Production Operator

Novonesis; Blair (NE); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

3 weeks vacation + 12 holidays + 2 Wel

Wellness time

Health, dental, vision & life

HSA

Employee assistance program

Parental leave

Benefits start day one

Job summary

Novonesis, a biotechnology manufacturing company in Blair, NE, is seeking a Production Operator for the Fermentation Department. You will help ensure safety, quality, and compliance while preparing materials, operating processing equipment, and performing minor repairs.

The role requires physical stamina and comfort working around heavy machinery in a 12-hour day/night rotation. The position offers competitive hourly pay with a $3 night differential and Sunday pay, plus comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years of industrial manufacturing experience preferred.
• Proficient computer literacy.
• Ability to move around the factory and outdoor surroundings, including lifting up to 60 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Preparing raw materials.
• Troubleshooting equipment.
• Operating plant processing computers.
• Making minor repairs and replacing parts.
• Testing materials for quality and compliance.

Skills

Industrial manufacturing experience

Computer literacy

Physical stamina

Safety-minded

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Interested in a career that matters?

Join us as our new Production Operator in the Fermentation Department. Our Production Operators at Novonesis are skilled workers tasked with setting up, monitoring, and maintaining equipment and processes in our industrial biotechnology factory. Our industrial biotechnology factory uses microbes (living organisms found in nature) to produce BioSolutions—enzymes produced by fermenting and feeding microbes—and proteins used as food ingredients. These BioSolutions support a wide range of industries, including food, household care, animal nutrition, and biofuels.

The Role & Your Impact

In this role, you’ll ensure safety, quality, and compliance of our production processes. Daily responsibilities include:

• Preparing raw materials
• Troubleshooting equipment
• Operating plant processing computers
• Making minor repairs and replacing parts
• Testing materials for quality and compliance

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 3+ years of industrial manufacturing experience preferred
• Proficient computer literacy
• Ability to move freely around the factory and outdoor surroundings, including pushing, pulling, kneeling, and squatting
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds unassisted
• Ability to manually manipulate and operate equipment and tools (e.g., turning valves, aligning hoses)
• Use of PPE including uniform, hard hat, eye protection, ear protection, hair net, beard net, and respirator
• Ability to climb stairs and work at heights (ladders, platforms, tanks)
• Ability to enter and work in confined spaces
• Ability to pass a written test for certification purposes

Ways of Working / Working Conditions

Schedule:

• 12-hour shifts alternating between days & nights every 2 weeks (6:30–7:00 am/pm)
• 2‑2‑3 rotation:
  • Week 1: Work Mon–Tue, off Wed–Thu, work Fri–Sun
  • Week 2: Off Mon–Tue, work Wed–Thu, off Fri–Sun

Additional Information

• Overtime is frequently available
• Mandatory Certification program with promotion opportunities to Operator II and Senior Operator

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Pay:

• $25.05 base rate
• $3/hr night shift differential
• 1.5× Sunday pay rate

Benefits you will enjoy:

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
• Minimum of 3 weeksofvacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Healthcare savings accountoption
• Employeeassistanceprogram
• Parental leave
• All benefits begin on your first day

Relevant Information

Application Deadline: October 25, 2026

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we’ve gotten so far. And it’s how we’ll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.