Manufacturing Line Operator

Crest Foods Co.; Illinois; On-site; USD 26,904 - 37,277; Full time

Job summary

Crest Foods Co. is seeking high-energy Line Operators to join our team in Ashton, Illinois. You will lead production activities while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Ideal candidates have a strong commitment to teamwork and a focus on precision.

At Crest, we value your contributions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where you can thrive. Join us in building something great!

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to safety and quality standards.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate production teams.
• Mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting equipment issues.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Dependable attendance and reliability in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities.
• Operate and troubleshoot packaging equipment.
• Ensure compliance with quality and food safety standards.
• Maintain production documentation and traceability.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and safety.

Skills

Safety commitment

Team leadership

Mechanical aptitude

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Job description

$19.53-$27.06/hour Based on experience

Ready to Roll Up Your Sleeves and Join the Crest Crew?

Come experience the Crest Foods difference—where tradition meets innovation, and every day feels like a team celebration. Since 1946, we’ve been proudly family‑operated and community‑rooted, growing to nearly 700 full‑time employees who bring heart, hustle, and a whole lot of fun to our state‑of‑the‑art facilities in Ashton, Illinois.

At Crest, we don’t just make food—we make culture. And right now, we’re looking for hands‑on, high‑energy Line Operators who are ready to keep our production lines running smoothly and our standards sky‑high. If you love working in a fast‑paced environment, take pride in precision, and want to be part of a team that values your contributions, we’ve got a spot for you.

Crest Foods offers the opportunity to grow, thrive, and be part of something bigger. Let’s build something great—together.

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality operations.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot packaging equipment to maximize uptime and production performance.
• Ensure all products meet customer specifications, quality standards, and food safety requirements.
• Coordinate and execute product changeovers while minimizing downtime and waste.
• Maintain accurate production documentation, material verification, and product traceability requirements.
• Monitor production processes and proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Support and direct line personnel to ensure adherence to standard work, GMPs, and company policies.
• Communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Sanitation teams to ensure smooth operations.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit‑ready work environment
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and food safety standards.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and work alongside a small production team.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic equipment issues.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• High attention to detail and commitment to following standard operating procedures.
• Dependable attendance and demonstrated reliability.
• Previous manufacturing, machine operation, or production leadership experience preferred.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 55 pounds.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute to a team‑focused culture.

General Hours of Work

• 1st Shift: Monday-Friday 5:45am-2:36pm
• 2nd Shift: Monday-Thursday 2:25pm-1:10am
• Overtime and extended hours as needed or requested