Production Operator

At Midwest Salt, we don’t just deliver salt – we deliver excellence. With almost 40 years in the industry, we’ve mastered the trifecta: top-quality products, competitive pricing, and reliable, on-time delivery. But what truly sets us apart is our people.

We believe in building win-win relationships, not just with our customers and vendors but with our team members too. When you join Midwest Salt, you become part of a dynamic, agile work environment where your ideas and contributions truly matter. We foster a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Guided by proven processes, we are committed to helping you reach your career goals as we grow together toward becoming the largest nationwide salt distributor.

Grit One is Midwest Salt with a port address. For almost 40 years, Midwest Salt has kept roads safe across the Midwest with top-quality product, competitive pricing, and on-time delivery. Grit One is where that supply chain starts. Vessels and barges unload at our Port of Chicago terminal, product gets stockpiled, and it moves out fast to the customers who count on us every winter.

You get the stability of an established company and the energy of a growing operation. Our port is expanding, and the people we hire now will help build it

You're the link between the stockpile and the customer. Raw salt comes to you, and finished product leaves. You'll run the blending system, keep the conveyors and hoppers fed, and make sure every load meets spec before it ships.

This role is for someone who likes keeping a system running smoothly. You'll watch flow rates, spot jams and wear early, and keep your area clean and organized so production doesn't stop. When something's off, you either fix it safely or flag it fast. You won't just push buttons. You'll learn how the whole system works, and as Grit One grows, you'll help decide how production runs here.

• Run the blending system to produce product to spec
• Operate and monitor conveyors and pneumatic and other hoppers to keep material flowing
• Watch for jams, spills, and equipment issues, and address them safely or flag them right away
• Follow care and maintenance instructions so the equipment stays running
• Keep the production area clean, organized, and safe
• Hit production targets and keep product moving
• Cover other roles when teammates are out
• Own your numbers and know where you stand
• Speak up when you see a safer or better way to do something

• Blending system
• Conveyors
• Pneumatic and other hoppers
• Wheel Bobcat (for cleanup and material handling)

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1+ years in production, manufacturing, or plant operations (bulk materials a plus)
• Mechanical aptitude and attention to detail
• Reliable transportation to our port facility

• $24–29.50/hour, plus overtime
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k)
• Vacation and PTO
• Paid holidays
• Real advancement as the port operation scales

About Grit One
Grit One is Midwest Salt with a port address. We're the bulk salt production and storage facility at the Port of Chicago, where vessels unload, product gets stockpiled, and supply moves fast to customers who count on us.

We're still building this operation, which means every person on this team has a real hand in shaping what it becomes.