Manufacturing Line Operator

$19.53-$27.06/hour Based on experience

Ready to Roll Up Your Sleeves and Join the Crest Crew?
Come experience the Crest Foods difference—where tradition meets innovation, and every day feels like a team celebration. Since 1946, we’ve been proudly family-operated and community-rooted, growing to nearly 700 full-time employees who bring heart, hustle, and a whole lot of fun to our state-of-the-art facilities in Ashton, Illinois.

At Crest, we don’t just make food—we make culture. And right now, we’re looking for hands-on, high-energy Line Operators who are ready to keep our production lines running smoothly and our standards sky-high. If you love working in a fast-paced environment, take pride in precision, and want to be part of a team that values your contributions, we’ve got a spot for you.

Crest Foods offers the opportunity to grow, thrive, and be part of something bigger. Let’s build something great—together.

  • Lead and coordinate daily production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.
  • Operate, monitor, and troubleshooting packaging equipment to maximize uptime and production performance.
  • Ensure all products meet customer specifications, quality standards, and food safety requirements.
  • Coordinate and execute product changeovers while minimizing downtime and waste.
  • Maintain accurate production documentation, material verification, and product traceability requirements.
  • Monitor production processes and proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and safety.
  • Support and direct line personnel to ensure adherence to standard work, GMPs, and company policies.
  • Communicate effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Sanitation teams to ensure smooth operations.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready work environment
  • Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Qualifications

  • Strong commitment to safety, quality, and food safety standards.
  • Proven ability to lead, motivate, and work alongside a small production team.
  • Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic equipment issues.
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to following standard operating procedures.
  • Dependable attendance and demonstrated reliability.
  • Previous manufacturing, machine operation, or production leadership experience preferred.
  • Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 55 pounds.
  • Willingness to learn, adapt, and contribute to a team-focused culture.

General Hours of Work:

  • 1st Shift: Monday- Friday 5:45am-2:36pm
  • 2nd Shift: Monday-Thursday 2:25pm-1:10am
  • Overtime and extended hours as needed or requested

Apply to work at Crest Foods in Ashton, Illinois

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