Class 6 Machine Operator Level I

Central Garden & Pet Company; Chilton (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with match

Onsite gym

Paid time off

Life & disability insurance

Education assistance

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet Company in Chilton, WI is seeking an Extruder Operator to set up and run extrusion lines for small animal products, ensuring proper moisture and coating throughout the process. You will work four 10-hour shifts (2pm-12am, Mon-Thu), with overtime possible, and collaborate with Milling Department and Production Scheduler to keep orders moving.

The role requires lifting up to 50 lbs, basic computer skills, and the ability to work in warm, humid environments.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently in a safe and accurate manner.
• Must lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must work in warm, humid conditions.
• Basic computer skills including Bachelor Controls, SAP, Excel, Word, Outlook.
• Must possess a good sense of smell.

Responsibilities

• Set up and clean up machine according to product being run.
• Set up oils and dyes for startup.
• Set up of dryer and screening properties.
• Set up post-dryer equipment (enrober, spray, powder coating).
• Operate machine until dry mix reaches desired consistency.
• Set up Bachelor control configuration and adjust as needed.
• Maintain communication with Milling Department Operators and Production Scheduler.
• Perform process quality control checks (moisture, density, color, etc.).
• Maintain equipment for extrusion operations.
• Set up code dater and inspect bags when assisting in bagging area.

Skills

Independent worker

Lift 50 lbs

Safe and accurate

Basic computer skills

SAP

Excel

Good sense of smell

Tools

Bachelor Controls

SAP

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

Location: Chilton, WI, United States
Date Posted: Aug 4, 2026
Job ID: JV-2420

At Kaytee, you have the opportunity to work with products for birds, hamsters,rabbits, and other small animals. We offer a clean work environment with free uniforms, onsite fitness center and an onsite Health & Wellnessclinic for employees and their families. Other benefits include full medical, dental and vision coverage, free life, and disability insurance and a full 3% match on your 401k contributions, along with a yearly profit-sharing bonus. If you find your skills match the qualifications we are seeking below, we invite you to apply for this position!

The typical work schedule entails regular business hours, averaging at least 40 hours per week. For this role, you'll work four 10-hour shifts from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Thursday; enjoy a long weekend every week! There may be some variation in work hours due to overtime, special projects, deadlines, and other concerns.

Chilton, WI

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set-up and clean-up machine according to product being run. Includes setting up proper screw configurations, dies, inserts, and related components of extruder.
• Setup oils being used, mix and maintain dyes being used and have ready for machine startup.
• Set-up of dryer for proper moisture content, and screener-based properties of product being produced.
• Set-up of post-dryer equipment based on item being produced, including enrober, spray and powder coating equipment.
• Operates machine until dry mix reaches desired consistency, and processes through extruder to transfer conveyor, through dryer, and into coating operation.
• Setup appropriate Bachelor control configuration for product run being desired, selecting formula from system, and modifying based on current run conditions.
• Maintains open line of communication between Milling Department Operators, and Production Scheduler, to ensure mixes arrive in a timely fashion.
• The operator is responsible for Process Quality Control checks as indicated through Quality Control Department, including moisture, water activity, density, color, shape, and consistency.
• Maintains equipment associated with the Extrusion operations.
• When assisting in bagging area, sets up code dater, ensuring proper code date, inspects bags for quality seams, test product weights, and performs visual checks for proper mix. Marks pallets, and/or totes for proper destination and records materials consumed, and finished units complete on work orders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work independently in an efficient, safe and accurate manner.
• Must be able to consistently lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work in warm, moist/humid conditions.
• Must possess basic computer skills, specific applications include Bachelor Controls, SAP, Excel, Work, Outlook
• Must possess a good sense of smell.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in a production/warehouse environment.
• Temperatures can vary due to outside temperatures; internal temperatures can reach 100 degrees with very high humidity and moisture.
• There is occasional exposure to high, precarious places.
• Hearing Protection is normally required in this working environment.
• Currently, hours of work for this position are on a 10-hour shift schedule (on each respective shift) and average at least 40 hours a week. (2pm-12am M-Th)
• There may be some variation in work hours due to overtime, special projects, deadlines, and other concerns.

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free Life and Disability Insurance
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to thousands of free online courses
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
• Referral Program with cash bonus
• Access to on-demand pay
• Paid parental leave
• Onsite 24-hour gym
• Health and Wellness Center

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro?, Aqueon?, Best Bully Sticks?, Cadet?, C&S?, Farnam?, Ferry-Morse?, Kaytee?, Nylabone?, Pennington?, Sevin? and Zoёcon?. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.