Production Operator Jobs in Virginia
Production Operator jobs in Virginia are concentrated in the Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia corridors, where food and beverage processing, defense manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production drive consistent demand across entry-level to senior operator roles. Employers like Altria, Smithfield Foods, and Northrop Grumman maintain large Virginia operations with ongoing needs for line operators, process technicians, and quality-focused production staff. The most in-demand specialties are pharmaceutical packaging, food processing, and defense-related assembly. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Production Operator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 41+ Production Operator jobs
About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.
For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com
© 2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
Hourly Rate/Schedule
Operator hourly pay at $18.50 hourly. This role is eligible for a targert bonus of up to 3%.
Work Schedule - Monday thru Thursday - 10 hr. shifts; Overtime on Friday as needed.
Job Purpose
The Operator at AkzoNobel will execute assigned production tasks in accordance with procedures, to ensure right levels of HSE, Quality, Service and costs.
Key Responsibilities
- Takes ownership of production assets and ensures they are operated safely and as per established procedures, guidelines and industry good practice.
- Performs daily production-, preventative maintenance-, process data collection and administration tasks as per procedures and control systems.
- Reports safety, quality or other issues related to products or production processes to Team Leader / Shift Supervisor.
- Ensures all (shift team) production targets are met whilst ensuring the appropriate quality standards are maintained.
- Issues CAR, respectively Hazard report when any relevant issue is noticed, regardless location or responsible department.
- Provides progress updates to the Team Leader / Shift Supervisor.
- Attends and contributes to meetings.
- Contributes to the investigation of HSE or quality issues for eg: customer complaints, reject batches or other quality related issues.
- Participates in Continuous Improvement activities & programs for HSE, Quality, or other as may be assigned from time to time. Contributes to colour adjustment activities, where applicable, in line with agreed procedures and control systems.
- Is familiar and complies with all the applicable corporate as well as site and laboratory policies/procedures with regard to personal conduct, HSE and Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs (PSRA) standards.
Key Activities
- Transfer completed products into containers of various sizes and types (1 qt cans to tankers). Identify and apply the correct information on the containers and or proper documents while following all fill off and safety procedures
- Fill off approved batches ranging from 1 gallon to 5000 gallons into the proper shipping containers
- Measure the amount of product into the correct container for proper yield, by weighing and/or measuring the weight of the material in the containers with the tools provided
- Once containers are filled and all openings are closed and tightened, check for leaks around the ring, bungs, and chimes
- Properly complete the batch ticket as instructed, label all containers, and number them in the sequence they were filled off
- Once the batch ticket has been approved and signed by the supervisor, send the containers to the shipping department along with the batch ticket
- Properly dispose of filters; wash out the pump; wash the tanks, filter housing, and hoses with the appropriate cleansing material
- Properly label and stage all cleaning material in proper areas
- Properly label and stencil all containers to satisfy customer and shipment requirements
- Perform area housekeeping duties per expectations
- Other duties as needed to complete production process
Job Requirements
Prior Manufacturing experience desired and Prior experience working in a paint manufacturing facility preferred!
Essential Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential qualification satisfactorily.
- Ability to read, comprehend, and follow safety instructions and safety guidelines.
- Ability to pass forklift test and obtain forklift certification.
- Ability to operate a forklift, following all operating instructions effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to read and apply accurate labels.
- Ability to measure and weigh accurately.
- Ability to lift and handle containers such as 5 gallon pails up to 75 lbs, 60 lb bags of pigment or maneuvering drums up to 900 lbs.
- Must have effective interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to multi-task and balance priorities.
- Dedicated and committed safety leadership and presence.
- Ability to climb stairs wearing steel-toed footwear.
- Ability to work in hot and cold environments and inclement weather.
- Ability to work in a heavy manufacturing environment with exposure to chemical agents.
- Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
- Arm-Hand steadiness- Keeping your arm or hand steady.
- Near vision- ability to read labels and see details up close.
Benefits/Rewards
AkzoNobel provides the below benefits beginning Day 1
Annual Bonus,401K retirement savings with 6% company match, Medical insurance with HSA options, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits, Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay, Progression (pay-for-skill) pay plans, Short & Long term disability, Paid Parental leave, Career growth opportunities. Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks, Employee referral bonus, Employee appreciation days, and Tuition Assistance.
At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.
Requisition ID: 56539
#LI-DNI
About AkzoNobel
Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.
For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com
© 2026 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.
Hourly Rate/Schedule
Operator hourly pay at $18.50 hourly. This role is eligible for a targert bonus of up to 3%.
Work Schedule - Monday thru Thursday - 10 hr. shifts; Overtime on Friday as needed.
Job Purpose
The Operator at AkzoNobel will execute assigned production tasks in accordance with procedures, to ensure right levels of HSE, Quality, Service and costs.
Key Responsibilities
- Takes ownership of production assets and ensures they are operated safely and as per established procedures, guidelines and industry good practice.
- Performs daily production-, preventative maintenance-, process data collection and administration tasks as per procedures and control systems.
- Reports safety, quality or other issues related to products or production processes to Team Leader / Shift Supervisor.
- Ensures all (shift team) production targets are met whilst ensuring the appropriate quality standards are maintained.
- Issues CAR, respectively Hazard report when any relevant issue is noticed, regardless location or responsible department.
- Provides progress updates to the Team Leader / Shift Supervisor.
- Attends and contributes to meetings.
- Contributes to the investigation of HSE or quality issues for eg: customer complaints, reject batches or other quality related issues.
- Participates in Continuous Improvement activities & programs for HSE, Quality, or other as may be assigned from time to time. Contributes to colour adjustment activities, where applicable, in line with agreed procedures and control systems.
- Is familiar and complies with all the applicable corporate as well as site and laboratory policies/procedures with regard to personal conduct, HSE and Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs (PSRA) standards.
Key Activities
- Transfer completed products into containers of various sizes and types (1 qt cans to tankers). Identify and apply the correct information on the containers and or proper documents while following all fill off and safety procedures
- Fill off approved batches ranging from 1 gallon to 5000 gallons into the proper shipping containers
- Measure the amount of product into the correct container for proper yield, by weighing and/or measuring the weight of the material in the containers with the tools provided
- Once containers are filled and all openings are closed and tightened, check for leaks around the ring, bungs, and chimes
- Properly complete the batch ticket as instructed, label all containers, and number them in the sequence they were filled off
- Once the batch ticket has been approved and signed by the supervisor, send the containers to the shipping department along with the batch ticket
- Properly dispose of filters; wash out the pump; wash the tanks, filter housing, and hoses with the appropriate cleansing material
- Properly label and stage all cleaning material in proper areas
- Properly label and stencil all containers to satisfy customer and shipment requirements
- Perform area housekeeping duties per expectations
- Other duties as needed to complete production process
Job Requirements
Prior Manufacturing experience desired and Prior experience working in a paint manufacturing facility preferred!
Essential Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential qualification satisfactorily.
- Ability to read, comprehend, and follow safety instructions and safety guidelines.
- Ability to pass forklift test and obtain forklift certification.
- Ability to operate a forklift, following all operating instructions effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to read and apply accurate labels.
- Ability to measure and weigh accurately.
- Ability to lift and handle containers such as 5 gallon pails up to 75 lbs, 60 lb bags of pigment or maneuvering drums up to 900 lbs.
- Must have effective interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to multi-task and balance priorities.
- Dedicated and committed safety leadership and presence.
- Ability to climb stairs wearing steel-toed footwear.
- Ability to work in hot and cold environments and inclement weather.
- Ability to work in a heavy manufacturing environment with exposure to chemical agents.
- Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
- Arm-Hand steadiness- Keeping your arm or hand steady.
- Near vision- ability to read labels and see details up close.
Benefits/Rewards
AkzoNobel provides the below benefits beginning Day 1
Annual Bonus,401K retirement savings with 6% company match, Medical insurance with HSA options, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits, Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay, Progression (pay-for-skill) pay plans, Short & Long term disability, Paid Parental leave, Career growth opportunities. Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks, Employee referral bonus, Employee appreciation days, and Tuition Assistance.
At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.
Requisition ID: 56539
#LI-DNI
See All 41 Production Operator Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator JobsProduction Operator Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Operator Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production operator jobs across Virginia.
- High school diploma or GED required by most Virginia production employers
- Prior experience operating manufacturing equipment or production line machinery
- Ability to read and follow standard operating procedures and work instructions
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices in food, pharma, or defense settings
- Physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds
- Basic mechanical troubleshooting and quality inspection skills
Production Operator Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production operator in Virginia?
Most production operator roles in Virginia require a high school diploma or GED, plus hands-on manufacturing experience. Virginia does not require a state-issued license for most production operator positions, but employers in pharmaceutical and food processing often require Good Manufacturing Practices training, and some defense contractors require a security clearance. Community colleges like Reynolds Community College and Tidewater Community College offer manufacturing technology programs that can strengthen your candidacy.
Which companies hire production operators in Virginia?
Employers hiring production operators in Virginia right now include Moog, Celanese, and BGF Industries, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's mix of food processing, pharmaceutical, and defense manufacturing means hiring is spread across several industries with steady year-round demand.
Which Virginia cities have the most production operator jobs?
Blacksburg, Richmond, and Sterling have the most production operator openings in Virginia. Richmond anchors the food and beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing base, Hampton Roads is driven by defense and shipbuilding contractors, and Northern Virginia's distribution and light manufacturing corridor supports consistent openings across both large employers and smaller contract manufacturers.
Are there remote production operator jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Production operator work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to physical equipment and production lines, so most roles require on-site presence. About 0% of production operator openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions are typically quality documentation, process improvement coordination, or production scheduling roles rather than direct line operation.
How can I get hired as a production operator in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to general labor or production associate roles, which are the typical starting point before advancing to a full operator position. Large Virginia employers like Smithfield Foods and Altria regularly hire associates without prior manufacturing experience and train on the job. Community college manufacturing technology certificates from Reynolds or Tidewater Community College give candidates a concrete edge. Warehouse fulfillment and material handler roles at distribution centers in the Richmond and Northern Virginia corridors are also common lateral moves into production environments.
Where can I find and apply to production operator jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to production operator jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated in real time. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and target location, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No signup is required to see the openings.
See All 41 Production Operator Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator Jobs