Production Associate Jobs in California
Production Associate jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where manufacturing, food processing, and consumer goods production drive consistent demand for both entry-level and experienced workers. Companies like Genentech, Del Monte Foods, and Northrop Grumman maintain large California operations and hire production associates across assembly, quality control, and packaging lines. California's scale and industry mix make it one of the most active markets in the country for this role. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 108+ Production Associate jobs
At Brightmore Brands, we’re all about sustainability and making a difference. We run a network of thrift stores that include EcoThrift, Texas Thrift, Unique Thrift, and MyThriftStores across California, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland, Virgina, and Delaware. Every day, we sort through over 231,000 pounds of items to help keep usable goods out of landfills. By reselling and recycling apparel, we reduce waste and help fund important social causes. Our mission is to create a more sustainable retail system that’s good for the planet and gives back to the community.
Job Summary
The Production Associate is responsible for processing incoming donations efficiently and accurately to support the store’s retail operations. This role involves greeting and assisting donors, sorting and preparing items for sale and ensuring production goals are met. The associate helps maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while upholding company standards and delivering excellent service to donors and customers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Warmly greet donors upon arrival, offering assistance and showing appreciation for every donation.
- Provide each donor with a receipt for their contribution.
- Maintain knowledge of acceptable donation items and courteously decline items that cannot be accepted.
- Accurately document all donations received.
- Sort donated items into designated containers following established sorting guidelines.
- Consistently wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing duties.
- Achieve daily and weekly production targets for grading, sorting, hanging, pricing, and tagging items for retail sale.
- Keep the sales floor stocked by transferring sellable merchandise from the processing area to the store.
- Prepare items for shipment in accordance with company standards and procedures.
- Adhere to safety standards by wearing personal protective equipment at all times.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED preferred
- Retail experience is a plus
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Flexibility to work varied schedules, including weekends, evenings, and holiday
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 6:00am-2:30pm
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $16.90 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
At Brightmore Brands, we’re all about sustainability and making a difference. We run a network of thrift stores that include EcoThrift, Texas Thrift, Unique Thrift, and MyThriftStores across California, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland, Virgina, and Delaware. Every day, we sort through over 231,000 pounds of items to help keep usable goods out of landfills. By reselling and recycling apparel, we reduce waste and help fund important social causes. Our mission is to create a more sustainable retail system that’s good for the planet and gives back to the community.
Job Summary
The Production Associate is responsible for processing incoming donations efficiently and accurately to support the store’s retail operations. This role involves greeting and assisting donors, sorting and preparing items for sale and ensuring production goals are met. The associate helps maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while upholding company standards and delivering excellent service to donors and customers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Warmly greet donors upon arrival, offering assistance and showing appreciation for every donation.
- Provide each donor with a receipt for their contribution.
- Maintain knowledge of acceptable donation items and courteously decline items that cannot be accepted.
- Accurately document all donations received.
- Sort donated items into designated containers following established sorting guidelines.
- Consistently wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing duties.
- Achieve daily and weekly production targets for grading, sorting, hanging, pricing, and tagging items for retail sale.
- Keep the sales floor stocked by transferring sellable merchandise from the processing area to the store.
- Prepare items for shipment in accordance with company standards and procedures.
- Adhere to safety standards by wearing personal protective equipment at all times.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED preferred
- Retail experience is a plus
Physical and Scheduling Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Flexibility to work varied schedules, including weekends, evenings, and holiday
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 6:00am-2:30pm
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $16.90 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 108+ Production Associate Jobs in California
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Find Production Associate JobsProduction Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Cintas10
- Savers/Value Village8
- Altium Packaging4
- Just Food For Dogs4
- Cornerstone Building Brands3
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Investment & Asset Management
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production associate jobs across California.
- High school diploma or GED required by most California production employers
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds regularly
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in food or pharmaceutical settings
- Experience operating production line equipment or assembly machinery
- Basic understanding of quality control inspection and defect identification
- Forklift certification or willingness to obtain California-compliant certification preferred
Production Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production associate in California?
Most production associate roles in California require a high school diploma or GED and are filled through on-the-job training. No state-issued license is required for most production associate work, though roles in food processing may require a California Food Handler Card, and pharmaceutical or biotech positions often expect GMP training. Employers in industries like aerospace and electronics may also require background checks or security clearances before hiring.
Which companies hire production associates in California?
Employers hiring production associates in California right now include Cintas, Savers/Value Village, and Altium Packaging, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of food processing, biotech, defense, and consumer goods manufacturers means demand comes from a broad range of industries rather than a single dominant sector.
Which California cities have the most production associate jobs?
The cities with the most production associate openings in California are Corona, Santa Fe Springs, and Ontario. Los Angeles drives the largest share of postings through its massive food processing, apparel manufacturing, and aerospace industries, while the Bay Area and San Diego add volume through biotech and defense manufacturing clusters anchored by well-established employers.
Are there remote production associate jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Production associate work is inherently hands-on, requiring a physical presence on the factory floor, assembly line, or processing facility. About 7% of production associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve quality documentation, production scheduling, or inventory coordination rather than direct line work.
How can I get hired as a production associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to temp-to-hire roles through California manufacturers that regularly bring on workers at the ground level, including food processing plants in the Central Valley and assembly facilities in Southern California. Large employers like medical device companies and consumer goods producers in the region run structured onboarding for candidates without prior production experience. Completing a California Food Handler Card or a forklift certification before applying gives you a concrete advantage over other entry-level candidates.
Where can I find and apply to production associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to production associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search for roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No account is required to see the listings.
See All 108+ Production Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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