Production Materials Specialist (Food Manufacturing)

Production Materials Specialist (Food Manufacturing)

Location: Romeoville

Department: Production

Reports to: Production Shift Supervisor

A day in the role

You arrive at your station on time, check your PPE (including knit, cotton, or blue plastic gloves when required), and walk the line. You set up the sauce pump so the first batch is ready, stage raw and dry ingredients to keep minimum levels on hand, and confirm that labels match the correct SKU. Throughout the shift, you log material usage, return unused items with accurate weights per food safety procedures, and keep your area clean and organized. When pallets are ready, you palletize to the Bill of Materials (BOM), fill out and place pallet tags (keeping a copy), wrap each pallet with shrink wrap four times at waist height, and move it by pallet jack to the pickup area. If a printer needs attention, you jump in to replace labels and ribbons, remove damaged pallets from circulation, and notify the Line Lead any time you must step away. You monitor line speed and product consistency, inspect equipment for operational or mechanical issues, take corrective action when appropriate, or escalate to supervision/management.

Purpose and impact

This role applies foundational production and material handling skills to keep the line running smoothly and safely. You’ll follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), adapt techniques as needed, and help ensure product quality, food safety, and legality. You will uphold the requirements of the BRC Global Standard Food Safety Issue 9.

Training and validation

You’ll complete a structured training program that explains how training is delivered and establishes exit criteria. Your proficiency will be verified through written, verbal, and/or hands-on demonstrations to confirm comprehension and compliance.

What you’ll handle

• Set up and operate sauce pump equipment.
• Supply raw and dry materials to production lines; maintain required minimums.
• Accurately log material usage and return items with correct weights following food safety protocols.
• Follow company GMPs and wear appropriate PPE.
• Use only sound wooden pallets; do not step on pallets.
• Verify labels and SKUs; change labels/ribbons when needed.
• Palletize cases per BOM, complete pallet tags (one on pallet, one retained), and shrink wrap with four passes at waist level.
• Move finished pallets with a pallet jack to the pickup area.
• Remove broken pallets from circulation.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area.
• Notify the Line Lead if you must leave the line.
• Comply with Production/Packaging procedures; inspect the manufacturing line for operational/mechanical issues and take corrective action or notify supervision/management.
• Support other areas as needed; maintain line speed and consistency.
• Perform other duties as assigned or volunteered.

Food Safety and Quality

• Report any issues related to food safety or quality to supervision and/or Quality Assurance.
• Report any risks or any evidence of unsafe or out-of-specification product, equipment, packaging or raw materials to a designated manager to enable the resolution of issues requiring immediate attention.

Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma or GED; three (3) years of related experience/training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred: Bilingual – English/Spanish.

Proficiencies

• Warehouse operations
• Material handling
• Distribution workflows
• Weighing raw materials
• Manufacturing environment experience

Physical Requirements (verbatim) Physical Requirements *The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * 1. While performing the duties of this job, employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands, handle or feel objects. Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Ability to lift up to 50lbs.