Manufacturing Associate Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the Midwest's leading manufacturing states, with major employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Deere & Company operating facilities across the Chicago metro, Peoria, and Rockford. Manufacturing associate roles here span medical devices, heavy equipment, and food processing, with a steady track record of H-1B and EB-3 visa sponsorship.
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Requisition ID: 63946
Position Type: (US)Full Time
Workplace Arrangement:
About Kerry
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
About the role
Located just outside of Chicago, our Melrose Park location is part of our Meat division and creates batter blends, pastry blends, and bread crumbs. We are a fast paced, never a dull moment manufacturing facility that comes together as a team to get the job done. With a growing portfolio, comes need to grow our team! If you’re looking to build a career in manufacturing with a team you can make a difference with, we might be the place for you!
Compensation Information listed below this job announcement. Please note this is a Union Plant. Rate of pay is not negotiable.
Key responsibilities
Utility Operator / 3rd shift Monday to Friday 10pm to 6am. Some Overtime, Weekends.
- Regularly handle objects weighing up to 50+ lbs on a frequent basis.
- Responsible for machine start up, shut down and changeover procedures.
- Verify that screens on sifters are in good condition and are appropriate for the product that is running.
- Check that the mixer is set according to manufacturing order specifications and take corrective action when product varies from quality standards.
- Check the manufacturing order (MO) and confirm the correct ingredients are being used. Dump ingredients into bag dump station or other specified area.
- Record all raw materials neatly and accurately on the manufacturing order (MO).
- Communicate effectively with other departments, and work within a team environment.
- Able to use simple work hand tools.
- Perform a wide variety of miscellaneous duties which may include: sweeping, clean-up, removing garbage, taking samples, etc.
- Participate in safety programs such as safety orientation, safety committee, ergonomic committee, monthly regulatory safety trainings and Eye for safety program.
- Follow all Kerry safety, environmental and regulatory policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- May perform any other duties assigned by leadership.
- Required to maintain adequate performance levels as directed.
- Must be punctual and attend scheduled hours as instructed.
Qualifications and skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty to satisfaction. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
-
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
High School diploma or GED required. 1 to 3 years related experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred, or any manufacturing industry required. -
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Able to communicate in English to understand the job terminology.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals and manufacturing orders. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. -
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations manually or with a calculator. -
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems outside of standardized situations. -
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to lift, push, and pull product hoses while loading/unloading products. Must be able to climb ladders and stairs multiple times every day, and lift at least 50 lbs regularly. -
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee regularly works near mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to dust.
Compensation Information:
The pay rate for this position is $23.73 per hour. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 4/31/2026.
Disclaimer:
We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.
Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).
Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilize video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.
Recruiter:
Posting Type: DNI

Requisition ID: 63946
Position Type: (US)Full Time
Workplace Arrangement:
About Kerry
Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.
About the role
Located just outside of Chicago, our Melrose Park location is part of our Meat division and creates batter blends, pastry blends, and bread crumbs. We are a fast paced, never a dull moment manufacturing facility that comes together as a team to get the job done. With a growing portfolio, comes need to grow our team! If you’re looking to build a career in manufacturing with a team you can make a difference with, we might be the place for you!
Compensation Information listed below this job announcement. Please note this is a Union Plant. Rate of pay is not negotiable.
Key responsibilities
Utility Operator / 3rd shift Monday to Friday 10pm to 6am. Some Overtime, Weekends.
- Regularly handle objects weighing up to 50+ lbs on a frequent basis.
- Responsible for machine start up, shut down and changeover procedures.
- Verify that screens on sifters are in good condition and are appropriate for the product that is running.
- Check that the mixer is set according to manufacturing order specifications and take corrective action when product varies from quality standards.
- Check the manufacturing order (MO) and confirm the correct ingredients are being used. Dump ingredients into bag dump station or other specified area.
- Record all raw materials neatly and accurately on the manufacturing order (MO).
- Communicate effectively with other departments, and work within a team environment.
- Able to use simple work hand tools.
- Perform a wide variety of miscellaneous duties which may include: sweeping, clean-up, removing garbage, taking samples, etc.
- Participate in safety programs such as safety orientation, safety committee, ergonomic committee, monthly regulatory safety trainings and Eye for safety program.
- Follow all Kerry safety, environmental and regulatory policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- May perform any other duties assigned by leadership.
- Required to maintain adequate performance levels as directed.
- Must be punctual and attend scheduled hours as instructed.
Qualifications and skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty to satisfaction. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
-
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
High School diploma or GED required. 1 to 3 years related experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred, or any manufacturing industry required. -
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Able to communicate in English to understand the job terminology.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals and manufacturing orders. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. -
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to perform these operations manually or with a calculator. -
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems outside of standardized situations. -
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to lift, push, and pull product hoses while loading/unloading products. Must be able to climb ladders and stairs multiple times every day, and lift at least 50 lbs regularly. -
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of the job, the employee regularly works near mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to dust.
Compensation Information:
The pay rate for this position is $23.73 per hour. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 4/31/2026.
Disclaimer:
We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams.
Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).
Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilize video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.
Recruiter:
Posting Type: DNI
Manufacturing Associate Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Manufacturing Associate Jobs in IllinoisManufacturing Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for manufacturing associates in Illinois?
Illinois manufacturers with documented sponsorship histories include Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, Caterpillar, and Illinois Tool Works. These companies regularly file H-1B and PERM labor certifications for manufacturing and production roles. Sponsorship activity is most concentrated among large employers in the Chicago metro, Peoria, and the Quad Cities corridor, where manufacturing operations are substantial enough to support dedicated immigration programs.
Which visa types are most common for manufacturing associate roles in Illinois?
EB-3 immigrant visas are common for manufacturing associate positions because the category covers skilled and semi-skilled workers without requiring a bachelor's degree. H-1B visas are used when the role requires a specialized engineering or technical degree. Some employers also sponsor TN visas for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying technical manufacturing roles. The appropriate category depends on the specific job duties and educational requirements the employer defines.
Which cities in Illinois have the most manufacturing associate sponsorship jobs?
The Chicago metropolitan area, including suburbs like Waukegan, Aurora, and Schaumburg, accounts for the largest share of manufacturing associate sponsorship activity in Illinois. Peoria is a significant hub due to Caterpillar's headquarters and supplier network. Rockford has a strong aerospace and precision machining base, and the Quad Cities region along the Iowa border supports heavy equipment and agricultural manufacturing employment.
How to find manufacturing associate visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate aggregates visa sponsorship jobs specifically for international candidates, including manufacturing associate roles in Illinois. Filtering by state and role on Migrate Mate surfaces employers who have sponsored work visas in the past, which is a meaningful signal of willingness to do so again. This saves significant time compared to manually researching sponsorship histories for each employer across Illinois's many manufacturing corridors.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for manufacturing associate visa sponsorship?
Illinois participates in the federal prevailing wage system, so employers sponsoring manufacturing associates must pay wages meeting Department of Labor standards for the specific occupation and region. Chicago-area prevailing wages are generally higher than downstate rates, which affects the economics of sponsorship for smaller manufacturers. Illinois also has a strong community college and technical training pipeline, meaning some employers prefer local candidates, making early outreach to large industrial employers advisable for international applicants.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored manufacturing associate jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which manufacturing associate employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in Illinois right now.
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