**Job Title: Production Associate** **Job Description** The Production Associate plays a vital role in the manufacturing and packaging of products used in industrial, agricultural, and consumer applications. In this role, you operate production equipment, monitor product quality, and help maintain a safe, efficient, and fast-paced industrial work environment. The ideal candidate is reliable, safety-focused, and comfortable working with machinery and performing general labor tasks throughout the production process. **Responsibilities** + Operate, monitor, and adjust production machinery such as dryers, mills, conveyors, bagging lines, and palletizers to support continuous manufacturing operations. + Load raw materials, including clay, additives, and packaging materials, into equipment as required to maintain steady production flow. + Ensure a continuous flow of product through the production process by promptly addressing minor issues and coordinating with team members. + Perform routine equipment checks to identify irregularities and promptly report mechanical issues to maintenance personnel. + Inspect products for proper size, moisture content, weight, and packaging accuracy to ensure they meet established quality standards. + Conduct basic quality tests and accurately document results in accordance with company procedures and standards. + Remove defective products from the production line and promptly notify supervisors of recurring or significant quality issues. + Follow all safety procedures and guidelines while operating machinery and handling materials in a fast-paced industrial environment. + Assist with general labor tasks in the production area, including staging materials, cleaning work areas, and supporting team members as needed. **Essential Skills** + Ability to operate, monitor, and adjust production machinery such as dryers, mills, conveyors, bagging lines, and palletizers. + Experience with machine operation in a production or manufacturing environment. + Capability to perform general labor tasks, including loading materials and handling products. + Skill in monitoring product flow to ensure continuous production. + Ability to perform routine equipment checks and recognize potential mechanical issues. + Attention to detail when inspecting products for size, moisture content, weight, and packaging accuracy. + Ability to conduct basic quality tests and accurately document results. + Comfort working in a fast-paced industrial setting with a strong focus on safety and reliability. **Additional Skills & Qualifications** + Experience operating filler machines in a production or packaging environment. + Experience in loading and material handling within a manufacturing setting. + Familiarity with production documentation and quality control procedures. + Strong communication skills to effectively report issues to supervisors and maintenance teams. + Ability to work collaboratively as part of a production team. **Why Work Here?** You join a team that values safety, reliability, and quality in every step of the production process. The environment offers the opportunity to build hands-on experience with industrial equipment and learn multiple aspects of manufacturing operations. You work in a setting that supports teamwork, consistent processes, and clear procedures, giving you a stable platform to grow your skills in production and quality control. **Job Type & Location** This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Taft, CA. **Pay and Benefits** The pay range for this position is $16.90 - $16.90/hr. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) **Workplace Type** This is a fully onsite position in Taft,CA. **Application Deadline** This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 2026. **About Aerotek:** We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry - from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies' construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow. Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.