Production Operator

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 25,117 - 35,772; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Bonuses

Job summary

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream is seeking a production-focused team member for their fast-paced manufacturing line in the United States. You will support line operations to hit daily production targets while upholding quality, hygiene, and food safety standards.

The role emphasizes disciplined, clean working areas, adherence to SOPs, and effective shift handovers. Candidates should have basic math and problem-solving skills, with a High School diploma or GED and prior related experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• One-year related experience (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Ensure areas are clean, organized and disciplined.
• Operate to standard operating procedures in area assigned.
• Maintain water usage and use the clean as you go principle.
• Ensure effective handover with the next shift.
• Drive the production process to meet customer specifications, quality and food safety.
• Control manufacturing process to meet outputs.
• Communicate effectively with the team.
• Maintain health and safety requirements and positive safety culture.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Interpersonal communication

Math skills

Problem solving

Multi-shift flexibility

High school diploma

Related experience

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Are you looking to catapult your career by driving high‑impact transformation with household brands? Do you crave an entrepreneurial, fast‑paced, and engaging growth assignment working with incredible people from across the globe?

At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, we are excited to start a new chapter of accelerated growth as part of Froneri – a global pure‑play ice cream leader. Come help us transform DGIC into the #1 ice cream brand! With nearly 100 years of winning experience in the U.S, a robust portfolio of powerhouse brands that consumers know and love such as Häagen‑Dazs, Drumstick, Dreyer’s & Edy’s, Skinny Cow and Outshine, and the backing and coaching of European‑based ice cream experts, we know we have the winning recipe.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, the Bay Area’s hub for up‑and‑coming food trends, our teams across our offices and factories are raising the bar on all things ice cream. We are investing in significant capital expansions to grow our Operations and Supply Chain and are transforming how we work at every level to become agile, accelerate growth and elevate our quality. With a renewed focus on frozen treats, our tight‑knit team of ambitious innovators are fully immersed in the business and encouraged to flex and make decisions quickly. We are committed to pursuing every great idea and delivering the best ice cream experience for our consumers, when and where they want it.

Unleash your potential at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream and discover what a sweet career we have in store for you.

Main Purpose Of The Job

Effective and consistent support of the line you are assigned to. Always working to achieve production targets through effective interaction with the team. A good understanding of the machinery & ensuring you achieve the desired results in terms of Quality, Safety, Hygiene and Waste. This will be achieved through having the knowledge and understanding of the assigned position on the line. Attention to detail and always operating within the required parameters of your area.

Role and Activity

• To ensure your areas are clean, always organized and operating under discipline
• Operate to standard operating procedures in area assigned
• Ensure limited water is used when cleaning with “clean as you go” principle
• Ensure effective hand over with the next shift.
• To drive the production process to ensure that the products produced meet customer specification, quality and food safety.
• To ensure production meets targeted outputs through effective control of the manufacturing process
• To communicate effectively with the entire team
• Ensure health and safety requirements are fully met and a positive safety culture is maintained throughout the line
• Ensure you walk the talk always using the looking eyes, attend to the issues as and when they happen
• Following the principle of “will I do this to my home?”
• Represent The Froneri Way of working through the behaviors and characteristics in our Operating Model and Core Values
• Other duties as assigned

Measurable Outcomes

• Hygiene, GMP and safety audits improving week over week
• Daily, weekly, monthly production targets are fully met
• Effective interaction with the team and takes direction from Machine Operator and Management
• Quality and improvement initiatives being implemented and maintained
• De‑kitting the line

Levels Of Responsibility

• Quality and technical system adherence
• Completion of the required production to plan
• Health and Safety
• Impeccable hygiene standards always
• Clean as you go with No Ghost Busters.

Position Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older
• Aptitude for automated mechanical processes with good troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication, math and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work multiple shifts and/or schedules.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience
• One‑year related experience (preferred).

Behaviors And Core Values

We Take Ownership

• Stay committed to responsibilities from start to finish
• Make sound decisions and get into the right level of detail
• Apply resources to initiatives that add growth, improve efficiencies, or reduce waste

We Do What Is Right

• Choose transparency over convenience, even if it means difficult conversations
• Set clear roles and responsibilities, enabling everyone to exercise appropriate initiative and judgment
• Speak up when you see something that does not align to our values and policies

We Seek to Improve

• Strive to continuously improve and innovate to exceed expectations
• Value feedback from others and encourage open dialogue to understand how we can improve
• Learn from both successes and failures

We Are Better Together

• Ensure decisions are based on what’s best for the whole business
• Practice inclusion by seeking diverse perspectives
• Treat everyone with fairness and respect

Work Environment

In this position, the employee will regularly work with and around others; in a wet and/or humid environment; in areas of high noise level; and around mechanical, electrical, and pressurized equipment. The work is fast paced.

• Cold Temperatures: Parts of the facility, such as storage and production areas, may be kept at low temperatures.
  • Requires use of cold‑protective PPE.
  • May involve standing, lifting, and walking in refrigerated zones for extended periods.
• Fast‑Paced: Workers often operate under strict timelines to meet production quotas.
  • High‑speed manufacturing floor with frequent movement, line assignment changes, and tight production timelines.
• Standing for Long Hours: Many roles require prolonged standing and repetitive tasks.
  • Repetitive hand and arm movements required.
  • Must be able to stand for hours with frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Food Safety Regulations: Employees must follow hygiene and safety guidelines, including wearing protective gear (gloves, hairnets, etc.).
• Team‑Oriented: Workers collaborate to ensure smooth production and packaging.

The position involves frequent exposure to nuts and other potential allergens.

Pay & Benefits

The pay scale for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The pay range for prospective employees in this role is $22.10 per hour, with opportunities for overtime, shift differential, cold premium pay and annual bonuses (variable depending on company performance).

We offer a comprehensive group benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401K plan with employer match and annual contribution available.

Visa sponsorship not available. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or any immigration support (including STEM OPT training plan and H-1B lottery registration) for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Inc. provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.