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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The Machine Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and adjusting manufacturing equipment to produce high-quality plastic film and bag products in a safe and efficient manner. This role ensures compliance with company safety standards, GMP, and HACCP policies while maintaining optimal production yields and minimizing scrap. Operators perform routine quality checks, troubleshoot minor equipment issues, and assist with changeovers and repairs. Additional responsibilities include maintaining good housekeeping, supporting packing operations, and adhering to all safety protocols in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The position requires strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
Accountabilities:
-
Equipment Setup and Operation – Set up, run, and adjust manufacturing equipment to produce quality plastic film and bag products in compliance with safety and quality standards.
-
Safety Compliance – Follow and support all company safety, GMP, and HACCP policies; conduct daily section inspections to maintain a safe work environment.
-
Quality Assurance – Perform required quality checks, interpret standards, and make necessary adjustments to maintain product specifications and reduce scrap.
-
Production Efficiency – Optimize equipment settings to maximize production yields and minimize downtime; execute timely changeovers.
-
Minor Maintenance and Troubleshooting – Make minor repairs, assist maintenance technicians in troubleshooting, and perform tasks such as changing screens, cleaning dies, and rebuilding printers.
-
Housekeeping and Line Shutdown – Maintain good housekeeping practices and properly shut down lines following established procedures.
-
Collaboration and Support – Communicate effectively with team members, including those who may not speak English, and assist in packing operations as needed.
Qualifications/Requirements:
-
High School diploma or GED required.
-
3 to 6 months experience as a Production Packer and/or
-
3 to 6 months experience working in manufacturing in a related field.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Behaviors
-
Knowledge - Understanding of manufacturing processes for plastic film and bag productions. Knowledge of operating extruders, air rings, and printers. Familiarity with GMP and HACCP policies and safety standards. Basic knowledge of computer programs for production tasks.
-
Skills - Proficiency in using hand tools and measuring instruments. Ability to string up lines and perform timely changeovers. Competence in reading and interpreting work orders. Forklift operation skills. Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for minor repairs.
-
Abilities - Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and perform physical tasks such as bending, climbing, and kneeling. Ability to work safely around moving machinery and electricity with appropriate PPE. Ability to train new employees and communicate effectively with diverse team members.
-
Behaviors - Safety-conscious: Consistently follows safety protocols and conducts inspections. Quality-focused: Performs checks and makes adjustments to meet standards. Handle changing priorities and time pressures in a loud, fast-paced environment. Team-oriented: Collaborates with maintenance, quality, and production teams; assists in packing when needed.
Other Information:
- Physical Demands:
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and push or pull up to 100 lbs.
- Frequent physical activities include reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, bending, and twisting for up to 66% of the work shift.
-
Require working around moving machinery and electricity, demanding high safety awareness and proper use of PPE.
-
Work Environment:
- Work is performed in a manufacturing setting with loud noise levels and exposure to moving equipment.
- Employees must wear hearing, eye, and toe protection, and additional PPE as required.
-
Environment involves changing priorities, time pressures, and constraints, contributing to a fast-paced atmosphere.
-
Stress Factors:
- High job-related stress due to tight production schedules, changing priorities, and quality compliance requirements.
- Need for constant vigilance around machinery and adherence to safety protocols adds to mental and physical demands.
Our Expectations
We expect our people to be guided by The Amcor Way and demonstrate our Values every day to enable the business to win. We are winning when:
- Our people are engaged and developing as part of a high-performing Amcor team
- Our customers grow and prosper from Amcor’s quality, service, and innovation
- Our investors benefit from Amcor’s consistent growth and superior returns
- The environment is better off because of Amcor’s leadership and products
Accelerate the possible by joining a winning Amcor team that’s transforming the packaging industry and improving lives around the world.
At Amcor, we unpack possibility through our innovative and responsible packaging to provide solutions that benefit our customers, our people and our planet. More than 10,000 consumers worldwide encounter our products every second and rely on us for safe access to food, medicine and other goods. We value their trust by making safety our guiding principle. It’s our core value and integral to how we do business.
Beyond this core principle, our shared values and behaviors unite us as we work together to elevate customers, shape lives and protect the future. We champion our customers and help them succeed. We play to win – adapting quickly in an everchanging world – and make smart choices to safeguard our business, our communities and the people we serve for generations to come. And we invest in our world-class team, empowering our colleagues to unpack their potential, because we believe when our people grow, so does our business.
Benefits
When you join Amcor, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits and compensation package that includes:
- Medical, dental and vision plans
- Paid time off, starting at 40 hours per year for full-time hourly employees, may vary by location
- Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
- Wellbeing programs & Employee Assistance Program
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
- Paid Parental Leave
- Retirement Savings Plan with company match
- Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
- Discretionary bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)
Amcor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click on the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" Poster. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call 224-313-7000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
E-Verify
We verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
Job Description
The Machine Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and adjusting manufacturing equipment to produce high-quality plastic film and bag products in a safe and efficient manner. This role ensures compliance with company safety standards, GMP, and HACCP policies while maintaining optimal production yields and minimizing scrap. Operators perform routine quality checks, troubleshoot minor equipment issues, and assist with changeovers and repairs. Additional responsibilities include maintaining good housekeeping, supporting packing operations, and adhering to all safety protocols in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The position requires strong mechanical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
Accountabilities:
-
Equipment Setup and Operation – Set up, run, and adjust manufacturing equipment to produce quality plastic film and bag products in compliance with safety and quality standards.
-
Safety Compliance – Follow and support all company safety, GMP, and HACCP policies; conduct daily section inspections to maintain a safe work environment.
-
Quality Assurance – Perform required quality checks, interpret standards, and make necessary adjustments to maintain product specifications and reduce scrap.
-
Production Efficiency – Optimize equipment settings to maximize production yields and minimize downtime; execute timely changeovers.
-
Minor Maintenance and Troubleshooting – Make minor repairs, assist maintenance technicians in troubleshooting, and perform tasks such as changing screens, cleaning dies, and rebuilding printers.
-
Housekeeping and Line Shutdown – Maintain good housekeeping practices and properly shut down lines following established procedures.
-
Collaboration and Support – Communicate effectively with team members, including those who may not speak English, and assist in packing operations as needed.
Qualifications/Requirements:
-
High School diploma or GED required.
-
3 to 6 months experience as a Production Packer and/or
-
3 to 6 months experience working in manufacturing in a related field.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Behaviors
-
Knowledge - Understanding of manufacturing processes for plastic film and bag productions. Knowledge of operating extruders, air rings, and printers. Familiarity with GMP and HACCP policies and safety standards. Basic knowledge of computer programs for production tasks.
-
Skills - Proficiency in using hand tools and measuring instruments. Ability to string up lines and perform timely changeovers. Competence in reading and interpreting work orders. Forklift operation skills. Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for minor repairs.
-
Abilities - Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and perform physical tasks such as bending, climbing, and kneeling. Ability to work safely around moving machinery and electricity with appropriate PPE. Ability to train new employees and communicate effectively with diverse team members.
-
Behaviors - Safety-conscious: Consistently follows safety protocols and conducts inspections. Quality-focused: Performs checks and makes adjustments to meet standards. Handle changing priorities and time pressures in a loud, fast-paced environment. Team-oriented: Collaborates with maintenance, quality, and production teams; assists in packing when needed.
Other Information:
- Physical Demands:
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and push or pull up to 100 lbs.
- Frequent physical activities include reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, bending, and twisting for up to 66% of the work shift.
-
Require working around moving machinery and electricity, demanding high safety awareness and proper use of PPE.
-
Work Environment:
- Work is performed in a manufacturing setting with loud noise levels and exposure to moving equipment.
- Employees must wear hearing, eye, and toe protection, and additional PPE as required.
-
Environment involves changing priorities, time pressures, and constraints, contributing to a fast-paced atmosphere.
-
Stress Factors:
- High job-related stress due to tight production schedules, changing priorities, and quality compliance requirements.
- Need for constant vigilance around machinery and adherence to safety protocols adds to mental and physical demands.
Our Expectations
We expect our people to be guided by The Amcor Way and demonstrate our Values every day to enable the business to win. We are winning when:
- Our people are engaged and developing as part of a high-performing Amcor team
- Our customers grow and prosper from Amcor’s quality, service, and innovation
- Our investors benefit from Amcor’s consistent growth and superior returns
- The environment is better off because of Amcor’s leadership and products
Accelerate the possible by joining a winning Amcor team that’s transforming the packaging industry and improving lives around the world.
At Amcor, we unpack possibility through our innovative and responsible packaging to provide solutions that benefit our customers, our people and our planet. More than 10,000 consumers worldwide encounter our products every second and rely on us for safe access to food, medicine and other goods. We value their trust by making safety our guiding principle. It’s our core value and integral to how we do business.
Beyond this core principle, our shared values and behaviors unite us as we work together to elevate customers, shape lives and protect the future. We champion our customers and help them succeed. We play to win – adapting quickly in an everchanging world – and make smart choices to safeguard our business, our communities and the people we serve for generations to come. And we invest in our world-class team, empowering our colleagues to unpack their potential, because we believe when our people grow, so does our business.
Benefits
When you join Amcor, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits and compensation package that includes:
- Medical, dental and vision plans
- Paid time off, starting at 40 hours per year for full-time hourly employees, may vary by location
- Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
- Wellbeing programs & Employee Assistance Program
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
- Paid Parental Leave
- Retirement Savings Plan with company match
- Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
- Discretionary bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)
Amcor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click on the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" Poster. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call 224-313-7000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
E-Verify
We verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
Manufacturing Operator Job Roles in South Dakota
See all 30+ 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 visa 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.