Extruder Operator

Job Title: Extruder Operator

Job Description

The Extruder Operator sets up, operates, and monitors food extrusion equipment to produce high-quality pellets in accordance with established recipes, specifications, and food safety standards. This roleensures consistent product quality, supports regulatory compliance, and collaborates closely with production teams to meet daily output targets while minimizing waste.

Pay: 23/hr - 1st and 3rd shift available

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate food extrusion machines to produce pellets according to defined recipes and product specifications.

• Load and verify raw ingredients such as flour, starches, additives, and water based on batch sheets.

• Control and monitor key process parameters, including temperature zones, moisture levels, screw speed, and pressure.

• Start, adjust, and stop machines during production runs to maintain optimal performance.

• Ensure uniform pellet size, shape, texture, and density throughout the production process.

• Consistently follow HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) procedures and support food safety programs.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating extrusion machines and working with extrusion processes in a production environment.

• Strong machine operation skills, including setting up, starting, adjusting, and stopping extrusion equipment.

• Ability to control and monitor process parameters such as temperature, moisture, screw speed, and pressure.

• Working knowledge of HACCP principles and their application in food manufacturing.

• Understanding of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and FDA/food regulatory requirements.

• Ability to perform in-process quality checks and interpret results to maintain product consistency.

• Competence in cleaning and sanitizing production equipment, including disassembly and reassembly of parts.

• Basic troubleshooting skills for process and equipment-related issues.

• Ability to accurately record batch data and maintain documentation for audits and traceability.

• Effective communication skills to coordinate with mixing, drying, and packaging teams.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

• Approximately three (3) years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with food extrusion equipment installation, configuration, and calibration.

• Familiarity with CIP (clean-in-place) and COP (clean-out-of-place) cleaning processes.

• Ability to recognize and report mechanical abnormalities such as noise, vibration, or inconsistent output.

• Experience assisting technicians during equipment maintenance activities.

• Forklift experience preferred for handling materials and finished product.

• Experience training other operators on machine operation, hygiene, and safety is an advantage.

• Exposure to and comfort working within continuous improvement and lean manufacturing environments.

• Ability to adapt to different shifts, including first shift (6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.) and second shift (2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.), with training provided on first shift.

• Willingness to work in a floater role if needed, supporting multiple shifts or areas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Saint Louis, MO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $26.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision

• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

• Short and long-term disability

• Health Spending Account (HSA)

• Transportation benefits

• Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Saint Louis,MO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 26, 2026.

About Aerotek

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies' construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.