Production Operator Jobs in Illinois
Production Operator jobs in Illinois are concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area, Joliet, and Rockford, where manufacturers such as Abbott Laboratories, Caterpillar, and Kraft Heinz maintain large production facilities that hire at every experience level from entry-level line operators to senior process technicians. The most in-demand specialties include food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and industrial equipment assembly, reflecting Illinois's deep manufacturing base. Openings range from first-shift floor roles to lead operator positions overseeing quality control and line efficiency. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 84+ Production Operator jobs
Join MAPEI Corporation, a global leader in the manufacturing of construction chemicals and building materials, including adhesives, sealants, and specialty products used in flooring, tile, and concrete restoration. As a Production Material Handler, you will be an essential part of the production process, responsible for handling, transferring, and organizing raw materials and finished products within the facility. This role requires precision, a strong commitment to safety, and effective coordination to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow that supports MAPEI's commitment to quality and reliability in the construction chemicals industry.
Key Responsibilities:
- Handle, transfer, and organize materials to support manufacturing.
- Assist with loading and unloading as needed for production.
- Re-weigh and prepare raw materials per schedule and instructions.
- Operate material handling equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks.
- Sort, label, and store materials and products in designated areas.
- Keep accurate records, both written and electronic.
- Perform routine checks and maintain inventory records to ensure material availability.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace, adhering to all safety and quality standards.
- Adhere to safety regulations and maintain a clean, organized workspace.
- Perform additional duties as required.
Position Specific Details:
- Base hourly payrate up to $20.00-$21.02 p/hr, based on experience.
- Additional premium shift differential: $1.00 p/hr for 2nd shift and $2.00 p/hr for 3rd shift, if applicable.
What's in it for you:
- Highly competitive base pay & premium shift differentials.
- Biannual "Rewards for Results" bonuses, awarded on discretion based on plant performance.
- Our employees have the option of a highly competitive medical plan with minimal monthly employee contributions.
- 17 Days of paid, sick and vacation time annually (days are prorated in year one).
- 401K retirement with up to 6% matching program.
- Excellent dental, vision programs, flex spending accounts, employer paid life insurance and free tele-med physician services.
- Various other company employee-centric perks initiatives; tuition reimbursement programs, discounted home/auto insurance programs, supplemental life insurance, and more.
Qualifications
- Hands-on work willingness and mechanical inclination.
- Manufacturing/process experience; forklift certification is a plus.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to lift up to 55 lbs independently; and up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
- Able to stand for extended periods of time.
- Flexibility for overtime and shift hours required.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran (M/F/D/V)
Join MAPEI Corporation, a global leader in the manufacturing of construction chemicals and building materials, including adhesives, sealants, and specialty products used in flooring, tile, and concrete restoration. As a Production Material Handler, you will be an essential part of the production process, responsible for handling, transferring, and organizing raw materials and finished products within the facility. This role requires precision, a strong commitment to safety, and effective coordination to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow that supports MAPEI's commitment to quality and reliability in the construction chemicals industry.
Key Responsibilities:
- Handle, transfer, and organize materials to support manufacturing.
- Assist with loading and unloading as needed for production.
- Re-weigh and prepare raw materials per schedule and instructions.
- Operate material handling equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks.
- Sort, label, and store materials and products in designated areas.
- Keep accurate records, both written and electronic.
- Perform routine checks and maintain inventory records to ensure material availability.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace, adhering to all safety and quality standards.
- Adhere to safety regulations and maintain a clean, organized workspace.
- Perform additional duties as required.
Position Specific Details:
- Base hourly payrate up to $20.00-$21.02 p/hr, based on experience.
- Additional premium shift differential: $1.00 p/hr for 2nd shift and $2.00 p/hr for 3rd shift, if applicable.
What's in it for you:
- Highly competitive base pay & premium shift differentials.
- Biannual "Rewards for Results" bonuses, awarded on discretion based on plant performance.
- Our employees have the option of a highly competitive medical plan with minimal monthly employee contributions.
- 17 Days of paid, sick and vacation time annually (days are prorated in year one).
- 401K retirement with up to 6% matching program.
- Excellent dental, vision programs, flex spending accounts, employer paid life insurance and free tele-med physician services.
- Various other company employee-centric perks initiatives; tuition reimbursement programs, discounted home/auto insurance programs, supplemental life insurance, and more.
Qualifications
- Hands-on work willingness and mechanical inclination.
- Manufacturing/process experience; forklift certification is a plus.
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to lift up to 55 lbs independently; and up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
- Able to stand for extended periods of time.
- Flexibility for overtime and shift hours required.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran (M/F/D/V)
See All 84 Production Operator Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator JobsProduction Operator Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Operator Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- NOW HEALTH10
- MAPEI Corporation8
- Panduit5
- TE Connectivity5
- Vestis3
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Investment & Asset Management
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production operator jobs across Illinois.
- High school diploma or GED required by most Illinois production facilities
- Demonstrated ability to operate and monitor automated production line equipment
- Experience following Good Manufacturing Practices or ISO quality standards
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods on the production floor
- Familiarity with lockout/tagout safety procedures and OSHA compliance requirements
- Basic math and measurement skills for tracking production output and quality metrics
Production Operator Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production operator in Illinois?
Most production operator roles in Illinois require a high school diploma or GED and are filled through on-the-job training that employers provide after hiring. Candidates with a certificate in manufacturing technology or industrial operations from an Illinois community college, such as Joliet Junior College or Oakton College, have a practical edge. For pharmaceutical or food processing roles, familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices and OSHA safety standards is expected before the first day.
Which companies hire production operators in Illinois?
Companies currently hiring production operators in Illinois include NOW HEALTH, MAPEI Corporation, and Panduit, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's concentration of food, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturers means openings appear consistently across both the Chicago metro and downstate production corridors.
Which Illinois cities have the most production operator jobs?
Bloomingdale, Lockport, and Grayslake have the most production operator openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro drives the largest share because it is home to major food processing plants, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and logistics-linked assembly operations, while Joliet and Rockford support strong industrial and heavy manufacturing bases that generate steady operator demand independent of the city's corporate headquarters activity.
Are there remote production operator jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Production operator work is inherently hands-on and tied to physical equipment, so nearly all roles require on-site presence. About 0% of production operator openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to involve process monitoring, data logging, or quality documentation tasks that can be completed off the production floor.
How can I get hired as a production operator in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to entry-level line operator or production associate roles at large Illinois food and beverage manufacturers, which routinely hire without prior experience and train on the job. Companies such as Abbott and Kraft Heinz run structured onboarding programs for new hires in Illinois facilities. Completing a short forklift certification or a community college manufacturing fundamentals course strengthens any application, and temp-to-hire roles at Illinois staffing agencies that specialize in manufacturing are a common first step.
Where can I find and apply to production operator jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to production operator jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, shift preference, and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 84 Production Operator Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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