Extruder Operator

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 role ensures consistent product quality, supports regulatory compliance, and collaborates closely with production teams to meet daily output targets while minimizing waste.

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.
• Support and enforce GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and FDA/food regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintain strict hygiene and sanitation standards on the production floor and around equipment.
• Prevent cross-contamination between batches by following proper handling and cleaning procedures.
• Conduct in-process quality checks, including moisture, appearance, and density tests, and act on deviations.
• Accurately label and segregate batches to ensure proper identification and traceability.
• Meet daily production targets while minimizing material waste and downtime.
• Record detailed batch data, including ingredients, lot numbers, machine settings, and output quantities.
• Adjust process variables as needed to maintain consistent product quality and adherence to specifications.
• Coordinate with upstream mixing teams and downstream drying and packaging teams to ensure smooth workflow.
• Perform cleaning and sanitation of equipment, including CIP (clean-in-place) and COP (clean-out-of-place) where applicable.
• Disassemble and clean dies, screws, and feed systems as required for sanitation and maintenance.
• Identify and promptly report abnormalities such as unusual noise, vibration, or inconsistent output.
• Assist maintenance technicians during equipment maintenance and repairs.
• Install, configure, and calibrate food extrusion equipment to meet production and quality requirements.
• Troubleshoot process-related issues and make appropriate adjustments or escalate when necessary.
• Ensure all equipment meets food-grade and sanitation standards at all times.
• Conduct changeovers between products or recipes efficiently and in compliance with cleaning and documentation requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation for audits and traceability, maintaining accurate and complete records.
• Train other operators on proper machine operation, hygiene practices, and safety procedures.
• Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.

• 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.

• 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.

This opportunity offers the stability of a large, well-established organization that provides strong job security and a clear path to permanent employment. Once hired on permanently, you gain access to a comprehensive benefits package that supports your long-term well-being. You join a production team that values safety, quality, and continuous improvement, and you have the chance to grow your technical skills in a specialized food manufacturing environment. The structured interview process, including an onsite tour, allows you to see the facility, meet key team members, and understand the operation before you join.

Work Environment

This role takes place in a food manufacturing facility with exposure to both hot and cold climates. While performing daily duties, you regularly work around moving mechanical parts and active production lines. The environment can be wet and dusty, with exposure to steam, water, and slurry, reflecting the nature of extrusion and related processes. The position follows structured shift schedules, including first shift from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and second shift from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with initial training provided on first shift. You work closely with production, mixing, drying, and packaging teams and operate and clean specialized food-grade extrusion equipment designed to meet strict sanitation standards.

Job Type & Location

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

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)

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

This position is anticipated to close on May 12, 2026.

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.