Equipment Specialist

Arthur Schuman Master; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 4.5% employer contribution

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Schuman Cheese is seeking an Equipment Specialist in Elgin, IL to operate, monitor and maintain automated packaging lines—baggers, sealers, fillers, and labelers. You will ensure accurate weight, seal integrity, labeling and packaging quality while reducing downtime and waste.

This full-time, on-site role requires standing for long periods and working 40–45 hours weekly, Monday through Friday, with a focus on safety, food safety standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Requires 2+ years in food manufacturing/packaging operations.
• Experience with automated packaging equipment preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and GMP/HACCP.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor and adjust packaging equipment to meet production targets.
• Set up and changeovers for different SKUs and formats.
• Monitor labeling accuracy, weights, and seal integrity.
• Inspect finished products for packaging quality and compliance.
• Support audits and regulatory inspections.
• Keep production records and inventory usage up to date.
• Coordinate with maintenance for troubleshooting and preventative actions.

Skills

Packaging operations

Equipment troubleshooting

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Automated packaging equipment

Job description

Job Location: IL - Elgin, IL 60120

Salary Range: $28.00 - $41.00 Hourly

Primary Purpose

The Equipment Specialist is responsible for ensuring efficient, safe, and high-quality packaging operations within a food manufacturing facility. This role operates, monitors, and maintains automated machinery to pack, seal, and label food products safely and efficiently. The role focuses on optimizing packaging processes, maintaining compliance with food safety standards, troubleshooting equipment issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste.

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor and adjust packaging equipment (e.g. baggers, sealers, fillers, labelers) to meet production targets.
• Ensure proper set up and changeovers for different SKUs and packaging formats.
• Monitor product quality, weights, seals and labeling accuracy.
• Inspect finished products for proper sealing, labeling, weight, and packaging integrity to meet company standards.
• Work with quality technicians to conduct in-process checks (seal integrity, coding accuracy, foreign material prevention).
• Support internal audits and regulatory inspections.
• Maintain accurate records of production, inventory, and packaging materials used, often using computer systems.
• Verify packaging materials meet specifications, including film, labels, trays and cartons, and prepare packaging materials.
• Reduce packaging waste, rework and downtime; Assist in root cause analysis for downtime, defects and material waste.
• Perform routine cleaning and minor mechanical issues on machinery, ensuring a clean and safe work area.
• Coordinate with maintenance to troubleshoot automated packaging equipment as needed, recommending changes and preventative maintenance, following LOTO procedures.
• Drive initiatives to improve overall equipment effectiveness.
• Support implementation of standard work and centerlining.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, such as 5S, Kaizen events and lossy analysis.
• Follow all plant safety procedures and policies.
• Adhere strictly to GMP, HACCP, and OSHA regulations to ensure a safe, sanitary product.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in food manufacturing and/or packaging operations.
• Experience with automated packaging equipment preferred.
• Understanding of food safety regulations, packaging materials and machine mechanics.
• Capability to stand for long periods of time, work in cold and varying temperatures.
• Strong attention to detail, manual dexterity and ability to work collaboratively as a team.

Supervisory Responsibility

No direct supervision required.

Work Environment

Work environment is primarily in food production areas. Standing is required for 70% - 80% of work shift. Must be able to walk, bend, stoop, squat and twist. Must be able to occasionally lift 25-50lbs. Temperatures range from 30°-60°F. Personal Protective Equipment must be worn in required areas.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time hourly position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday. Expectations of 40-45 hours per week, to be worked during normal business hours.

Physical Requirements

1. Sitting: Limited time sitting at a desk.
2. Standing: 70-80% of shift on concrete surfaces.
3. Visual Requirements: Extended periods of viewing manufacturing equipment in operation, computer screen and reading printed or digital documents.
4. Mobility: Frequently walking or standing, including moving between different areas of the plant.
5. Manual Dexterity: The ability to handle various forms of equipment and tools.
6. Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with colleagues, clients, and vendors.
7. Lifting: Occasionally lifting and carrying objects, typically 20-50 pounds.
8. Reaching and Bending: Reaching above shoulder height and to floor levels, bending squatting and occasional kneeling.
9. Hearing: Adequate hearing ability to participate in meetings and teleconferences. Ability to hear in a manufacturing environment while wearing required hearing protection.

Compensation and Benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $28-$41. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with 4.5% employer contribution
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs

Salary range is based on consideration of required qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority, etc. Schuman Cheese reserves the right to offer the selected candidate an hourly rate or salary at an appropriate level to be set and determined by Schuman Cheese that is commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority.