Machine Operator, WDS 1st Shift

At Russell Stover
, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar‑free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations.

Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company‑owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy!

As the Machine Operator
, you will operate and maintain machinery with precision, conduct quality inspections, perform changeovers and keep detailed records to uphold production excellence. Additionally, you will troubleshoot issues as needed and maintain a clean, organized work environment. To be successful in this role, you must be able to work well in a fast‑paced environment, be a team player and have the flexibility to work across various areas.

• Setting up and pre‑running equipment to ensure proper production start‑up.
• Controlling line speeds, batch formula production rates, equipment start/stop, and ensuring overall product quality and safety.
• Performing required quality checks and completing all associated documentation (e.g., downtime, HACCP, Quality 302, SAP/SOP forms).
• Completing 5S, AM, and other LPW functions.
• Performing WDS setup, including machine adjustments at startup and during changeovers to minimize downtime.
• Assisting leads with efficient WDS production operations, including coordinating staff, identifying shortages or production gaps, and supporting changeovers and cleans.
• Working directly with supervisors, management, and contractors.
• Training operators and backup operators as needed.
• Accurately reporting downtime to support OEE/TE accountability.
• Operating and maintaining machinery, equipment, and tools safely and proficiently.
• Performing basic machine changeovers, startups and shutdowns.
• Ensuring materials are loaded correctly and replenishing supplies as needed.
• Maintaining clean and organized workstations in compliance with sanitation standards.
• Reporting mechanical or process issues to supervision or maintenance.
• Supporting team goals through cross‑training and flexible task assignments.
• Completing and following FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives. Promptly report and take appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non‑conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities. Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.

This job posting is not all inclusive and other duties may be assigned.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Able to read and understand recipes.
• Possess basic math skills.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Able to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend and lift overhead.
• Able to stand on hard surfaces for the duration.

• Experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• 1 year of experience utilizing SAP.
• Strong commitment to punctuality and dependability.

At Russell Stover Chocolates
, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.