Plant Production Operator

Compass Minerals; Lyons (KS); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Minerals is seeking a Plant Production Operator to operate bagging machines and a forklift, ensuring accurate bag filling and efficient production flow at our facility. You will monitor quality, weights, date codes, and bag sealing while maintaining safety and sanitation standards for a safe, productive environment.

The role requires standing for long periods, lifting up to 80 pounds, and performing routine housekeeping and preventive maintenance on equipment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Ability to stand for long periods during production.
• Ability to lift up to 80 pounds and move items.
• Familiarity with sanitation and housekeeping practices.

Responsibilities

• Inspect manual bagging machine at start of production run.
• Verify machine settings for bag size and date codes.
• Set up bagging machine for next shift.
• Monitor bagging area for cleanliness and safety.
• Record checks, weights, and materials used.
• Operate forklift as needed.
• Perform preventive maintenance using basic tools.

Skills

Physical stamina

Lift heavy objects

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

On The Job The Employee

(F) Bend (R) Sit

We invite you to Explore the Potential of being part of something Clearly Essential! Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) is a leading global provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature’s challenges for customers and communities. The company’s salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial, chemical and agricultural applications. Its plant nutrition products help improve the quality and yield of crops while supporting sustainable agriculture. Compass Minerals operates 12 production and packaging facilities with more than 1,800 employees throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Visit compassminerals.com for more information about the company and its products.

Summary

The Plant Production Operator is responsible for operating bagging machines that fill bags with salt product and operate a forklift.

Essential Job Functions include, but are not limited to the following:

(Management reserves the right to add or modify the duties and responsibilities at any time.)

• Inspect manual bagging machine at beginning of production run.


• Check that machine settings and standards are correct for bag size.


• Change and set up date codes.


• Select proper product for production run.


• Manually hang bag and press lever to fill.


• Manually pick up full bag and place on pallet.


• Monitor products for correct amount in bags, weight, quality of content, correct date code on every bag, and correct bag sealing.


• Monitor manual bagging machine for proper functioning and report problems to Maintenance or Shift Supervisor.


• Monitor bagging area for cleanliness and perform housekeeping as required.


• Perform preventive maintenance on bagging machine using hand tools and lubricants.


• Set up bagging machine for next shift.


• Record checks performed, weights and number of materials used.


• Perform housekeeping in accordance with the Master Sanitation Schedule


• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And/or Experience

• A high school diploma or GED is required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions (See ADA Requirements below).

• Stand for long periods of time during production run.


• Lift up to 80 pounds and move item short distances.


• Pull trash receptacles.


• Push levers, brooms and shovels.


• Climb ladders to bins and multiple flights of stairs between floors of the building throughout the day.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Environmental conditions in different parts of the plant can include extreme heat and cold, wet and humid conditions, noise, vibration, exposure to dust and poor ventilation.


• Hazardous conditions include moving parts, potential electrical shock, and slick floors.


• PPE including hard hat, steel-toed shoes with meta-tarsal guards, ear plugs, and safety glasses are required at all times.

ADA Requirements

Physical

Mental

Environmental

On The Job The Employee Must

On the job the employee must be able to:

On The Job The Employee

• (F) Bend (R) Sit


• (F) Read/comprehend


• (F) Is exposed to excessive noise


• (R) Squat (F) Stand


• (O) Write


• (F) Is around moving machinery


• (R) Crawl (F) Walk


• (O) Perform calculations


• (F) Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity


• (O) Climb (F) Push/Pull


• (O) Communicate orally


• (F) Is exposed to dust, fumes, and/or gases


• (R) Kneel


• (O) Reason and analyze


• (R) Drives motorized equipment


• (F) Handle objects (manual dexterity)


• ( ) Other ________________


• (R) Works in confined quarters


• (R) Reach above shoulder level


• ( ) Other __________________


• (O) Use fine finger movements


• ( ) Other _________________

Must Carry/lift Loads Of

• (F) Light (up to 25lbs.)


• (F) Moderate (25-50lbs.)


• (F) Heavy (over 50lbs.)

Compass Minerals is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are firmly committed to making all employment-related decisions without regard to race, ancestry, ethnicity, color, religious creed or belief, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy and breastfeeding), age, military or veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law. Learn more about equal employment opportunity laws atdol.gov. July 2025