Machine Operator - Edgerton, KS (PARENT)

Hershey Company; Edgerton (KS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Referral Bonus

Job summary

The Hershey Company is seeking a Machine Operator in Edgerton, KS to run and supervise automated mixing, baking, packaging, and palletizing lines. You will ensure product quality, safety and efficiency, while supporting continuous improvement and proper equipment maintenance.

The role offers starting pay of $23.25/hr with shift differential up to $2.00, overtime potential, and advancement opportunities. Benefits include 401(k), PTO, and a $500 referral bonus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience working with automated machinery.
• Proven experience in troubleshooting machine programs or mechanical problems.
• Proven technical background and expertise; ability to multitask and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, update, and follow all machine SOPs and SSOPs to keep consistent quality.
• Support safety, quality, sanitation, and productivity standards.
• Complete daily setup, changeover, and shutdown of equipment in a timely manner.
• Visually inspect product quality on a consistent basis.
• Recognize and pull inadequate products off the line.
• Minimize equipment downtime and maximize performance.

Skills

Automated machinery experience

Troubleshooting

Multitasking & communication

Job description

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Note:If you apply for a role at Hershey through our career’s website, we may use technologies that use automation to filter your candidacy based on objective criteria. We also use AI-enabled tools that help us facilitate the selection of our future Hershey talent. These tools may help with activities such as matching and scoring candidates to roles based on requirements and scheduling interviews. These systems process only the information you provide in your application, including your resume, work history, education, and responses to screening questions. While these technologies assist with certain steps in our recruitment process and may provide recommendations, all final decisions, including those affecting whether candidates advance to subsequent stages in the applicant process, are made by our talent acquisition teams with meaningful human review and independent judgment. Depending on your location and the specific role you apply for, additional disclosures about our use of AI in recruitment may be provided to you separately.

Machine Operator - Edgerton, KS (PARENT)

Posted Date: Aug 7, 2026

Requisition Number: 129954

Machine Operator - Edgerton, KS

We are mixing up something new in Edgerton, KS. This is an exciting time to join our team. We hold ourselves to the highest of quality standards. Each bag of Dot’s Pretzels tastes as if they were made straight from the home kitchen of Dot herself. Our foundation is built on relationships. We are family. We believe in our employees and lead by example. The Dot’s Pretzels brand has seen an enormous amount of growth, so we are looking for employees to become part of our team in the Edgerton, KS location.

Pay:

Starting pay is $23.25/hr

Eligible shifts can receive up to $2.00 shift differential

Overtime Potential!

Up to $1/hr pay increase after 6 months of good standing employment

• Overtime Potential!

Total Rewards:

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – with generous company match
• Paid Time Off
• Referral Bonus of $500, when eligible

Shifts:

• A shift: 12 HR (5 am-5 pm) 1st week: Sun- Tues; 2nd week: Sun - Wed
• B shift: 12 HR (5 am-5 pm) 1st week: Wed - Tues; 2nd week: Thurs - Sat
• C shift: 12 HR (5 am-5 pm) 1st week: Sun- Tues; 2nd week: Sun - Wed
• D shift: 12 HR (5 pm-5 pm) 1st week: Wed - Tues; 2nd week: Thurs - Sat

Job Summary:

The Machine Operator’s primary responsibility is to ensure the proper operation of the automated mixing, baking, packaging, and palletizing equipment. Ensure material and finished product is meeting all quality standards while maintaining good practice in regard to safety, sanitation, and productivity. This individual must strive for continuous improvement of the equipment to maximize operating performance and minimize waste and downtime. He or she also plays a critical role in the maintenance and upkeep of the equipment to fix or report issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create, maintain, update, and follow all machine SOPs and SSOPs to keep consistent quality
• Support all standards of safety, quality, sanitation, and productivity
• Complete all daily setup, changeover, and shutdown of equipment in a timely manner
• Visually inspect product quality on a consistent basis
• Recognize and pull inadequate products off the line
• Continuously improve to maximize performance of the machine
• Create and manage all machine program recipes and adjust as needed
• Minimize equipment downtime and aim for high efficiency and speed of operation
• Minimize waste in the areas of spillage or giveaway
• Hit and exceed daily targets set forth
• Maintain good documentation on traceability of the materials used and the product made
• Communicate with teammates on the front end and back end of equipment to meet expectations
• Assist with production line on the front end or back end whenever needed
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and resolve for continuous operation with minimal downtime
• Engage in minor repairs on the equipment and involve maintenance when major issues arise
• Conduct necessary preventative maintenance of the machinery, including greasing, checking for and replacing worn parts, future hazards, and breakdowns
• See through the completion of necessary work orders to sustain the upkeep of the equipment

Position Qualifications:

• Minimum of 1- 2 years’ experience working with automated machinery
• Proven experience in troubleshooting machine programs or mechanical problems
• Proven technical background and expertiseAbility to multitask and communicate effectively.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift 45 pounds repetitively
• Ability to bend, twist, and stand on your feet for an entire shift
• Exposed to food production environment and warehouse environment which may involve noise and fluctuating temperatures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by team members assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, qualifications or working conditions.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

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To request an accommodation via phone, please call [phone] and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to [e-mail]. Please be sure to include “Accommodation Needed” in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.