Production Operator - 3rd Shift

Production Operator – 3rd Shift

Location: Carpentersville, IL 60110

Duration: 6-month contract with potential for full-time conversion

Schedule: Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 PM–7:30 AM Central Time; overtime shifts may run from 7:00 PM–7:00 AM

Hours: 40 hours per week, with overtime and weekend availability required as needed

Compensation: $20.48–$22.75 per hour

Employment Type: W2 (not open to C2C, 1099, or visa sponsorship)

Role Overview

Our client is seeking a hands-on Production Operator to support manufacturing operations in a fast-paced, dusty production environment. This position involves operating equipment, completing product changeovers, cleaning machinery, packaging finished materials, managing raw materials, and maintaining accurate production records. The role requires strong safety awareness, mechanical aptitude, physical stamina, and the ability to follow established operating and lockout/tagout procedures. Candidates will complete an onsite interview, facility tour, panel interview, and physical assessment as part of the selection and onboarding process.

Responsibilities

• Follow all safety policies, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Participate in safety talks, behavioral safety observations, audits, and other safety-related activities.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment.
• Complete equipment changeovers and disassemble, assemble, and clean machinery.
• Follow daily production schedules and immediately report unresolved quality or equipment issues.
• Stage packaging areas and manually load materials weighing 55 pounds or more into equipment.
• Bag, box, label, and prepare finished products for shipment and distribution.
• Operate forklifts to transport raw materials and finished products to designated areas.
• Use hand tools to degate, deflash, or otherwise prepare manufactured materials.
• Organize, handle, weigh, and measure raw materials.
• Perform standard quality-control tests and accurately record production data.
• Follow standard operating procedures and lockout/tagout requirements.
• Complete preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor equipment repairs when assigned.
• Dispose of trash and production waste using compactors or dumpsters.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and properly store tools and equipment.
• Work overtime or extended 12-hour shifts to cover staffing needs, vacations, or production demands.
• Train on first shift from 7:00 AM–3:30 PM during the initial training period before transitioning to the assigned third shift.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least six months of production or manufacturing experience.
• Ability to read and interpret work instructions, safety procedures, and operating documents.
• Ability to write routine documentation and communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Basic mathematics and computer skills.
• Ability to follow written and verbal operating and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team.
• Ability to multitask and support other personnel and departments as needed.
• Reliable attendance and availability to work overtime or weekends on short notice.
• Ability to stand for up to 12 hours.
• Ability to walk, climb stairs, bend, kneel, twist, and lift at least 55 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally climb ladders and work at elevated heights.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor conditions that may include heat, cold, dust, strong odors, and loud noise.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including long pants, long sleeves, steel-toed boots, gloves, a hard hat, safety goggles, hearing protection, and a dust mask when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mechanical aptitude or experience troubleshooting manufacturing equipment.
• Forklift operating experience.
• Experience performing equipment changeovers or preventive maintenance.
• Experience using SAP or a similar manufacturing system.
• Experience handling, weighing, and measuring raw materials.