Production Associate - Prep

Special-Lite; Decatur (MI); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Ins.

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement/Educational Aid

Performance and Holiday Bonuses

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Parental Leave

Paid Overtime

Job summary

Special-Lite in Decatur, MI is seeking a Production Associate for Prep to assemble doors and entryways to customer specifications. You’ll support safety, quality, and teamwork while working with CNC equipment, hand tools, and measurement devices on the production floor.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED, basic math and measurement skills, and the ability to lift up to 70 pounds with assistance. Previous manufacturing experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Must read and follow written, oral, or diagram instructions.
• Basic math and measurement skills are required.
• Familiar with using basic hand and power tools.
• Capable of lifting up to 70 pounds with assistance.
• Experience with manufacturing or assembly is preferred.
• Blueprint or template reading is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety guidelines on the production floor.
• Assemble custom-made doors following templates and instructions.
• Operate upstream equipment and CNC machines to facilitate product flow.
• Use hand tools and measurement devices to ensure quality.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities with the team.

Skills

Safety-conscious tool use

Basic mechanical comprehension

Read and follow instructions

Measurement and math skills

Read tape measure to 1/32"

Team player

Basic computer skills

Lift 50-70 lbs with assistance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CNC equipment

Job description

Job Description

Join the Special-Lite team to help us drive growth through relationships as strong and dependable as our products! Our engineered, made-to-order architectural products are used in new construction and renovation projects for educational, commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal applications. Special-Lite is looking for a Production Associate to join our team in Prep at our Decatur location. In this role, you'll help with duties related to the production of our custom doors and entryways while supporting a culture of safety, quality, and teamwork. Your Blueprint for Success: Safety First - Ensuring all work is done following our safety guidelines. Assemble with Care - Use your mechanical talents to assemble custom-made doors following templates and instructions. Work with your team to troubleshoot issues and produce the highest quality product possible. Team Support - Operate upstream equipment and processes to facilitate product flow and feed downstream activities. Work with CNC equipment, hand tools, and various measurement devices. Continually Improve - Participate in various continuous improvement activities, lending your voice to the creative problem-solving process. Position Requirements: A qualified individual with a disability must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Knowledge of safe operation of basic hand and power tools.
• Basic mechanical comprehension and abilities.
• Ability to read, comprehend and carry out instructions in written, oral, and/or diagram form.
• Skills to measure and perform mathematical computations, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
• Lift 50-70lbs with assistance.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Basic knowledge of computers.
• Ability to read a tape measure down to a 1/32".
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Previous manufacturing, assembly, or construction experience.
• Blueprint or template reading.
• Physical Requirements:
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate office equipment, and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to talk and hear.
• Required to stand and walk.
• Required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 70 pounds with assistance.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Special-Lite will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work Environment:
• Safety glasses are always required on the production floor.
• Hearing protection is required in designated areas.
• Benefits at Special-Lite: A competitive salary and opportunities to advance in your career are just the beginning. Special-Lite offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Performance and Holiday Bonuses
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Tuition Reimbursement/Educational Assistance and Professional Development Support
• Parental Leave
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• 4 10-hour schedule
• Paid Overtime

About Special-Lite: We manufacture custom door, frame, and interior solutions for new construction and retrofit projects across educational, commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal applications - combining hands-on craftsmanship with advanced technology to deliver exceptional quality, performance, and reliability. Built to last in high usage and challenging environments, our high-quality and made-to-order solutions are unique in the industry. The products we build welcome, protect, and enhance spaces across the U.S. and beyond. You would probably recognize more than a few of our famous customers. As one of the largest volume producers of commercial FRP doors, you may have even already walked through one of our solutions. For more than 55 years, we have been driven to grow through relationships as strong as our products. We are committed to the success of our employees, our customers, and our communities. We stand behind our products with passion and excellent customer service. People. Passion. Performance. Visit special-lite.com to learn more.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Special Lite Inc

We don't just build doors—we build careers. For more than 50 years, we've been a leader in manufacturing and engineering architectural products for new construction and replacement installations. Our commercial entrance systems, restroom partitions, and interior products feature a unique blend of hands‑on craftsmanship, cutting‑edge technology, customization, and innovative design. The result? Products built to last and a life‑long career to match. When you join Special-Lite, you become part of a team that values quality, creativity, and personal commitment. We believe in doing things the right way, not the easy way, and we take pride in building products that help make spaces safer, easier to maintain, more productive, healthier, and inspiring.