Production General Utility - 1st Shift

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.; Carthage (MO); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. in Carthage, MO is seeking an entry-level Production General Utility for 1st shift to support the line with inspection, packing, and palletizing tasks.

The role emphasizes safety, GMP adherence, and teamwork in a fast-paced plant environment. Prior food manufacturing experience is preferred but not required; willingness to learn is essential. This position offers hands-on training, opportunities for growth, and exposure to multiple packaging operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; ability to follow GMP and safety procedures.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods.
• Experience in food manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Inspect pre-cooked or post-cooked products entering/exiting cookers.
• Monitor pack-off area and stack finished cases on pallets.
• Maintain line sanitation and monitor packing equipment.
• Ensure correct pallet labels and proper bag/box sealing.
• Follow GMP and safety policies; communicate production issues.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Fast-paced

Safety compliance

Education

High School or GED

Job description

Production General Utility - 1st Shift

US-MO-Carthage

Job ID: 2026-10488

Type: Regular Full-Time

# of Openings: 3

Carthage Plant

Overview

This entry-level position involves the inspection of pre-cooked or post-cooked food products entering or exiting the cooker, monitoring frozen products in the pack-off area, and stacking finished product cases onto specified pallets.

Responsibilities

• Employee Physical Responsibilities:
  • Manually assemble and/or pack product meeting line standards.
  • Lift and move cases weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Check packaging material for damage and notify Lead of any non-compliant products.
  • Perform line sanitations / housekeeping practices and monitor packing equipment for potential issues to be referred to a Lead.
  • Ensure correct pallet label and sticker information is applied, stack cases on pallets, and ensure proper sealing of bags and boxes.
  • Understand different case pack sizes and weight ranges, adjusting tape machine configurations accordingly.
  • Maintain speed and flexibility to adapt to different line speeds and case standards.
  • Performs all other work as assigned.
• Employee Communication Responsibilities:
  • Demonstrate consistent respectful communication with all team members.
  • Communicate any production issues to team members, demonstrating understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Sanitation Practices (GSP).
  • Participate in break rotations, write legibly, and collaborate effectively with team members.
  • Inspect products to ensure compliance with quality standards specified by QC, disposing of non-compliant products and communicating with leadership as needed.
• Employee Safety Responsibilities:
  • Adhere to company standards and safety regulations.
  • Report all injuries, unsafe conditions and acts.
  • Use proper lifting techniques.
  • Use mechanical assistance (handjack, forklift, manlift).
  • Use personal assistance (team lift for product above 50lb.).
  • Use handrails.
  • Use and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable and self-driven
• Experience in a food manufacturing plant is preferred
• Good communication skills

Qualifications

The working conditions of this job require the employee to frequently be exposed to wet, humid, and extremely cold conditions. Employee is occasionally exposed to vibration and the noise level can be moderate. To protect against these conditions, frequent use of personal protective equipment is required.

High School or GED preferred.

Physical Demands Hardcoded

• Sit: Frequent
• Stand: Frequent
• Walk: Frequent
• Lift: Frequent
• Bend/Twist: Frequent
• Reach: Frequent
• Vision - Close vision and the ability to adjust focus: Constant

Other Physical Demands or Working Conditions

• The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, normally at waist level and sometimes at shoulder level.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Continuously required to stand.
• Occasional walking, reaching and working above shoulders, body bending, stooping, climbing stairs, body twisting/rotating, and driving a pallet jack.
• Will be exposed to loud industrial type environments commonly found at plants and working with powered equipment.
• Varied temperatures from hot and humid to very cold. Temperatures throughout plant average 50 degrees.
• May be required to wear bump caps, safety glasses, hairnet, smock, boots, ear plugs, gloves, plastic sleeves, and aprons provided by the Company.

AAP/EEO Statement

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI288028652