Kitchen Operator

Job Description
Job Title:
Kitchen Operator

The Kitchen Operator plays a key role in a food manufacturing environment by preparing ingredients, operating kitchen processing equipment, and ensuring that all products meet quality and food safety standards. This position focuses on efficient batch production of caramel and other confectionery items while maintaining strict compliance with safety, sanitation, and Good Manufacturing Practices.

• Prepare and measure ingredients accurately according to established recipes and production specifications.
• Operate kettles, mixers, cookers, pumps, and other kitchen processing equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Monitor cooking temperatures, viscosity, and batch quality throughout the production process to ensure consistent product standards.
• Cook, mix, and transfer caramel and other confectionery products to production lines as required.
• Record batch information, production data, and quality check results clearly and accurately.
• Perform equipment setup and changeovers to support different products and production runs.
• Conduct basic troubleshooting on kitchen processing equipment to minimize downtime.
• Follow all food safety, GMP, HACCP, and sanitation procedures at all times.
• Clean and sanitize kitchen equipment, utensils, and work areas to maintain a hygienic production environment.
• Communicate effectively with production, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Assist with inventory management and ingredient staging to support continuous production flow.
• Maintain a safe work environment by following all company safety policies and reporting any hazards or concerns promptly.

• At least 2 years of production experience in a manufacturing or similar environment.
• Ability to operate batch mixers and other food production equipment such as kettles, cookers, and pumps.
• Experience in food manufacturing or food production operations.
• Strong attention to detail in performing quality checks and recording production data.
• Comfort wearing GMP attire as required in a food manufacturing facility.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Comfort working near ovens, kettles, and other heated equipment.
• Understanding of basic food safety and sanitation practices.
• Ability to follow established recipes, procedures, and production specifications accurately.

• 2+ years of food mixing or batch mixing experience.
• Experience working with baking, dairy, or confectionery equipment.
• Ability to communicate in more than one language (bilingual).
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, and other food safety standards.
• Experience in quality checking within a production environment.

Employees benefit from a comprehensive healthcare package that typically includes medical coverage and likely dental and vision options, along with a 401(k) retirement plan to support long-term financial security. The organization promotes work-life balance through paid time off and other time-off benefits, and offers disability coverage to provide additional peace of mind. The culture emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and teamwork in a professional food manufacturing setting.

This role is based in a clean food manufacturing environment that prioritizes hygiene and adherence to GMP standards. Team members work in proximity to ovens, kettles, and other heated equipment and are required to wear appropriate GMP attire such as protective clothing and gear. The setting involves regular lifting of up to 50 pounds and working around batch mixers, cookers, and other food processing equipment, with a strong focus on safety, sanitation, and efficient production.

This is a Permanent position based out of Niles, IL.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $23.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)