Packing Machine Operator

Fresh Express Salads; Streamwood (IL); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 30,307,200; Full time

Job summary

Fresh Express Salads in Illinois is seeking a Packaging Machine Operator to monitor and operate packaging lines, ensuring products meet specifications and quality standards. The role requires attention to detail, adherence to safety, and teamwork.

Schedule Monday to Saturday 5:30 am to 4:00 pm. Responsibilities include machine setup, programming, quality checks, logs, and coordination with sanitation and QA staff.

Qualifications

• Understand and execute actions from verbal and visual instructions.
• Team player with respectful conduct.
• Experience in food manufacturing is a plus but not required.
• Steel-toed shoes are required.
• Available to work Monday–Saturday.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Polish is a plus.
• Must be 18 years old and eligible to work in the US.
• Aptitude for math, problem-solving, computers, and mechanics.
• Attention to detail and good communication.
• Proficiency with hand tools and knowledge of high-speed machinery.

Responsibilities

• Program machines using keyboard and terminal for size, weight, codes and dates.
• Verify machine setup after sanitation and ensure proper function.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Ensure products meet customer specifications.
• Report and record hourly production updates.
• Perform quality checks: oxygen testing, cut quality, blend ratio, volume, seal integrity, temperature, code dates, and barcode readability.
• Document all results and actions in logs.
• Follow daily production schedule and adapt to changes.
• Communicate quality issues to appropriate personnel.

Skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Bilingual English/Spanish

Monday-Saturday availability

Steel toe boots

Eligible to work in the US

Math/problem solving

Job description

A Packaging Machine Operator is responsible for monitoring and operating machinery ensuring product is being produced to specifications and standards.

Schedule: Monday to Saturday: 5:30 am to 4:00 pm

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for programming machines using keyboard and terminal for the proper size, weight, codes and dates for each bag produced and run.
• Verify set up of machine; verify that the machine has been properly put back together from sanitation crew along with scales and their proper function.
• Maintain a clean and organized working environment.
• Ensure that the products are safe and meet the customer specifications.
• Communicate quality issues of raw product or finished goods to the appropriate personnel.
• Responsible for machine set‑up, general machine operation and changeovers.
• Responsible for the completion of all paperwork including, but not limited to, dump logs, chemical logs, downtime logs, blade inspection sheets and line staffing sheets.
• Follow and complete the daily production schedule, including changes that may occur during the course of the day.
• Report and record hourly production updates.
• Responsible to perform the following product quality checks:
• Percent oxygen testing (salad plant only)
• Cut quality and blend ratio evaluation.
• Total volume testing (salad plant only)
• Package weight monitoring.
• Seal integrity (leakers testing)
• Finished package temperature monitoring.
• Code date verification.
• Bar code readability verification.
• Documentation of all results and actions.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• Must be able to understand and execute actions based on verbal and visual instructions.
• Work in a respectful manner and be a team player.
• Experience working in food industry or manufacturing is a plus but not necessary.
• Steel toed shoes.
• Available to work a Monday - Saturday schedule.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Polish is a plus.
• Must be 18 years of age and eligible to work in the US.

Requirements

• Aptitude for math, problem-solving, computers, and mechanics.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work and communicate with others.
• Proficiency with hand tools.
• Knowledge of diverse high‑speed machinery and measurement tools.

Other Information

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed, as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.