Food Packaging Machine Operator 

Location: Near 47th & Pulaski, Chicago, IL
Pay: Starting at $19.68/hour
Schedule: 1st Shift | Overtime Required | Union Position

About the Opportunity

Express Employment Professionals is recruiting for a Tiromat Machine Operator on behalf of a well-established food manufacturing company near 47th & Pulaski. This is a union position offering scheduled wage increases, consistent overtime, and long-term career potential for individuals with packaging machine operation experience.

Position Summary

The Tiromat Operator is responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and maintaining thermoforming packaging equipment used in food production. This role helps ensure production goals, product quality standards, food safety requirements, and workplace safety procedures are consistently met.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Set up and adjust Tiromat equipment for various products, package sizes, and production runs.
• Perform machine changeovers, including film, tooling, and component changes.
• Monitor packaging operations to ensure proper seals, package quality, labeling, and weights.
• Make machine adjustments to maintain efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Inspect finished products for quality and packaging defects.
• Troubleshoot minor machine issues and report maintenance concerns promptly.
• Maintain accurate production, quality, downtime, and waste documentation.
• Follow all food safety, sanitation, GMP, HACCP, OSHA, and workplace safety procedures.
• Perform routine cleaning and basic preventive maintenance of equipment.
• Assist with additional production duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating Tiromat, Multivac, or similar thermoforming/packaging equipment preferred.
• Prior food manufacturing or food packaging experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and follow production instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Basic math skills for weights, measurements, and production counts.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and movement around machinery.
• Ability to lift and move materials and supplies as needed.
• Comfortable working in refrigerated, wet, and temperature-controlled environments.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Work Environment

This position is located in a food production facility and requires strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, and employee safety standards. Employees may be exposed to production noise, moving machinery, wet surfaces, and varying temperatures.

Schedule & Compensation

• Start Time: 4:00 AM
• Typical Shift Length: 10-12 hours per day
• Overtime: Approximately 15 hours per week on average (mandatory)
• Saturday Work: Mandatory
• Starting Pay: $19.68/hour
• Pay Increase: Additional $0.50 after training period
• 3-Month Pay Rate: $20.18/hour
• Union Wage Increase: Additional $0.75 increase effective each November per union contract
• Union position with established wage progression

Apply Today

Interested candidates should submit their resume to:

jobs.oaklawnil@expresspros.com

Subject Line: MACHINE OPERATOR