Production Associate

Love pets? Love making a real difference? Darwin's Natural Pet Products is where passion meets purpose. We're not just making pet food; we're creating a healthier future for dogs and cats nationwide through ethical sourcing and superior nutrition. Be part of a family-owned company where your work directly impacts the wellbeing of thousands of pets and the families who love them.

Position Summary

The Production Associate is responsible for safely and efficiently operating production equipment used in the manufacturing of raw pet food products. This role processes, stages, and handles raw, dry, and wet ingredients while supporting the daily production schedule and maintaining product quality and safety standards.

The Production Associate works as part of the production team to ensure efficient operations and compliance with company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), food safety standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Follow all safety procedures, SOPs, SSOPs, cGMPs, food safety requirements, and applicable FDA regulations to meet product and customer specifications.

• Safely and accurately stage raw, dry, and wet ingredients according to batch sheets and production requirements.

• Support efficient operation of the production line, including:

  • Safely and accurately managing machine inputs and outputs to maintain efficient production flow.

  • Safely assembling, disassembling, operating, and sanitizing production equipment.

• Perform operator-level equipment adjustments and preventive maintenance on equipment within the assigned work area.

• Complete production records, batch documentation, and other required paperwork accurately and in a timely manner.

• Perform approved product rework activities in accordance with established procedures and production requirements.

• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary work areas.

• Promptly report equipment malfunctions, food safety concerns, quality issues, or other production concerns to a supervisor.

• Follow all company safety policies and required personal protective equipment (PPE) practices.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position does not oversee staff

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary range: $21.65 - $28.00 per hour depending on experience and qualifications.

• Enjoy 10 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, sick leave or for any other personal reason.

• Additional paid time away includes 4 Paid Holidays, 3 Floating Holidays.

• Company-sponsored benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability coverage, and life insurance, plus access to additional optional supplemental benefits.

• Company contribution to your 401(k) plan equal to 5% of pay after 6 months of service.

• Keep your pets happy and healthy with a free supply of Darwin’s fresh, premium-quality pet food.

What You Bring:

• High school diploma or GED program required.

• 2 years experience in a manufacturing environment, food processing, or production experience preferred.

• Previous experience in a food manufacturing environment preferred.

• Working knowledge of food safety, FDA regulations, and HACCP with a good background of processing and packaging preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Willingness and ability to continuously learn new processes, equipment, and procedures.
• Reliable and energetic team player with a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
• Strong basic math skills, particularly involving weights, measurements, and batch calculations.
• Ability to read, understand, and follow batch sheets, production schedules, work instructions, and safety procedures.
• Ability to safely operate manufacturing and production equipment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and coworkers.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment and contribute to team production goals.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

The following certifications are preferred but not required:

• HACCP Certification
• Forklift Certification
• FSMA Certification
• Food Handler's Card

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Work is typically performed in a pet-friendly office environment with low to moderate noise level.

• Movements including but not limited to prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching are required.

• Regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; talk; see; and/or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.

• Regular exposure to refrigerated or cold conditions, raw pet food ingredients, loud noise, dust, sanitation chemicals, vibration, and moving mechanical equipment may occur.
• The position may require regular or occasional access to the manufacturing floor, where employees may be exposed to elevated noise levels, dust, vibration, chemicals, and other conditions typical of a production environment.

• Employees may be required to work in wet, refrigerated, or cold conditions for extended periods.

• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds at all times.

Why work for Darwin’s?

• Turn your passion for pets into purpose - join a team on a mission to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them.

• A friendly atmosphere and terrific people who like to work hard and have fun.

• A highly collaborative environment across all parts of the company.

• Free snacks year-round and complementary BBQ lunches during the summer.

About Darwin’s Natural Pet Products

Since 2004, Darwin's Natural Pet Products has been on a mission to help pets and their owners enjoy more years of healthy companionship. As a pioneer of the raw, natural pet food movement and the first raw pet food company to bring e-commerce to the U.S., we deliver fresh, human-grade meals for dogs and cats directly to homes nationwide. Our meals are Inspired by Nature and Informed by Science, and everything we make is grounded in a commitment to quality, conscious sourcing, and the well-being of the pets we serve.

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We pride ourselves on our diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.