Production Associate

Aerotek; Mitchellville (IA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

PTO / Leave

Job summary

Aerotek is hiring a Production Associate for a floater role at a Mitchellville, IA facility. The position supports a fast-paced food manufacturing operation, moving between production areas and focusing on packing dry products like hot chocolate and punch packets.

Expect hands-on work with machines and packing lines, in a safety-conscious environment. The role emphasizes teamwork, reliability, and adherence to FDA standards, with shifts typically on first shift and potential for additional

Qualifications

• 1+ years in a fast-paced manufacturing or production facility.
• 1+ years of packing, packaging, or machine operation experience.
• 1–2 years in factory/production with meeting deadlines.
• Able to lift 30–50 pounds repeatedly.
• Experience with production, packaging, mixing, batching tasks.
• Able to visually inspect products and packaging for quality.

Responsibilities

• Float across multiple production areas as needed to support operations.
• Pack cases of dry and powdered foods per standards.
• Operate or assist with machine operations, including start/stop and monitoring.
• Perform general labor tasks including batching and mixing.
• Conduct visual quality checks on products and packaging.

Skills

Fast-paced production

Packing & packaging

Machine operation

Team collaboration

PPE compliance

Physical stamina

Food safety awareness

Attention to detail

Forklift operation

Equipment cleaning & setup

Tools

Forklift operation

Packaging equipment

Job description

Job Title: Production Associate

Job Description

The Production Associate supports a fast-paced food manufacturing operation by performing a variety of production, packaging, and machine-related tasks. This is a floater-style position, meaning you will move between different areas of the production floor based on operational needs and will ultimately be placed in the role where you perform best. You will initially focus on packing cases with dry products such as hot chocolate packets and punch packets while leveraging your prior experience in packing and machine operation.

Responsibilities

• Work as a floater across multiple production areas, adapting to different tasks and equipment based on daily operational needs.
• Pack cases with dry and powdered food products such as hot chocolate packets, punch packets, and similar items according to production standards.
• Operate or assist with machine operation as needed, including starting, stopping, and monitoring equipment to maintain consistent output and quality.
• Perform general production and general labor tasks, including batching, mixing, and handling materials on the production floor.
• Conduct visual inspections of products and packaging to ensure quality, accuracy, and adherence to food safety and FDA standards.
• Follow established production schedules and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high productivity.
• Continuously lift and move materials and products weighing 30 to 50 pounds throughout the shift.
• Work collaboratively with a team of 3–4 colleagues on assigned machines or production lines to achieve daily production goals.
• Adhere strictly to food safety, cleanliness, and FDA-compliant procedures when working with dry and powdered food products.
• Follow all safety protocols, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab coats, steel-toed boots, hair and beard nets, ear protection, and eye protection.
• Maintain an organized and clean work area to support efficient production and compliance with facility standards.
• Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors regarding production issues, equipment concerns, and process improvements.

Essential Skills

• 1+ years of experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing or production facility.
• 1+ years of experience with picking and packaging or machine operation in a production environment.
• 1–2 years of factory or production experience, including meeting production deadlines.
• Proven ability to perform fast-paced labor while continuously lifting 30 to 50 pounds.
• Hands-on experience with production, packaging, mixing, batching, and general production tasks.
• Ability to perform visual inspection of products and packaging to ensure quality and compliance.
• Experience with general labor tasks in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Comfort working around and, when needed, operating production machinery.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small team on the production floor.
• Reliability and consistency in attendance and punctuality to support production schedules.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with forklift operation in a production or warehouse environment.
• Experience in bakery or food production settings is beneficial.
• Familiarity with batching processes for food or powdered products.
• Ability to adapt quickly to different roles and tasks as a floater within the facility.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining food safety and quality standards.
• Comfort working in warm and dusty environments associated with dry and powdered food processing.
• Willingness to wear required PPE, including lab coats, steel-toed boots, hair and beard nets, ear and eye protection.

Why Work Here?

You will join a highly tenured and stable production team where many employees have built long-term careers, contributing to a supportive and knowledgeable work culture. The environment values reliability, teamwork, and continuous improvement, offering the opportunity to learn multiple aspects of food production through a floater-style role. You benefit from structured shifts, clear expectations, and a workplace that adheres to established standards for safety and quality, creating a professional setting where you can grow your skills over time.

Work Environment

This role is based on a true production floor that packages dry and powdered food products sold to major food service companies. You will work near large machines that generate heat, so the environment can be warm, and it can be dusty due to cocoa powder, sugar, and other fine food dusts associated with the packaging process. As a food packaging facility, the operation follows specific FDA standards, and cleanliness and safety are prioritized. You will typically work with a small team of 3–4 people on or around each machine. Dress code includes lab coats, steel-toed boots, hair and beard nets, and ear and eye protection; all protective items except steel-toed boots are provided. The position is primarily on first shift, with regular hours such as 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 5:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., and the facility is currently operating 10-hour days Monday through Thursday to meet production goals, with additional second shift opportunities available for mixer and utility roles.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Mitchellville, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.54 - $24.79/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mitchellville,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.