Extrusion Operator

D&W Fine Pack; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night shift differential

Job summary

D&W Fine Pack in Elk Grove Village, IL, is seeking an experienced operator to run extrusion machines for high-quality food packaging products. The role requires reading specs, adjusting settings, and maintaining safety and quality standards.

You will work rotating 12-hour shifts, with weekend rotation, and earn $20–$24 per hour based on experience, with night-shift differential potential. This position emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and adherence to GMP practices.

Qualifications

• Experience operating extrusion machinery in a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Willingness to work overtime and cross-functional training.
• Capable of using floor loading equipment as required.
• Commitment to safety and GMP practices.

Responsibilities

• Read job specs to determine machine adjustments and material requirements.
• Set up and adjust extrusion and forming machines for defined standards.
• Perform quality tests and inspections and address issues promptly.
• Operate two extrusion and two forming machines and monitor speeds and temperatures.
• Maintain logs and basic troubleshooting; report problems to supervisor.
• Move finished product to curing/packing areas and ensure scrap targets are met.
• Adhere to GMPs and safety procedures; use PPE as required.

Skills

Extrusion machine operation

Manufacturing experience

Follow instructions

Floor loading trucks

Safety training & cross-functional

Willing to work overtime

Job description

In this function you will operate machinery used in manufacturing high-quality food packaging products.

Shift Times: 5:45pm-6:15am. Rotating 12-hour shifts with every other weekend off. Pay Rate: $20-24 based on experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior Experience with Extrusion Machine Operation
• Manufacturing Experience
• Willingness to work and follow verbal/written instructions
• May be required to use floor loading trucks
• Ability to work safely, willingness to train in cross-functional areas, and work overtime as needed.

Tasks

• Reads job specifications to determine machine adjustments, and material requirements
• Adjusts settings and controls to ensure sheet is within defined processing standards
• Ensures sheet quality by performing required quality assurance tests and inspections
• Operates at or below Company scrap targets
• Understands and completes daily MCL tasks
• Works to reduce rejected rolls per-month measurement
• Makes high-quality food packaging through the thermoforming process
• Ensures that all product manufactured on assigned machine is within Company quality limits; immediately recognizes quality issues and takes action
• Monitors in-line inspection; completes any re-inspection that is ordered due to quality issues from assigned line
• Follows plant quality practices including Good Manufacturing Practices, or GMP’s

Productivity

• Works to achieve 100% on-time completion of scheduled production
• Operates two types of extruder lines including proper start-up/shut-down
• Operates two types of forming machines
• Adjusts machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials
• Monitors machine operations and observes lights and gauges to detect malfunctions; presses control buttons to activate machinery and equipment
• Operates relevant material handling systems
• Understands basic functions of the extruder auxiliary systems
• Handles rolls and moves finished product to the curing area

General & Administrative

• Completes and fills out daily logs/reports as required
• Completes all assigned cleaning/preventive maintenance tasks
• Delivers scrap to reprocessing area in the appropriate manner
• Executes basic Troubleshooting and adjusts basic processing problems.
• Immediately notifies supervisor of any/all processing or maintenance problems on assigned line
• Assists other employees to set up machines and transport finished work pieces
• Reports to work on-time and follows D&W attendance policy and guidelines
• No direct supervision responsibilities

Safety

• Ensures equipment used in extrusion process is operated properly and all safety mechanisms and guards are in place
• Understands how to handle machine properly during an emergency, which includes power outages, machine failure, workplace injuries, etc.
• Follows plant safety procedures and guidelines; wears and utilizes personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
• Understands and performs Lock-out/Tag-out procedures
• Informs supervisor of safety issues; reports any workplace injury or incident immediately

Hourly rate varies based on shift with opportunity for added incentives such as:

• Night shift differential

More than a job. Grow, belong, and make a difference.

At D&W Fine Pack, we don’t just make packaging, we build purpose, pride, and strong teams. Whether you’re launching your career or bringing years of experience, this is a place where you can grow, be supported, and make a real impact. Our culture is built on four core values that guide everything we do:

• Dedicated to Excellence– We hold ourselves to high standards in safety, sustainability, quality, and service.
• Winning with Success– We keep improving to deliver more for our customers and community.
• Focused on Service– We listen, act fast, and support both our customers and each other.
• People with Purpose– We work as one team, showing respect, integrity, and care for all.

Benefits That Matter

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k with company match
• Short and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• FSA’s for Medical & Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) –counseling, financial tools, legal help & more
• Wellness program
• Cancer Expert Now – access to expert consultations for cancer diagnosis and treatment guidance
• And more!

If this sounds like the kind of company and team you want to grow with, we’d love to hear from you.