General Utility

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.; Carthage (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. — Carthage plant, is seeking an entry-level General Utility team member. This role focuses on inspecting products, monitoring frozen items, and stacking finished cases to palletized standards in a fast-paced food manufacturing setting.

You will perform manual packing, manage lifting up to 50 pounds, verify packaging for damage, and help maintain GMP/GSP practices while supporting line operations and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable and self-driven.
• Experience in a food manufacturing plant is preferred.
• Good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manually assemble and/or pack product meeting line standards.
• Lift and move cases weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Check packaging material for damage and notify Lead of any non-compliant products.
• Perform line sanitations/housekeeping practices and monitor packing equipment for potential issues to be referred to a Lead.
• Ensure correct pallet label and sticker information is applied, stack cases on pallets, and ensure proper sealing of bags and boxes.
• Understand different case pack sizes and weight ranges, adjusting tape machine configurations accordingly.
• Maintain speed and flexibility to adapt to different line speeds and case standards.
• Performs all other work as assigned.

Job description

General Utility

US-MO-Carthage

Carthage Plant

Job ID: 2026-10140

Type: Regular Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

Overview

This entry-level position involves the inspection of pre-cooked or post-cooked food products entering or exiting the cooker, monitoring frozen products in the pack-off area, and stacking finished product cases onto specified pallets.

Responsibilities

Employee Physical Responsibilities:

• Manually assemble and/or pack product meeting line standards.
• Lift and move cases weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Check packaging material for damage and notify Lead of any non-compliant products.
• Perform line sanitations/housekeeping practices and monitor packing equipment for potential issues to be referred to a Lead.
• Ensure correct pallet label and sticker information is applied, stack cases on pallets, and ensure proper sealing of bags and boxes.
• Understand different case pack sizes and weight ranges, adjusting tape machine configurations accordingly.
• Maintain speed and flexibility to adapt to different line speeds and case standards.
• Performs all other work as assigned.

Employee Communication Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate consistent respectful communication with all team members.
• Communicate any production issues to team members, demonstrating understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Sanitation Practices (GSP).
• Participate in break rotations, write legibly, and collaborate effectively with team members.
• Inspect products to ensure compliance with quality standards specified by QC, disposing of non-compliant products and communicating with leadership as needed.

Employee Safety Responsibilities:

• Adhere to company standards and safety regulations.
• Report all injuries, unsafe conditions and acts
• Use proper lifting techniques
• Use mechanical assistance (handjack, forklift, manlift)
• Use personal assistance (team lift for product above 50lb.)
• Use handrails
• Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)

Qualifications

An equivalent combination of experience and education will also be considered.

Education

Education Level High School or GED (preferred)

• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and self-driven
• Experience in a food manufacturing plant is preferred
• Good communication skills

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands Hardcoded

• Sit - Frequent
• Stand - Frequent
• Walk - Frequent
• Lift - Frequent
• Bend/Twist - Frequent
• Reach - Frequent
• Vision - Close vision and the ability to adjust focus. - Constant

Other Physical Demands or Working Conditions

• The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, normally at waist level and sometimes at shoulder level.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Continuously required to stand.
• Occasional walking, reaching and working above shoulders, body bending, stooping, climbing stairs, body twisting/rotating, and driving a pallet jack.
• Will be exposed to loud industrial type environments commonly found at plants and working with powered equipment.
• Varied temperatures from hot and humid to very cold. Temperatures throughout plant average 50 degrees.
• May be required to wear bump caps, safety glasses, hairnet, smock, boots, ear plugs, gloves, plastic sleeves, and aprons provided by the Company.

AAP/EEO Statement

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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