Operator - Production & Packaging

HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG; Pleasant Prairie (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid health insurance premiums

Generous HSA contribution

11 paid holidays + PTO

401(k)

Tuition reimbursement

Community involvement opportunities

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

HARIBO of America is seeking an Operator for Production & Packaging in Wisconsin. The role focuses on safely operating and maintaining packaging lines, ensuring product quality, and coordinating with support teams to minimize downtime.

You will perform changeovers, material loading, and routine inspections while adhering to food safety and environmental standards. The position requires teamwork, adaptability to shifts, and strong communication with management.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Three years of progressive manufacturing and/or packaging experience.
• Must be flexible with off-shift work schedule and overtime as needed.
• Ability to handle stress and to interact with others to maintain a positive and productive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate, monitor, adjust, and clean assigned production and packaging equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance to ensure proper functionality.
• Prepare equipment for changeovers, including size and material adjustments.
• Load raw materials, premixes, and packaging materials to maintain continuous line flow.
• Perform quality checks, including product specifications, coding, sealing, weights, and packaging integrity.
• Responsible for training and coaching others in the assigned areas.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Basic math

English writing

Education

High school diploma

Tools

SAP

Job description

Why work at HARIBO? The original and iconic Goldbears, created in 1922, have delighted kids and grown-ups for over 100 years! Our associates are our most valuable asset. At HARIBO of America we are committed to a comprehensive benefit program that helps our employee stay healthy, feel secure, and maintain a positive work life balance.

We provide the following benefits:

• fully paid health insurance premiums and generous HSA contribution
• 11 paid Holiday plus Paid Time Off/PTO
• competitive 401(k)
• tuition reimbursement
• and more
• community involvement opportunities
• career growth opportunities

Operator – Production & Packaging

Reporting to the Shift Supervisor, the Operator – Production & Packaging is responsible for safely and efficiently operating, maintaining, and cleaning production and packaging equipment across multiple areas—including kitchen, mogul, and packaging lines. The Operator – Production & Packaging ensures all work meets quality, food safety, environmental, and cost standards while supporting production schedules and minimizing downtime. Operators partner with support teams using problem-solving techniques and a continuous-improvement mindset to identify and reduce unplanned losses in safety, quality, and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate, monitor, adjust, and clean assigned production and packaging equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance to ensure proper functionality.
• Prepare equipment for changeovers, including size and material adjustments.
• Load raw materials, premixes, and packaging materials to maintain continuous line flow.
• Perform quality checks, including product specifications, coding, sealing, weights, and packaging integrity.
• Responsible for training and coaching others in the assigned areas.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent (HSED/GED).
• Requires three (3) years of progressive manufacturing and/or packaging experience.
• Must be flexible with off-shift work schedule and overtime as needed.
• Ability to handle stress and to interact with others to establish and maintain a positive and productive work environment and minimize personal conflicts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Machine operations preferably in the fast-moving consumer goods/food/beverage/pharma industries.
• Understanding of manufacturing and packaging equipment (cooking/molding, weighing, wrapping, coding, case packing, palletizing, etc.).
• Knowledgeable of food safety and food quality standards and regulations such as SQF and environmental and people-based safety practices and regulations.
• Knowledge of ERP systems preferably SAP.

Skills

• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); SAP experience preferred.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Requires basic mathematical skills to be able to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and work with percentages.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English to document work, communicate with management, and collaborate with colleagues.

Physical Requirements

• Hand/finger dexterity: Frequent to continuous
• Climbing, bending, kneeling, crouching: Frequent
• Lifting/carrying up to 35–50 lbs: Frequent to continuous
• Ability to multitask and function in high-stress environments
• Work performed indoors with artificial lighting, mid-level noise, and proper ventilation

HARIBO of America, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and maintains a Drug-Free Workplace. Employment at HARIBO of America, Inc. is subject to post offer, pre-employment drug testing. The Company’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, including protected veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. HARIBO also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also HARIBO’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

HARIBO is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans.