Production Operator - West Hershey

Why Hershey:

At The Hershey Company, our culture is rooted in purpose and inspired by Milton Hershey's enduring vision that business should create opportunity for others. Through our commitment to corporate philanthropy, we create positive impact by supporting communities, helping children thrive, and operating as a business for good. This includes our deep and long standing partnership with Milton Hershey School, where we invest in education, workforce readiness, and hands on engagement to help students succeed beyond the classroom. Supported by strategic grantmaking, product donations, cross brand collaboration, and strong employee volunteerism, Hershey offers a place to work where making a difference-locally and globally-is part of how we do business every day.

Job Location: Hershey, PA

• If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to please include a resume with relevant work experience.

Start Date: Two Hiring Classes, Starting on January 11, 2027 and January 25, 2027

Come Make More Moments of Goodness with us as a Production Operator!

The Hershey Company-West Hershey plant-is a Union plant producing products such as our famous Hershey Kisses, Nuggets, Milk Bars, Almond Bars, Rolo, Syrup & Cookies and Crème in a high-speed complex environment. As a Production Operator, you will work in a variety of roles in processing and packaging within the plant. Operators are responsible for maintaining our highest quality of food safety standards, sanitation standards, and production and packaging requirements.

Learn more about being a production operator! Take a quiz and see if this role would be a good match for you: https://mfgjobpreview.hersheys.com/

Pay:

• Starting Payrate: $27.55
• Manufacturing Incentive Plan Eligible
• Shift Differentials & Overtime Potential!
• Eligibility to bid for higher graded positions after Day 1

Total Rewards:

• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, & Vision)-Starting Day 1!
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - with generous company match
• Hershey Stock Purchase Program
• Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability
• Career Advancement Opportunities starting Day 1!

Shifts:

• We require that you are flexible to work any shift, weekends, overtime, and holidays.
• Schedule assignment upon hire is determined by plant needs. Once your training period begins, you will be assigned to a shift and/or schedule based on current plant need. You will be eligible to bid on other schedules, shifts and jobs.
• Traditional Work Schedule (TWS):

Regular schedule is 8-hour shifts, Monday through Friday. Mandatory overtime could be weekly (scheduled for up to 12 hours/day, Monday through Sunday), daily (additional 4 hours on your 8-hour shift) and weekends (8 to 12-hour shifts).

• Continuous Operations Schedule (COS):

12-hour rotating schedule requiring 7 workdays in a 14-day period.

Candidate Process:

Please note-communications will be through email and text. Ensure you have access to a valid email

• Applicants will complete a pre-hire assessment
• Qualified applicants will be sent an invitation for a phone screening with the recruiter
• Qualified applicants will be sent an invitation for an onsite interview
• Post-Offer Drug Screen, Physical and Background Check required*

Job Description:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operating processing and/or packaging equipment.
• Operating a fork truck
• Following and interpreting information from processes including, performing various quality checks (i.e., metal detectors, date codes, and weight systems) and following Autonomous Maintenance Programs (cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating equipment)
• Observing all safety procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and good housekeeping practices

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Proof of completion of a High School diploma/GED program
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend English
• Ability to understand and perform basic mathematics
• Basic computer knowledge with ability to find and enter information
• Must be flexible to work any shift during a 24-hour period (1st / 2nd / 3rd) and any variation of shift length (e.g., 8 hours or 12 hours) 1st / 2nd / 3rd (8- or 12-hour shifts). Must be available to work weekends, holidays and overtime

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a manufacturing/food manufacturing environment including the following: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Safe Quality Foods (SQF), Autonomous/Preventative Maintenance, Continuous Improvement, and Warehouse Management Systems such as SAP/LPR.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by state and federal law:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Work from heights and in confined spaces
• Repetitive use of hands, wrists, and forearms
• Work in variable temperatures (60-100 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Walking and standing for the majority of the shift
• Reaching, bending, stooping, and crawling
• Ability to work around large magnets

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The policy of The Hershey Company is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individuals race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The Hershey Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veterans.

You may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application process as a result of a disability.

You can request an accommodation via phone or email.

To request an accommodation via phone, please call +1 877-804-1794 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. You may also email a request for accommodation to ApplicationHelp@hersheys.com. Please be sure to include "Accommodation Needed" in the subject line. This will ensure that your email is routed to the appropriate contact who will handle your request.