Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois
Manufacturing Associate jobs in Illinois are consistently active, concentrated in food and beverage processing, automotive components, industrial equipment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, with openings available from entry-level production floor roles through senior process and quality positions. The heaviest hiring is in the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Joliet, where established employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Kraft Heinz maintain large Illinois manufacturing footprints. Demand is especially strong in areas like quality control, lean manufacturing, and production operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 15+ Manufacturing Associate jobs
A small team makes everything Flore ships. You'd be part of it — not assisting the process, learning it and growing into running it.
What you'll do
- Weigh and dispense probiotic and prebiotic powders to Bill of Materials
- Encapsulate powders on manual equipment and troubleshoot it when it misbehaves
- Verify supplement facts label accuracy, apply labels, bottle finished capsules
- Run shipping: ShipStation, Shopify, order confirmations, documentation
- Manage probiotic inventory in KatanaMRP — stock takes, BOM completion
- Maintain the manufacturing environment to GMP: surfaces, floors, humidity control, PPE, weigh boats
- Follow SOPs, file nonconformances, execute CAPAs where needed
What we're looking for
You don't need GMP experience. We'll train you on all of it. What we can't train is the instinct to notice the scale reading that's slightly off, or the label that doesn't match the batch, and stop instead of shrug. Careful hands and steady attention for five focused hours a day. Do that well and there's room here to grow into more.
HIPAA training provided on site.
Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour
Expected hours: 25.0 per week
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-the-job training
- Opportunities for advancement
- Professional development assistance
Education:
- Associate (Preferred)
Experience:
- GMP: 1 year (Preferred)
Location:
- Joliet, IL 60432 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 15 Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing Associate JobsManufacturing Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing associate jobs across Illinois.
- High school diploma or GED required, with some employers preferring an associate degree in manufacturing technology
- Hands-on experience operating production machinery or assembly line equipment in a regulated environment
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices and quality control documentation standards
- Ability to read and follow standard operating procedures, work orders, and technical specifications
- Physical ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to fifty pounds, and work rotating shifts
- Basic proficiency with inventory tracking systems or manufacturing execution software preferred
Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing associate in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers hire manufacturing associates with a high school diploma or GED, though an associate degree from a program like those offered through Illinois community colleges in manufacturing technology or industrial operations can strengthen your application. No state-issued license is required for general manufacturing associate work in Illinois, but certifications in forklift operation, OSHA safety standards, or lean manufacturing are recognized by Illinois employers as meaningful credentials.
Which companies hire manufacturing associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring manufacturing associates in Illinois right now include 48forty Solutions, QXO, and Flore, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's strong base of food processing, pharmaceutical, and heavy industrial firms means manufacturing associate demand stays broad across both the Chicago metro and downstate manufacturing corridors.
Which Illinois cities have the most manufacturing associate jobs?
Chicago, Belvidere, and Bolingbrook have the most manufacturing associate openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro drives the largest share of listings due to its dense concentration of food processing plants, logistics facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, while Rockford and Joliet reflect strong demand from the industrial equipment and automotive components sectors that anchor those regional economies.
Are there remote manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing associate work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to a production floor, so most roles require daily on-site presence. About 25% of manufacturing associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those exceptions tend to concentrate in quality documentation, production scheduling, or process improvement support functions rather than direct production work.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a production technician trainee or general labor role at an Illinois food, pharmaceutical, or industrial manufacturer, where on-the-job training is standard. Large Illinois employers including Abbott and Caterpillar run structured associate programs that onboard candidates without prior manufacturing backgrounds. Community colleges across Illinois also offer short-term manufacturing certifications that help entry-level candidates stand out, and transitioning from adjacent roles in warehouse operations or quality inspection is a common route in.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across the state's major manufacturing hubs and industries. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 15 Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing Associate Jobs