Packaging Technician

Fair State Co-op; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8 paid holidays

PTO accrual

Parental leave

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Disability and life insurance

Merchandise discounts

Clothing stipend

Job summary

Ranchers Beverage Co in St. Paul, MN is hiring a full-time Packaging Technician to support beverage packaging operations. The role emphasizes safe, food-safe, and collaborative work with hands-on training and opportunities to improve internal processes.

The position runs 40 hours/week on a closing shift (11 am–7 pm) and reports to the Beverage Packaging Manager; union membership is required and dues are the employee's responsibility.

Qualifications

• Experience in packaging or manufacturing environments with strong attention to detail.
• Aptitude for troubleshooting and problem solving in a fast-paced setting.
• Ability to read and interpret numeric and graphical reports and maintain records.
• Willingness to work mid- to late shifts and collaborate with a union workforce.
• Reliable personal transportation and safe chemical handling knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Operate canning lines, perform quality checks, and palletize finished product.
• Clean and fill kegs; perform cleaning of canning and kegging equipment.
• Troubleshoot equipment and perform preventative maintenance.
• Collect data and maintain records related to packaging and inventory.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities and safety practices.
• Operate forklifts and pallet jacks; maintain a safe work environment.
• Support overall production and maintain cleanliness and organization.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Attention to detail

Mechanical skills

Recordkeeping

Problem-solving

Communication

Tools

Forklifts

Pallet jacks

Hand tools

Job description

Ranchers Beverage Co is seeking a full-time Packaging Technician to join our staff in St. Paul, MN.

A little about us

Ranchers Beverage Co is a beverage production facility that owns and produces the Fair State Brewing line-up, as well as beer, THC, and NA beverages for a variety of contract customers. We operate a 4-vessel 30-bbl brewhouse, two separate canning lines, and a kegging system. Our hourly staff are union members, with representation provided through Unite Here Local 17.

A little about you

We’re looking for a dedicated and hardworking person to keep our packaging operations running safely, smoothly, and effectively. You will contribute to our continued growth and excellence. The ideal candidate will have experience in packaging or manufacturing environments, but attention to detail and an aptitude for troubleshooting are the critical skills we are looking for.

About the Job

Packaging Technicians at Ranchers Beverage Co are responsible for getting beverages into containers and helping to maintain a safe, food-safe, and collaborative work environment. We provide technical & production training and welcome opportunities for improving our internal processes. This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and is a closing shift from 11 am–7 pm, although specific shift times can vary based on workload. This is an hourly union position and reports to the Beverage Packaging Manager. Membership in the union is required, and monthly dues are the responsibility of the employee.

Responsibilities

Day-to-day tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contributing to a safe working environment by following safety procedures and leading by example
• Maintain a clean and orderly working environment
• Operating the canning lines, performing quality checks, casing, and palletizing finished product
• Cleaning and filling kegs
• Performing required cleaning of canning and kegging equipment, along with general cleaning & sanitation of the brewery
• Troubleshooting equipment and performing preventative maintenance
• Collecting data and maintaining records related to packaging & inventory
• Participating in continuous improvement activities
• Operating forklifts and pallet jacks

Desired Experience + Capabilities

• Willingness to work mid- to late shifts
• Previous experience in manufacturing operations, ideally in the beverage industry
• Ability to make informed decisions independently based onappropriate information
• Impeccable attention to recordkeeping with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Very strongarithmetic, problem-solving, and mechanical skills
• Ability to troubleshoot, find solutions under pressure, and change tasks quickly whilemaintainingfocus and a constructive attitude
• Willingness to work hard, find root causes, and support long-term improvements
• Dedication to learning, improving, and contributing to a dynamic and growing team
• Commitment to ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures

Requirements

• Able tooperatea wide variety of small hand tools
• Able to read,comprehend, and communicate with others
• Able to sit (including drive) or stand for prolonged periods of time
• Able to stoop, crawl, twist, turn, lift, kneel, climb ladders and stairs
• Able to manipulate valves and clamps
• Able to regularly lift/carry heavy objects (up to 55lbs) repeatedly and safely
• Able to occasionally move very heavy objects (160lbs)
• Able tocomply withsafe chemical handling procedures, including personal protection equipment such as gloves and goggles
• Able to safely work on ladders and elevated platforms and in confined spaces
• Able to safelyoperatevehicles and material handling equipment (e.g. hand trucks, scissor lifts)
• Able to use a computer
• Able to work in a production environment with noise, strong odors, wet surfaces, and movement
• Able to read and interpret numerical and graphical reports
• Must have reliable personal transportation
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment with high-pressured deadlines, time constraints, and distractions
• Able to deal constructively with conflict and disagreement

Compensation AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, hourly position with a compensation range of $19–$22 per hour depending on experience. As a full-time employee, this role is also eligible for:

• 8 paid holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day)
• Paid Time Off is accrued at a rate of 0.0769 hours of PTO (4 weeks per year)
• Paid parental leave (160 hours in the 12 months following, or the 9 months prior to the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child in your home)
• Health insurance for employee, spouse/domestic partner, and dependents, with a portion of premiums paid by Ranchers Beverage Co
• Dental and vision insurance, with a portion of employee and dependent premiums paid by Ranchers Beverage Co
• Short- and Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and life insurance coverage, with 100% of premiums paid by Ranchers Beverage Co
• Credit for company clothing merchandise at hire
• Annual safety clothing & equipment stipend
• Company merchandise and beer discounts

Equal Employment Opportunity

Ranchers Beverage Co strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.