Entry Production Team Member

Winland Foods, Inc.; Elk Grove Township (IL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union contract benefits

Job summary

Winland Foods, Inc. is seeking an Entry Production Team Member for the 2nd shift (5:00pm–3:30am) at Elk Grove Village, IL. You will operate packaging lines, monitor quality, and support safety initiatives to ensure products meet high standards.

Requirements include a High School Diploma or GED and at least 1 year in manufacturing or food production. Forklift certification is preferred; willingness to obtain if needed. Salary is based on experience with union-provisions.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production.
• Certifications: Forklift certification preferred (required for Advanced Level); willing to obtain certification if not held.

Responsibilities

• Operate basic packaging machinery (depalletizers, palletizers, conveyors, forklifts) and perform changeovers.
• Inspect products for labeling, alignment, and packaging; perform manual packing and palletizing.
• Follow FIFO inventory, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP.
• Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies; maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
• Assist team members, adapt to changes, and contribute to productivity, safety and quality.
• Accurately complete production paperwork and report issues; record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP.
• Participate in 5S efforts.

Job description

Job Description Summary

At Winland Foods, our success starts with people who live our values of Excellence, Quality, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration every day. As a Packaging Team Member, you’ll be at the center of our operation, helping ensure products are packaged safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You’ll operate, monitor, and maintain packaging equipment, monitor processes, and take pride in knowing your work directly impacts the food experiences we deliver to millions of consumers. This role is more than keeping lines moving—it’s about working as part of a team that respects one another, values safety, and strives for continuous improvement. By upholding our commitment to excellence, you’ll play a vital role in making mealtime easier, safer, and more enjoyable for families everywhere.

Job Details

• Employee Type: Full time
• Location: IL Elk Grove
• Job Type: Production Group
• Job Posting Title: Entry Production Team Member
• Schedule: 2nd Shift 5:00pm to 3:30am, Monday - Friday, with rotating for Saturday work based on production schedule
• Work Location: 1325 Chase Ave, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
• Salary, based on experience and other qualifications: 2nd Shift $20.75 per hour + $0.25 Shift Differential
• Benefits: Based on Union Contract Provisions

Duties and Responsibilities

• Safe Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Operate basic packaging machinery (depalletizers, palletizers, conveyors, forklifts). Complete equipment changeovers and address operational issues quickly. Use technical skills in SAP, IQS, MII, and Weaver to keep Packaging flowing. Perform routine operation checks.
• Product Handling, Quality Control & Inventory Management: Inspect products for correct labeling, alignment, and packaging. Perform manual packing and palletizing. Follow FIFO inventory methods, manage materials, and record shipments in SAP.
• Food Safety & Sanitation Compliance: Follow GMP, HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and company food safety policies. Maintain cleanliness and sanitation.
• Team Collaboration, Leadership & Training: Assist team members, adapt to operational changes, and contribute to productivity, safety, and quality goals.
• Documentation, Communication & Continuous Improvement: Accurately complete basic production paperwork and report issues to supervisors. Record inventory transactions, shipments, and quality results in SAP. Participate in 5S efforts.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

• Education & Experience: High School Diploma or GED required. Minimum 1 year of work experience, preferably in manufacturing or food production. Forklift certification preferred (required for Advanced Level); willingness to obtain certification if not already held. 18+ years of age.

Technical & Mechanical Skills

• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, and perform minor repairs on production line equipment, including cartoners, baggers, case packers, sealers, depalletizers, and palletizers. For higher levels, demonstrate expert troubleshooting of high-speed packaging equipment and strong understanding of theory of operation. Perform Winland Excellence CIL, centerlining, and line huddle activities to improve efficiency. Mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify and resolve equipment irregularities. Proficiency in SAP, hand scanners, and basic math skills. Advanced levels require proficiency in MII, WE systems, and interpreting line huddle measures to resolve issues. Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Safety & Compliance

• Knowledge of GMPs, SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and other food safety regulations.
• Commitment to following all company safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., push heavy loads, stand/walk up to 90% of shift, and climb as needed.
• Must have near and far visual acuity, some color perception, and full range of hand/arm movement.

Teamwork, Communication & Leadership

• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, with a team-first mindset. Provide training, guidance, and feedback to team members (progressively more responsibility at higher levels). Advanced levels lead projects, identify skill gaps, and support multiple initiatives with minimal supervision.

Personal Attributes & Work Ethic

• Positive attitude, dependable, self-motivated, and willing to work overtime or weekends as needed. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, ability to multitask, and flexibility to adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated accountability for work quality, attendance, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands

• Employees must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Tasks may involve frequent climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs frequently. Must have good hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and 20/20 corrected vision. Must have normal hearing and vision (with correction if needed), including the ability to distinguish colors for color-coded containers in production areas. Employees must wear all required PPE according to the specific manufacturing environment, as outlined in the Employee Handbook, posted policies, or as directed by leadership. Must adhere to all safety policies, including lock-out/tag-out, safe lifting techniques, and others as instructed. Exposure to wet, humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, high areas, fumes, airborne particles, extreme temperatures, electrical risks, and vibrations depending on the area assigned. Must maintain a clean and safe work environment and report any food safety or quality issues immediately to management.

EEO Statement

Winland Foods seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and as a global company we believe our success is enhanced by fostering equity and inclusion in the workplace. Therefore, Winland Foods is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

About Us

At Winland Foods, we’re passionate about creating exceptional food experiences that bring people together. We are a dynamic and growing company specializing in meal preparation products—from pasta and sauces to plant-based proteins and more. Our portfolio includes beloved consumer brands and custom private-label solutions for retail and foodservice channels.

Why Work With Us?

• Commitment to Quality: We consistently exceed industry standards across our value chain.
• Sustainability & Responsibility: We prioritize environmental stewardship and make a positive impact on the world around us.
• People First: The safety, well-being, and growth of our employees are at the heart of everything we do.

Our Culture

We’re a team of food enthusiasts who value collaboration, innovation, and integrity. At Winland Foods, you’ll find an environment where your ideas matter, your contributions are recognized, and your career can thrive.

Explore Opportunities

At Winland Foods, you’ll find opportunities across operations, supply chain, marketing, and product development—roles where your work truly makes an impact. By joining our team, you become part of a forward-thinking organization that values passion, collaboration, and shared success with our customers. Together, we’re shaping the future of food.