of cross contamination.
  5. Report any foreign material or food safety risk to a supervisor immediately.
  6. Lead by example by demonstrating what is expected of the food safety culture of Klosterman Baking Company.
  7. All new hires are subject to a 90-day probationary period, with weekly performance and attendance reviews.
  8. As part of the hiring process, a pre-employment background check and drug test are required, in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
  9. Food manufacturing facility in which Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's) must be followed at all times. Safety shoes are required from day one, including for the interview as a facility tour will be part of the interview process.