Production Apprentice – Manufacturing Apprenticeship

About the role

Join BASF’s Sparta, TN plant as a Production Apprentice, where you will earn while you learn the skills needed to become a Production Technician in chemical manufacturing.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct routine safety and equipment inspections and report issues.
• Record operating and material information for production lots.
• Operate manufacturing equipment following ISO/TS16949 procedures.
• Follow process and blend instruction sheets and prepare packaging with proper labeling.
• Gather, stage, and load materials for product compounding.
• Collect samples for quality‑control and color testing.
• Perform housekeeping to keep the production area orderly.
• Operate peripheral systems such as fume collection, dust collection, and bulk pellet transfer.
• Participate in problem‑solving, equipment repairs, and process corrections.
• Operate a forklift to move raw and scrap materials.
• Support shift supervisors with production tasks and complete audits, inspections, and required training.

Required profile

• Willingness to enroll in BASF’s Production Technician program at Motlow State College.
• Ability to work on‑site at the Sparta, TN facility.
• Capability to operate a forklift and follow safety procedures.

Required skills

• Forklift operation
• Manufacturing equipment operation
• Safety inspection procedures
• Quality‑control sampling
• Packaging preparation
• Material handling
• Use of fume collection system
• Use of dust collection system
• Use of bulk pellet transfer systems
• Computer‑based self‑assessment

What we offer

• Starting pay of $20.00 per hour.
• Fully funded Production Technician education, including textbooks.
• Hands‑on training in a leading chemical manufacturing plant.
• Pathway to a permanent Production Technician career.