Cereal Production Operator

General Mills, Inc; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 49,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

General Mills, Inc. in Buffalo, NY is hiring a Cereal Production Operator to join our manufacturing team on 8-hour rotating shifts. The role includes swing and 3rd-shift options, overtime opportunities, and shift differentials.

Starting pay is $23.85/hour with progression to $26.50 after 36 months, plus potential to reach $30–35+ as you advance. The Buffalo plant produces Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Nut Chex, Corn Chex, and Gold Medal Flour, with comprehensive benefits and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 2+ years of mechanical/technical experience in manufacturing or related field.
• Machine startup, changeover and shut down, and machine maintenance experience.
• Ability to work 8-hour swing shifts and/or steady 3rd shift.
• Willingness to work any shift, including weekends/holidays.
• English communication is essential in our workplace.

Responsibilities

• Assist operators during bottlenecks or downtime.
• Troubleshoot machinery and coordinate with maintenance to resolve issues.
• Participate in startup, changeover, and shutdown of equipment.
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement initiatives to boost performance.
• Assist in training new employees.
• Support packaging and line duties (bagging, counting, feeding, oiling).
• Assist other plant areas as assigned.

Skills

Mechanical/Technical experience

Shift work

English communication

Lifting 50 lbs

Stand/walk/climb/bend

PPE compliance

High-speed machinery awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• Cereal Production Operator

• Starting Pay: $23.85/hour

• Shift differentialpay(2nd & 3rd shifts)

• 8-hour rotating shifts | Steady 3rd shift

Why Join Our Team

The Buffalo plant produces Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Nut Chex, Corn Chex, and Gold Medal Flour. Located on Buffalo's waterfront, it offers easy access to Canada and major cities like Toronto and New York City, and supports career growth through seniority-based bidding and apprenticeship programs. The plant also builds community through events like a summer barbecue, a family picnic at a local amusement park, and a holiday dinner for all three shifts served by leadership. Employees take pride in the plant's strong family ties, and notable history includes its former name, Cheeri-Oats, grain transport by boat, and a fire the day before it opened in 1940.

WhatWe Have to Offer

• $23.85 per hour for 36 months of employment (90% of full rate of pay)

• $26.50 per hour after 36 months of employment (100% of full rate of pay)
  • Potential to move up as seniority/qualifications allows to $30-35+

• Shift Differential
  • Additional $.34 per hour for hours worked on 2nd shift
  • Additional $.41 per hour for hours worked on 3rd shift

• Overtime pay

• Time worked after 8 hours of work is paid at 1.5 times regular rate of pay

• Time worked on Saturday is paid at 1.5 times regular rate of pay

• Time worked on Sunday is paid at 2 times (double pay) regular rate of pay

• Up to 120 hours (15 days) vacation annually (depending on schedule)

• 11 paid company holidays

• 401(k) with company match

• Medical, dental, life insurance

• Career growth and cross-training opportunities

Your Work Schedule and Shift Information

• 8-hour swing shift schedule rotation every week
  • 1st shift: 6:30 am to 2:30 pm
  • 2nd shift: 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm

• Rotation is 1 week on 1st shift, then 1 week on 2nd shift

• 8-hour steady nights only schedule
  • 3rd shift: 10:30 pm to 6:30 am

• Ability and willingness to work overtime, any shift, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays

• Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, nights, and holidays as needed

• Plantoperates24 hours/day, 7 days/week.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

As part of our manufacturing team, you will:

• Assist operators during bottlenecks or downtime

• Troubleshoot problems with machinery and partner with maintenance staff to resolve issues

• Participate in startup, changeover, and shut down of operating equipment

• Participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives to increase platform performance

• Assist in training new employees

• Support production tasks such as bagging, stacking, counting, paper feeding, oiling, and related line operations

• Assistother plant areas as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED

• At least 2 years of mechanical/technical experience in manufacturing or related field

• Machine startup, changeover, and shut down , machine maintenance experience

• Ability to work 8-hour swing shifts and/or steady 3rd shift

• Must be willing to work any shift, including weekends/holidays as even once assigned a shift, you may get moved around depending on openings/seniority.

• Mustpossessthe ability to understand and effectively communicate with co-workers, supervisors, and others in the workplaceregardingwork matters (our business isgenerally conductedin English)

• Ability tolift upto 50lbs

• Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, push, pull, and twist for extended periods

• Willingness to work in hot, cold, noisy, wet, or dusty conditions

• Ability to climb and/or work at heights whileutilizingstairs, ladders, personnel lifts, or platforms

• Ability to follow human and food safety, quality, and grooming standards

• Ability to wear such as protective clothing and equipment (Personal Protective Equipment -PPE) such as safety shoes, safety glasses, hearing protection, hard/bump cap, hair/beard net,gloves,and face masks (whenrequired)

• Ability to work around high-speed machinery and foodallergens

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 2 years of manufacturing or production experience

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.