Plant Production Operator

Compass Minerals; Lyons (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Minerals is seeking a Plant Production Operator responsible for running bagging machinery that fills salt products and for operating a forklift. The role requires attention to bag quality, weights, date codes, and machine performance.

The position involves starting up the bagging line, monitoring output, and ensuring a clean, safe production area in accordance with sanitation schedules. Lifting requirements and a high school diploma are expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Ability to operate a manual bagging machine and forklift.
• Attention to weight, content, date codes, and bag quality during production.

Responsibilities

• Inspect the manual bagging machine at the start of production.
• Set up or change machine settings for bag size and date codes.
• Select product for each production run and bag products.
• Hang bags and press lever to fill; place full bags on pallets.
• Monitor bag counts, weight, quality, and date codes in every bag.
• Report machine issues to Maintenance or Shift Supervisor.
• Maintain cleanliness in the bagging area and perform housekeeping as required.
• Perform preventive maintenance on the bagging machine with hand tools and lubricants.
• Record checks, weights, and materials used.
• Perform duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Forklift operation

Bagging machine operation

Quality inspection

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Job description

Summary

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

Essential Job Functions

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. 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

• 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

• 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

To comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, the following table identifies the physical, mental and environmental conditions of the Essential Duties of the job identified above using the following codes: F for frequently; O for occasionally; R for rarely; N for not at all.

On the Job: Physical and Cognitive Requirements

• (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.)

Equal Employment Opportunity

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