General Laborer - Food Production

Kowalski Companies; Hamtramck (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Employee discount

Employee referral program

Job summary

Kowalski Companies in Michigan is hiring for a Full-Time Union Position in a fast-paced meat production setting. Starting pay is $15.00 per hour with scheduled increases under the union contract, plus overtime after 8 hours and annual wage steps. The role requires physical work in a refrigerated environment, with benefits including health and 401(k).

Sunday through Friday schedules may occur. The job emphasizes safety, sanitation, and strict adherence to SOPs and MIOSHA requirements, making

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential.
• Ability to lift and push up to 50 lbs. and perform physically demanding work during an 8+ hour shift.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently in a fast-paced, cold environment.
• Willingness to follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.
• Previous food production or manufacturing experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operate production equipment, including the combo dumper, grinder, screw conveyor, mixer, and mill.
• Prepare pre-blends and final meat and spice blends; load and unload mixers.
• Move meat as needed during production.
• Supply raw materials to the grinding room and prepared product to the stuffing room.
• Clean and sanitize production equipment, including linker and clip machines.
• Ensure proper HACCP labeling and maintain accurate production documentation.
• Follow company food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures, including applicable SOPs, SSOPs, GMPs, and MIOSHA requirements.

Skills

Physical fitness

Attention to detail

Attendance

Safety procedures

Cold environment

Job description

Full-Time Union Position

$15.00/hr Starting Pay | Scheduled Pay Increases

About The Job

Join our food production team and help prepare the meat and spice blends used to make sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats. This hands‑on role is ideal for someone who enjoys physical work, pays attention to detail, and takes pride in maintaining a clean and safe work environment. The position involves working in a fast‑paced, refrigerated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate production equipment, including the combo dumper, grinder, screw conveyor, mixer, and mill.
• Prepare pre-blends and final meat and spice blends; load and unload mixers.
• Move meat as needed during production.
• Supply raw materials to the grinding room and prepared product to the stuffing room.
• Clean and sanitize production equipment, including linker and clip machines.
• Ensure proper HACCP labeling and maintain accurate production documentation.
• Follow company food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures, including applicable SOPs, SSOPs, GMPs, and MIOSHA requirements.

Work Hours & Environment

• Start time: Typically 5:00 AM, Monday-Friday.
• Shift length: Generally 8-10 hours.
• Schedule flexibility: Occasional weekend availability may be required.
• Work environment: Refrigerated production areas with cold conditions throughout the shift.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality are essential.
• Ability to lift and push up to 50 lbs. and perform physically demanding work throughout an 8+ hour shift.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently in a fast‑paced, cold environment.
• Willingness to follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.
• Previous food production or manufacturing experience preferred but not required.

Union Position & Benefits

This is a union‑represented position with wages and employment terms governed by the union contract.

Pay & Earning Opportunities

• Starting pay of $15.00 per hour.
• Scheduled $0.50 hourly increases beginning after 90 working days and every 60 working days thereafter until the top rate for the position is reached.
• Additional annual wage increases according to the union contract.
• Daily overtime pay after 8 hours.
• Attendance and performance bonus opportunities.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee discount
• Employee referral program

Eligibility requirements and waiting periods apply to certain pay incentives, overtime, bonuses, and benefits.