Production Operator

Post Holdings, Inc.; Meadville (Crawford County); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Post Consumer Brands, a unit of Post Holdings, Inc., seeks a Production Operator at its Meadville, PA facility to operate and monitor production equipment, stage materials, support changeovers, and maintain records for safety and quality. The starting pay is $23.00 per hour, plus shift differential, with opportunities tied to skill progression.

The Meadville plant employs roughly 290 team members in a 135,000-square-foot facility, producing iconic pet food brands and other products.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Six months to one year of manufacturing or related experience is a plus.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to learn production equipment.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and established work procedures.
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Ability to use basic hand and power tools.
• Strong teamwork and professional communication skills.
• Ability to solve entry-level operating problems.
• Dependable work history and acceptable attendance.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including extended standing and walking, climbing and kneeling, repetitive movement, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in conditions that may include heat, humidity, ladders, confined spaces, and heights of up to 30 feet.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production and distribution equipment and processes.
• Stage required materials and ingredients so they are available when needed.
• Support efficient equipment changeovers.
• Respond safely to operating issues, including product diversions, jams, equipment starts and stops, and recurring failure patterns.
• Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions following production interruptions.
• Perform Basic Equipment Care tasks accurately and on time.
• Load and change packaging materials and operate basic production systems.
• Follow standard operating procedures, food safety requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices, and SQF requirements.
• Safely operate material-handling and inventory equipment, including scan guns, forklifts, pallet jacks, and scissor lifts.
• Clean and sanitize production equipment and work areas.
• Record information related to waste, downtime, production efficiency, and other required measures.
• Help train and coach team members who are learning new equipment, processes, or procedures.
• Support plant safety, food safety, quality, and environmental practices.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Learn production equipment

Basic math

Computer skills

Hand & power tools

Teamwork

Professional communication

Problem solving

Attention to attendance

English communication

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Basic hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Business Unit Overview

Headquartered in Lakeville, Minn., Post Consumer Brands, a business unit of Post Holdings, Inc., is dedicated to providing people and their pets with delicious food choices for every taste and budget. The company's portfolio includes beloved brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats™, PEBBLES™, Grape-Nuts™ and Malt-O-Meal™ cereal and Peter Pan™ peanut butter, as well as Rachael Ray® Nutrish™, Kibbles 'n Bits™ and 9Lives™ dog and cat food. Post also provides private label solutions to customers in pet food, cereal, nut butters and granola. As a company committed to high standards of quality and to our values, we are driven by one idea: To make lives better by making delicious food accessible for all. For more information about our brands, visit www.postconsumerbrands.com and follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook for the latest news.

Location Description

The Meadville, Pennsylvania facility is 135,000 square feet and home to about 290 hard working team members who are proud to produce iconic pet food brands like Rachael Ray® Nutrish®. Located along the banks of French Creek in Northwestern Pennsylvania and 45 minutes from Pittsburgh, Meadville is home to more than 13,000 full time residents and 2,000 Allegheny College students. Meadville is an active center for business, industry, education, the arts, recreation, service and tourism. Conneaut Lake, Pymatuning State Park and the Erie National Wildlife Refuge are wonderful places to appreciate the area's natural beauty.

Responsibilities

Production Operator

Big Company Opportunity. Small Company Attitude.

About the Role

As a Production Operator at our Meadville, Pennsylvania facility, you will operate and monitor production equipment, stage materials, support changeovers, and help keep production lines supplied and running. You will also respond to routine operating issues, record production information, and support the food safety and quality practices that protect our products and customers.

Starting pay is $23.00 per hour, plus shift differential, with pay opportunities tied to skill progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production and distribution equipment and processes.
• Stage required materials and ingredients so they are available when needed.
• Support efficient equipment changeovers.
• Respond safely to operating issues, including product diversions, jams, equipment starts and stops, and recurring failure patterns.
• Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions following production interruptions.
• Perform Basic Equipment Care tasks accurately and on time.
• Load and change packaging materials and operate basic production systems.
• Follow standard operating procedures, food safety requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices, and SQF requirements.
• Safely operate material-handling and inventory equipment, including scan guns, forklifts, pallet jacks, and scissor lifts.
• Clean and sanitize production equipment and work areas.
• Record information related to waste, downtime, production efficiency, and other required measures.
• Help train and coach team members who are learning new equipment, processes, or procedures.
• Support plant safety, food safety, quality, and environmental practices.

See the work on our youtube page! https://youtu.be/j-JtYR24eA8?si=rd5wZLKZ9mwK0V8Y

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED.
• Six months to one year of manufacturing or related experience is a plus.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to learn production equipment.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and established work procedures.
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Ability to use basic hand and power tools.
• Strong teamwork and professional communication skills.
• Ability to solve entry-level operating problems.
• Dependable work history and acceptable attendance.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including extended standing and walking, climbing and kneeling, repetitive movement, and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in conditions that may include heat, humidity, ladders, confined spaces, and heights of up to 30 feet.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• Your work matters. You will help create pet food products that families trust.
• You can grow your skills. Build hands-on experience with equipment, production processes, troubleshooting, and Basic Equipment Care.
• You will be part of a team. Collaborate, communicate, and share responsibility for keeping production moving.
• Safety and quality come first. Contribute directly to safe operations, food safety, and consistent product quality.
• You can make your mark. Enjoy big company opportunities in an inviting, people-focused workplace culture.

Location & Work Environment

This is a regular, full-time, on-site position at the Post Consumer Brands facility in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The 135,000-square-foot facility is home to approximately 290 team members and produces pet food brands including Rachael Ray® Nutrish®.

Ready to Make an Impact

Bring your mechanical curiosity, problem-solving mindset, and commitment to safety to a team that helps feed furry family members across the country. If you are ready to learn, contribute, and build your manufacturing career,