Manufacturing Operator Visa Sponsorship Jobs in South Dakota
South Dakota's manufacturing sector spans meat processing, agricultural equipment, and industrial components, with major employers like Smithfield Foods, John Morrell, and Raven Industries operating across Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Watertown. International workers pursuing manufacturing operator roles here typically need employer-sponsored visas, and sponsorship opportunities do exist across the state's production facilities.
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Requisition ID: 14065
Location:
Sioux Falls, SD, US, 57104
Department: Manufacturing & Operations
Travel: No Travel Required
If you are a GPI employee, please click the Employee Login before applying.
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.
With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.
A World of Difference. Made Possible.
Position Summary
In accordance with company policies and procedures, set-up make-ready and oversee all operations of assigned equipment, and train new crews to perform their jobs to standard. Work and communicate with other departments to assure quality cartons are produced.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Get, read, and follow all information on job jacket.
- Correctly set-up make-ready; physically and mechanically inspect equipment.
- Run quality cartons at or above standards.
- Constantly check cartons for quality.
- Perform maintenance to prevent breakdowns and reduce down times.
- Report emergency repair needs and log needed future repairs.
- Keep work area clean.
- Complete reports and other paperwork correctly and neatly.
- Assist crew communication; inform crew on job history and physically help crew when needed.
- Train new crews of specific duties and machine safety.
- In the absence of supervisor, oversee smooth and productive functioning of department.
- Maintain communication with other departments.
- Have a positive attitude toward your work and the people around you.
- Other duties as apparent or assigned
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must have basic mechanical skills required for operating finishing equipment.
- Must have basic computer skills.
- Demonstrate leadership skills.
- Must be self-motivated.
- Be able to adapt to new procedures and equipment.
- Have knowledge and ability to use proper tools.
Education and Experience
- Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.
- Must have basic math skills.
Working Conditions
- Able to lift and handle at least 50 lbs.
- Able and willing to work any shift and overtime.
GPI’s Benefit Program
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) w/employer matching
- Health & Welfare Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Various Voluntary benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Employee Discount Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com.
Nearest Major Market: Sioux Falls

Requisition ID: 14065
Location:
Sioux Falls, SD, US, 57104
Department: Manufacturing & Operations
Travel: No Travel Required
If you are a GPI employee, please click the Employee Login before applying.
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.
With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.
A World of Difference. Made Possible.
Position Summary
In accordance with company policies and procedures, set-up make-ready and oversee all operations of assigned equipment, and train new crews to perform their jobs to standard. Work and communicate with other departments to assure quality cartons are produced.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Get, read, and follow all information on job jacket.
- Correctly set-up make-ready; physically and mechanically inspect equipment.
- Run quality cartons at or above standards.
- Constantly check cartons for quality.
- Perform maintenance to prevent breakdowns and reduce down times.
- Report emergency repair needs and log needed future repairs.
- Keep work area clean.
- Complete reports and other paperwork correctly and neatly.
- Assist crew communication; inform crew on job history and physically help crew when needed.
- Train new crews of specific duties and machine safety.
- In the absence of supervisor, oversee smooth and productive functioning of department.
- Maintain communication with other departments.
- Have a positive attitude toward your work and the people around you.
- Other duties as apparent or assigned
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must have basic mechanical skills required for operating finishing equipment.
- Must have basic computer skills.
- Demonstrate leadership skills.
- Must be self-motivated.
- Be able to adapt to new procedures and equipment.
- Have knowledge and ability to use proper tools.
Education and Experience
- Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English.
- Must have basic math skills.
Working Conditions
- Able to lift and handle at least 50 lbs.
- Able and willing to work any shift and overtime.
GPI’s Benefit Program
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) w/employer matching
- Health & Welfare Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Various Voluntary benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Employee Discount Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com.
Nearest Major Market: Sioux Falls
Manufacturing Operator Job Roles in South Dakota
See all 38+ Manufacturing Operator Jobs in South Dakota
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Search Manufacturing Operator Jobs in South DakotaManufacturing Operator Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for manufacturing operators in South Dakota?
Smithfield Foods and John Morrell in Sioux Falls are among the larger employers in South Dakota's food processing sector with histories of hiring international workers. Raven Industries and Daktronics in Brookings and Sioux Falls operate in precision manufacturing and may sponsor for specialized production roles. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and varies by facility, role, and the employer's current hiring needs.
Which visa types are most common for manufacturing operator roles in South Dakota?
H-2B visas are used by some South Dakota manufacturers for temporary, seasonal production work, particularly in food processing. H-1B sponsorship is less common for standard operator roles but may apply if the position requires a specialized degree. EB-3 green card sponsorship is another pathway some larger manufacturers pursue for permanent production staff. Each category has distinct requirements and employer obligations.
Which cities in South Dakota have the most manufacturing operator sponsorship jobs?
Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest manufacturing hub, home to meat processing plants, food production facilities, and light industrial employers. Watertown and Aberdeen have significant food and agricultural equipment manufacturing operations. Brookings hosts technology-oriented manufacturers like Daktronics and Raven Industries. Rapid City also has industrial manufacturing activity, though on a smaller scale than the eastern corridor of the state.
How to find manufacturing operator visa sponsorship jobs in South Dakota?
Migrate Mate lists manufacturing operator roles in South Dakota specifically filtered for visa sponsorship, which removes the guesswork of identifying willing employers. Searching by state and role on Migrate Mate lets you focus on facilities that have sponsored international workers before. Given that South Dakota's manufacturing base is concentrated in food processing and agricultural equipment, filtering by those industries helps narrow results to the most active sponsoring employers.
What should international workers know about manufacturing operator roles in South Dakota specifically?
South Dakota has no state income tax, which affects overall compensation comparisons with other states. Many of the state's largest manufacturing employers are food processing facilities subject to USDA oversight, which can influence shift structures and production demands. Prevailing wage requirements under sponsored visa categories apply statewide, so employers must pay wage levels set by the Department of Labor for the specific occupation and geographic area, regardless of facility size.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored manufacturing operator jobs in South Dakota?
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.
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