Production Associate Jobs in Kentucky
Production associate jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in automotive manufacturing, food and beverage processing, and consumer goods production, with strong and consistent demand at entry through senior line levels. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green are the largest hiring metros, where employers like Toyota, Ford, and Brown-Forman maintain major production operations. The most in-demand specialties include assembly line operation, quality control inspection, and materials handling. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 27+ Production Associate jobs
Quanex is looking for a Production Associate - Night Shift located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
In this role you are responsible for performing assigned production functions such as inspecting, unloading and stacking blanks of wood on pallets in a safe manner to consistently meet production standards and quality requirements.
We Offer You!
- Competitive Wages
- Medical, Dental & Vision Plans starting 1st of the month after hire
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
- Tuition Assistance
- 401K Match w/2-year vesting period
- 15% immediate return if you participate in the company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Employee paid disability and life insurance plans
- Wellness resources & onsite physical therapist
- Safety-Toe Shoes and prescription safety glasses at no cost
What’s attractive about the Production Associate position?
- $17.00 - $20.04 per hour (rate includes 12% shift differential), pay based on applicable work experience
- Potential for pay increase up to $1 if meeting or exceeding expectations at 90 day performance review
- Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday: 7:30p - 6:00a with Overtime on Friday if needed
- Saturdays and Sundays Off!
What Success Looks Like:
- Follows all safety procedures, rules, and guidelines and identifies any existing or potential safety issues.
- Attends work on time and for scheduled hours each day.
- Lifts, inspects and stacks blanks of wood on pallets.
- Monitors product to ensure quality standards are being met.
- Promotes teamwork by cooperating and supporting co-workers.
- Maintains the work area in a neat and orderly condition in compliance with 5S standards.
What You Bring:
- Manual/finger dexterity skills.
- Ability to perform repetitive work in a non-climate controlled, dusty, loud work environment while standing or walking on your feet up to 9 hours a shift.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and push up to 100 pounds on a roller table.
- Ability to read and interpret a tape measure
- Positive attitude and a strong desire to learn
About Quanex, A Part of Something Bigger
Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets. We are A Part of Something Bigger by improving the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, helping customers achieve greater production efficiencies, dedication to giving back to communities where we operate, producing shareholder value and helping our employees learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more at Quanex.com (https://www.quanex.com/).
NOTE: For individuals with nut allergies, please be advised that there is the potential to be exposed to nut products when working in our facilities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Quanex is looking for a Production Associate - Night Shift located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
In this role you are responsible for performing assigned production functions such as inspecting, unloading and stacking blanks of wood on pallets in a safe manner to consistently meet production standards and quality requirements.
We Offer You!
- Competitive Wages
- Medical, Dental & Vision Plans starting 1st of the month after hire
- Paid Time Off & Holidays
- Tuition Assistance
- 401K Match w/2-year vesting period
- 15% immediate return if you participate in the company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Employee paid disability and life insurance plans
- Wellness resources & onsite physical therapist
- Safety-Toe Shoes and prescription safety glasses at no cost
What’s attractive about the Production Associate position?
- $17.00 - $20.04 per hour (rate includes 12% shift differential), pay based on applicable work experience
- Potential for pay increase up to $1 if meeting or exceeding expectations at 90 day performance review
- Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday: 7:30p - 6:00a with Overtime on Friday if needed
- Saturdays and Sundays Off!
What Success Looks Like:
- Follows all safety procedures, rules, and guidelines and identifies any existing or potential safety issues.
- Attends work on time and for scheduled hours each day.
- Lifts, inspects and stacks blanks of wood on pallets.
- Monitors product to ensure quality standards are being met.
- Promotes teamwork by cooperating and supporting co-workers.
- Maintains the work area in a neat and orderly condition in compliance with 5S standards.
What You Bring:
- Manual/finger dexterity skills.
- Ability to perform repetitive work in a non-climate controlled, dusty, loud work environment while standing or walking on your feet up to 9 hours a shift.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and push up to 100 pounds on a roller table.
- Ability to read and interpret a tape measure
- Positive attitude and a strong desire to learn
About Quanex, A Part of Something Bigger
Quanex (NYSE: NX) is a global, publicly traded manufacturing company primarily serving OEMs in the fenestration, cabinetry, solar, refrigeration and outdoor products markets. We are A Part of Something Bigger by improving the performance and aesthetics of end products through continuous innovation, helping customers achieve greater production efficiencies, dedication to giving back to communities where we operate, producing shareholder value and helping our employees learn, grow, and thrive. Learn more at Quanex.com (https://www.quanex.com/).
NOTE: For individuals with nut allergies, please be advised that there is the potential to be exposed to nut products when working in our facilities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 27 Production Associate Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Associate JobsProduction Associate Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Associate Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Chemicals & Materials
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production associate jobs across Kentucky.
- High school diploma or GED equivalent accepted by most Kentucky production facilities
- Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds regularly
- Familiarity with assembly line processes, conveyor systems, or production equipment
- Experience following standard operating procedures and quality control guidelines
- Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification within the first 90 days
- Availability for rotating shifts including nights and weekends at Kentucky plants
Production Associate Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production associate in Kentucky?
Most production associate roles in Kentucky require a high school diploma or GED and no prior industry license, as the state does not issue a specific production associate credential. Large Kentucky manufacturers like Toyota and Ford typically provide on-the-job training and may require a pre-employment skills assessment or drug screen. Completing a short-term manufacturing certificate through Kentucky Community and Technical College System gives candidates a measurable edge in competitive markets.
Which companies hire production associates in Kentucky?
Employers hiring production associates in Kentucky right now include Cintas, Perdue, and Precision Strip, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Kentucky's deep automotive and spirits manufacturing base means large, stable production employers are present in multiple regions across the state.
Which Kentucky cities have the most production associate jobs?
The cities with the most production associate openings in Kentucky are Erlanger, Bowling Green, and Cromwell. Louisville drives the largest share of listings through its concentration of automotive assembly, logistics, and food and beverage facilities, while Bowling Green benefits from major automotive investment and Lexington draws openings from manufacturing and distribution employers anchored in central Kentucky.
Are there remote production associate jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Production associate work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to a physical plant or line, so on-site presence is the standard. About 0% of production associate openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to involve quality documentation, production scheduling support, or inventory coordination rather than direct line work.
How can I get hired as a production associate in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to manufacturers that run structured training programs for new hires, such as Toyota's manufacturing technician pipeline in Georgetown or Ford's Louisville assembly operations. Temp-to-hire roles through staffing agencies that partner with Kentucky plants are a common door in, as are lateral moves from warehouse associate or material handler positions. Earning a production technology certificate from a Kentucky Community and Technical College System campus strengthens any application with no prior factory experience.
Where can I find and apply to production associate jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to production associate jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, preferred location, and shift availability, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 27 Production Associate Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Associate Jobs