HELPER 1ST SHIFT

Packaging-Corporation-of-America; Santa Fe Springs (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Packaging Corporation of America in California is seeking a Production Operator to join a team on a 10-hour day, 4-day week, starting at 3am.

The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and fast-paced problem solving to minimize downtime and waste while meeting plant performance metrics. PCA offers competitive starting pay and benefits, with an hourly rate around $20.57 per hour.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Willing to work overtime and weekends as needed.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be willing to start on first shift (3am).

Responsibilities

• Support a manufacturing operation to increase productivity and reduce downtime.
• Assist all plant floor jobs and follow safety rules and procedures.
• Maintain shop and equipment per 5S standards.
• Collaborate with production personnel to solve problems with urgency.

Skills

Teamwork

Safety rules adherence

Problem solving

Fast-paced environment

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Posted Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 5:00 AM | Expires Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 4:59 AM

As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

Principle Accountabilities

• Work as part of a team in support of a manufacturing operation with a goal of increasing productivity; decreasing downtime and waste.
• Assume active role in overall plant and facilities-related work. Position requires assisting all jobs on the plant floor.
• Follow all company safety rules and lock-out tag-out procedures. Other duties as assigned.
• Maintain shop and shop equipment per 5S Standards. Good Housekeeping acumen.
• May be required to stack parts up to 30 lbs. for a period of up to 12 hours.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Graduate or GED.
• Be passionate about maintaining a safe work environment.
• Must be able to work overtime and weekends as needed.
• Must be willing to work the first shift. (3am start daily)
• Must have a good attendance record.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Work overtime as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in a packaging or other manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Possess an understanding that temperatures and volumes of work may vary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Must be willing to work closely on a day-to-day basis with other production personnel.
• Ability to share ideas with others to solve problems of essential importance.
• Thrive in a cross-functional team environment.
• Work with a sense of urgency to reduce downtime of machines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple requests simultaneously.

Facility works a 10hr/ 4-day work week

Hourly Pay Range Start: $20.57 per hour

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Starting salary for position: $20.57 per hour.
• Bonus: Annual – Based upon achievement of plant performance metrics.
• Paid Vacation: 2 weeks per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
• Paid Holidays.
• Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
• Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
• The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer