Packaging Operator

Nombase Education; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Craftsmith, a full-service beverage contract manufacturer, is seeking a Packaging Operator to operate, maintain, and improve packaging line equipment across our facility. You'll work with fillers, cartoners, tray packers, and related systems, ensuring smooth production and quality output.

You will set up and calibrate machines, perform changeovers, run in-process checks, maintain logs, follow GMP and safety protocols, and contribute to SOPs and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Comfort using computers, iPads, and PLC-based interfaces.
• Able to lift 50 lbs and stand for long periods.
• 1+ year manufacturing/CPG or food/beverage experience.
• Brewing industry familiarity.
• Forklift or pallet jack certification (training available).
• Preventive maintenance or SOP development experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate & maintain packaging equipment (filler, cartoner, tray packer, labeler, date coder, poly-pro applicator).
• Set up, calibrate, conduct changeovers, and troubleshoot—ensuring quality output.
• Perform in-process checks (seams, fills, weights, carbonation).
• Stage materials and maintain accurate logs of downtime, maintenance, and performance.
• Maintain accurate logs of production performance, downtime, and maintenance activity.
• Adhere to all safety, GMP, and sanitation protocols while maintaining a clean work environment.
• Clean, sanitize, and help build better SOPs; participate in continuous improvement.
• Contribute to SOP development, continuous improvement projects, and efficiency initiatives.
• Support onboarding and training of new team members.
• Assist in other brewery areas (cellar, warehouse, shipping/receiving) as needed to meet production demands.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Computer literacy

Lifting 50 lbs

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

Full-Service Beverage Contract Manufacturing

As a full-service beverage contract manufacturer, Craftsmith handles every step of the production process — from recipe development to finished goods on a pallet — so you can focus on building your brand.

Position Summary

About the Role: The Packaging Operator is responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving key packaging line equipment across our facility. This includes primary machines such as the filler, cartoner, and tray packer, as well as auxiliary equipment like detection scanners, date coders, and poly-pro applicators. Operators at Craftsmith are cross-trained to provide flexibility, ensure redundancy, and support smooth production across all equipment centers.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate & maintain packaging equipment (filler, cartoner, tray packer, labeler, date coder, poly-pro applicator)
• Set up, calibrate, conduct changeovers, and troubleshoot—ensuring quality output
• Perform in-process checks (seams, fills, weights, carbonation)
• Stage materials and maintain accurate logs of downtime, maintenance, and performance
• Maintain accurate logs of production performance, downtime, and maintenance activity.
• Adhere to all safety, GMP, and sanitation protocols while maintaining a clean work environment.
• Clean, sanitize, and help build better SOPs; participate in continuous improvement
• Contribute to SOP development, continuous improvement projects, and efficiency initiatives.
• Support onboarding and training of new team members.
• Assist in other brewery areas (cellar, warehouse, shipping/receiving) as needed to meet production demands.

Qualifications

• Core Requirements
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
• Comfort using computers, iPads, and PLC-based interfaces
• Able to lift 50 lbs and stand for long periods
• Preferred—Not Mandatory
• 1+ year manufacturing/CPG or food/beverage experience
• Brewing industry familiarity
• Forklift or pallet jack certification (training available)
• Preventive maintenance or SOP development experience

Your Role & Growth

At Craftsmith, Packaging Operators are hands-on contributors, problem-solvers, collaborators, and teammates whose work drives our success. Here’s what you’ll gain:

• Career growth:Learn every piece of the line and cross-train across multiple machines so you’re always in demand.
• Skill-building:Get hands-on with continuous improvement, SOPs, and new processes that shape how our facility runs.
• Team environment:Join a collaborative crew where your input matters and your work directly impacts quality and consistency.