Candymaker - 2nd Shift

Russell Stover Chocolates, LLC; Abilene (KS); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Climate-controlled environment

Chocolate samples

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates is seeking a Candymaker to join our production team. You will measure, mix, and cook quality candies, operate specialized equipment, and follow strict GMP and food safety guidelines.

The role requires reading recipes, basic math, and the ability to stand, lift up to 50 lbs, and work a 1:30pm–12:00am schedule with potential overtime in peak season.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read and understand recipes and measurements.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. repeatedly.
• Good communication and basic computer skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain candy-making equipment safely.
• Mix and cook candies according to formulas and specs.
• Read recipes, measurements, and thermometers accurately.
• Ensure GMP and food safety standards are followed.
• Keep workspace clean and organized throughout the shift.

Skills

English fluency

Basic math

Basic computer skills

Physical strength 50 lbs

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

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.

A day in the life…

As a Candymaker, you will be an essential part of our passionate kitchen team, crafting the finest handcrafted confections. In this role, you’ll measure and mix high-quality ingredients, operate and maintain specialized candy-making equipment, and uphold our strict quality, efficiency and safety standards. You will also ensure your workspace remains clean and sanitized throughout your shift, contributing to a smooth and efficient production process.

What you will be doing…

• Operating kitchen equipment such as large mixers, steam kettles, fire cookers and large pots in a safe and proficient manner according to standards, guidelines and instructions.
• Mixing and/or cooking candies in batches per Russell Stover Chocolates standards.
• Reading and understanding formulas/recipes, measurements, tapes, scales and thermometers.
• Reading and understanding product specifications established by Russell Stover Chocolates and recognizes deviations from those specifications.
• Monitoring more than one batch or process simultaneously.
• Performing clean-up activities as assigned.
• Performing other duties as assigned by plant management.
• Adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines to ensure product quality and uphold food safety standards.
• 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 reporting and taking 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 contributing 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.

Typical hours for this role are:
1:30pm - 12:00am, Monday through Thursday.
During peak season - overtime will be required.

Do you have what it takes?

• 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.
• Possess basic computer skills.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. consistently throughout the shift.
• Able to routinely and frequently stand, stoop, bend and lift overhead.
• Able to stand on hard surfaces for the duration shift.

Do you stand above the rest?

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience working in a commercial kitchen.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well-being is our top priority, and we’ve got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you’ll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we’ll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you’re always in the know!
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside a variety of equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels – it’s a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you’re on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there’s never a dull moment. This is a place where you’ll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year-round with our climate-controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.

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.

Make Happy. Work Happy.