Production Operator Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Production operators in manufacturing environments often qualify for H-1B visa and other work visa sponsorship, particularly in specialized manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or chemical production roles. Many positions require technical degrees in engineering, chemistry, or related fields, which helps meet specialty occupation requirements. Large manufacturers like Boeing, Pfizer, and General Electric regularly sponsor international workers for production oversight roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Georgia-Pacific's mill in Pennington, AL is hiring for hourly Production Workers! We're looking for job seekers who want to take their manufacturing, industrial, or construction experience to the next level. In this role, we'll train you how to safely operate our machines to include setting up orders and running product to customer specifications. You'll also be trained how to use a forklift and receive a certificate upon successful completion of training.
Our Production Operators work 12-hour rotating shifts, 6am - 6pm and 6pm - 6am including weekends and holidays, and enjoy 7 consecutive days off during each 4-week cycle. The ability to work overtime is critical to our 24/7 operations.
The starting pay is $21.34 per hour. Once trained, the pay rate increases to $24.81 per hour.
GP employees who think critically, demonstrate initiative, work as a collaborative team member and have a strong focus on safety will find opportunities for long-term growth and fulfillment.
OUR TEAM
Naheola Mill located in Pennington, Alabama, is a manufacturing site for the company's well-known consumer products business, producing a wide range of products for the consumer business, including Angel Soft ® bath tissue and Sparkle ® paper towels, as well as bleached paperboard used in Dixie® paper cups and plates. The mill is the largest employer in the community and is engaged in supporting community outreach, workforce development and education.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Run products to customer specifications
- Set up orders on machines
- Perform basic preventative maintenance on the machines
- Conduct required quality checks
- Clean work area
- Training is provided and the minimum age requirement is 18
WHO YOU ARE (BASIC QUALIFICATIONS)
- High School diploma or GED
- One year or more of manufacturing, industrial, production, or construction experience
WHAT WILL PUT YOU AHEAD
- One year or more of preventative maintenance experience
- Experience working a rotating shift
- Experience in the Pulp and Paper industry or one or more of the following:
- A Technical degree in Pulp and Paper, Mechanical (Industrial) Maintenance, or Electrical & Instrumentation
- A state issued Ready to Work certificate
This role is part of the collective bargaining agreement, and the starting pay for this role is set at $21.34 per hour.
HIRING PHILOSOPHY
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
WHO WE ARE
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
OUR BENEFITS
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: http://www.kochcareers.com/doc/Everify.pdf
INTRODUCTION
Georgia-Pacific's mill in Pennington, AL is hiring for hourly Production Workers! We're looking for job seekers who want to take their manufacturing, industrial, or construction experience to the next level. In this role, we'll train you how to safely operate our machines to include setting up orders and running product to customer specifications. You'll also be trained how to use a forklift and receive a certificate upon successful completion of training.
Our Production Operators work 12-hour rotating shifts, 6am - 6pm and 6pm - 6am including weekends and holidays, and enjoy 7 consecutive days off during each 4-week cycle. The ability to work overtime is critical to our 24/7 operations.
The starting pay is $21.34 per hour. Once trained, the pay rate increases to $24.81 per hour.
GP employees who think critically, demonstrate initiative, work as a collaborative team member and have a strong focus on safety will find opportunities for long-term growth and fulfillment.
OUR TEAM
Naheola Mill located in Pennington, Alabama, is a manufacturing site for the company's well-known consumer products business, producing a wide range of products for the consumer business, including Angel Soft ® bath tissue and Sparkle ® paper towels, as well as bleached paperboard used in Dixie® paper cups and plates. The mill is the largest employer in the community and is engaged in supporting community outreach, workforce development and education.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Run products to customer specifications
- Set up orders on machines
- Perform basic preventative maintenance on the machines
- Conduct required quality checks
- Clean work area
- Training is provided and the minimum age requirement is 18
WHO YOU ARE (BASIC QUALIFICATIONS)
- High School diploma or GED
- One year or more of manufacturing, industrial, production, or construction experience
WHAT WILL PUT YOU AHEAD
- One year or more of preventative maintenance experience
- Experience working a rotating shift
- Experience in the Pulp and Paper industry or one or more of the following:
- A Technical degree in Pulp and Paper, Mechanical (Industrial) Maintenance, or Electrical & Instrumentation
- A state issued Ready to Work certificate
This role is part of the collective bargaining agreement, and the starting pay for this role is set at $21.34 per hour.
HIRING PHILOSOPHY
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
WHO WE ARE
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
OUR BENEFITS
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: http://www.kochcareers.com/doc/Everify.pdf
See all 823+ Production Operator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Production Operator roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Production Operator Jobs
Target specialized manufacturing roles
Focus on production operator positions requiring technical expertise in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, or aerospace manufacturing. These specialized roles more easily meet H-1B specialty occupation requirements than general assembly line work.
Highlight process optimization skills
Emphasize experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies. Employers value operators who can optimize production processes, making the sponsorship investment more worthwhile for complex manufacturing operations.
Research Fortune 500 manufacturers
Large companies like 3M, Johnson & Johnson, and Caterpillar have established visa sponsorship programs. They're more likely to sponsor production operators for critical manufacturing roles than smaller local manufacturers.
Consider chemical and pharmaceutical plants
Chemical processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing often require operators with chemistry or chemical engineering backgrounds. These technical requirements strengthen the case for specialty occupation classification under immigration regulations.
Get relevant certifications first
Obtain industry certifications like ISA automation credentials, OSHA safety certifications, or Good Manufacturing Practice training. These demonstrate specialized knowledge that supports visa petition arguments about job complexity.
Apply through campus recruiting
Many manufacturers recruit production trainees and operators directly from engineering schools. Campus recruiting programs often have streamlined visa sponsorship processes for new graduates in technical programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do production operator roles qualify for H-1B visas?
Production operator roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship if they require specialized knowledge and a relevant bachelor's degree. Positions in pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical processing, or advanced manufacturing with engineering degree requirements typically meet specialty occupation standards. General assembly line work rarely qualifies.
What degree do I need for production operator visa sponsorship?
Most sponsored production operator positions require engineering degrees (chemical, mechanical, industrial), chemistry, or related technical fields. Some pharmaceutical manufacturing roles accept biology or biochemistry degrees. The degree must directly relate to the specialized production processes you'll be overseeing.
Which companies sponsor production operators for work visas?
Large manufacturers in pharmaceuticals (Pfizer, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb), chemicals (Dow, DuPont, BASF), aerospace (Boeing, Lockheed Martin), and automotive (Ford, General Motors) regularly sponsor production operators. These companies have established immigration programs and specialized manufacturing needs requiring technical expertise.
How strong are approval rates for production operator H-1B petitions?
Approval rates depend heavily on role specificity and employer documentation. Specialized manufacturing positions with clear degree requirements see higher approval rates than general production work. Pharmaceutical and chemical production roles typically have stronger cases due to technical complexity and safety requirements.
Can I get visa sponsorship for production operator roles without experience?
Yes, many manufacturers sponsor entry-level production operators through campus recruiting programs for recent engineering graduates. Companies like Intel, Texas Instruments, and pharmaceutical manufacturers often hire new graduates for production trainee programs that include visa sponsorship for qualified international students.
How to find Production Operator jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Production Operator jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on manufacturing companies, food processing plants, pharmaceutical facilities, and automotive manufacturers, as these industries frequently sponsor H-1B, TN visa, and other work visas for Production Operator positions. These employers often have ongoing staffing needs and established sponsorship programs.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Production Operator jobs?
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.