Production Operator – $29.70/hr Starting Pay

About the role

As a Production Operator you will join Nestlé Purina’s pet‑care manufacturing team in Fort Dodge, helping ensure safe, high‑quality production of pet food. You will work on a 12‑hour overnight shift, supporting continuous operations and contributing to improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Supply production lines and meat‑prep stations with adequate materials to keep operations running.
• Measure, weigh, blend and add ingredients to manual or automated systems, adjusting speeds and temperatures as needed.
• Pull samples, perform quality tests, assist on quality trials and deliver test samples to Quality Assurance.
• Visually inspect ingredients, pallets or cans and remove any foreign materials.
• Clean and sanitize work areas and equipment, handling cleaning chemicals safely.
• Operate, troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on equipment, following lock‑out procedures.
• Use a forklift or pallet jack to move raw material and finished packaged goods.
• Support continuous‑improvement projects within the factory.

Required profile

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Manufacturing, production or warehouse experience preferred.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends and overtime.
• Availability for a 12‑hour overnight shift (7 PM – 7 AM) on a 2/2/3 schedule.

Required skills

• Forklift and pallet‑jack operation.
• Lockout/tagout safety procedures.
• Basic equipment troubleshooting and minor repairs.
• Handling and mixing sanitation chemicals safely.

What we offer

• Starting pay of $29.70 per hour.
• Bonus eligibility.
• Performance‑based incentives and a competitive total‑rewards package.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Healthcare coverage and additional benefits.