Production Operator

Interested in a career that matters?

Join us as our newest Production Operator!

In this role you'll make an impact by:

• Working as part of the Formulation and Finished Goods Production Team to blend and package industrial microbes

• This is an 8-hour/day, Monday-Friday, Day Shift manufacturing job - Woohoo!

To succeed you must hold:

• Operating industrial blending and packaging equipment per Standard Operating Procedures, including operation of computerized control systems

• Operating industrial lifts including forklifts, scissor & aerial lifts, pallet jacks, cranes, and hoists for material handling and equipment and facility cleaning

• Following industrial blending recipes. Selecting, preparing, and accurately adding raw materials, following mixing addition order and mix times

• Neatly labeling and preparing packaging materials, filling containers, palletizing

• Taking production samples, checking QC results

• Accurately and neatly completing production records, both as hardcopy paperwork and computerized inventory transactions in the ERP system (SAP)

• Performing equipment and facility cleaning according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

• Interfacing multiple times per shift with computers for tasks such as checking and updating production schedules, inventory control transactions, reading and sending emails, attending virtual meetings, completing online safety/quality/environment training, reading policies and procedures

• Actively participating on a cross-functional manufacturing team of operators, supervisors, engineers, maintenance technicians, and quality assurance/control to troubleshoot equipment issues, complete structured problem-solving, and drive continuous improvement activities

• Attending and contributing to team meetings, training sessions, workshops, audits, inspections, and other company events

Minimum qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Possess a valid driver's license for Virginia

• Ability to don a full-face respirator, half-face respirator, and/or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)

• Ability to perform and enjoy physical work: lifting and dumping raw materials in bags weighing 50 pounds, climbing stairs frequently during each shift, bending and reaching to perform routine inspection and cleaning, mounting/dismounting from forklifts, working for extended periods of time in non-air-conditioned production areas

• Ability to use a computer, navigate the Internet, and use common software applications like Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)

• Ability to be trained to work independently as part of a production team, taking initiative and ownership for completing production objectives

Possible relevant experience:

• GMP, food/feed production, food handling, brewing, biological or chemical processing

• Forklift, scissor lift, aerial lift operation

• Warehousing, materials handling

• Lean manufacturing

Location: Salem, Virginia (On-Site)

Application deadline: March 18, 2026

Starting pay range: $19.00-$21.00/hour

Benefits you will enjoy:

• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution

• Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time

• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance

• Healthcare savings account option with generous employer contribution

• Employee assistance program

• Parental leave

• Tuition reimbursement

• All benefits begin on your first day

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity's biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It's how we've gotten so far. And it's how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn't the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You're welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career