Process Operator

Location: Sycamore, IL

About the Role

We are seeking motivated, safety-focused individuals to join our team as Process Operators at our Sycamore IL facility. This is a hands-on manufacturing position in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

As a Process Operator, you will play a critical role in the processing and packaging of raw materials and finished products. Successful candidates will help ensure the highest standards of food safety, quality, operational efficiency, and workplace safety while contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

Role Purpose

The Process Operator plays a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the Sycamore IL facility. This position is responsible for supporting production activities, including blending, sifting, processing, and packaging raw materials and finished goods. The Process Operator ensures product quality and food safety standards are maintained throughout the production process and contributes to the safe and efficient operation of the facility.

Key Relationships

The Process Operator interfaces with all levels of the Sycamore Plant organization and works closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Sanitation, and Customer Service to support safe, efficient, and high-quality operations.

Main Accountabilities

• Carry out responsibilities and duties in accordance with food safety, legal, and quality requirements to ensure products are fit for human consumption.
• Comply with EHS policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Monitor and support production processes in accordance with established procedures and work instructions.
• Assist with blending, sifting, packaging, and processing activities.
• Monitor product quality to identify, discard, or rework defective products.
• Maintain accurate daily production records to support manufacturing performance analysis.
• Take responsibility for personal actions and work performance.
• Perform work in a manner that does not present a risk to self, others, or the environment.
• Comply with all environmental standards, procedures, and work instructions.
• Report environmental violations, near misses, unsafe acts, incidents, defects, hazards, and procedural inadequacies to ensure appropriate corrective action is taken.
• Actively participate in safety programs, including training, auditing, and reporting incidents or near misses.
• Identify and recommend improvements to systems and work methods to support safe, environmentally responsible, reliable, and cost-effective operations.
• Maintain and exceed housekeeping, GMP, and food safety standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Tate & Lyle complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

When determining final compensation, we take into consideration: skillset, job scope, knowledge, prior experience, cost of living, market data, budget availability, and other factors as permitted by law.

The pay range for this position is $22.78-$29.37 per hour. Second Shift (1:30-10:00 PM) will receive a $1.00 shift premium and Third Shift (9:30 PM-6:00 AM) will receive a $1.50 Shift Premium.

In addition to competitive pay, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, Vision coverages
• Paid time off package, including vacation, sick time, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance
• Additional benefits at no cost to employees such as: Lifestyle Spending Account, Identity Theft protection, Employee Assistance Program, telemedicine and more!

In addition to your Total Rewards, culture and ED&I are very important to Tate & Lyle.  We offer multiple Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that support various communities.

What We're Looking For

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience required.
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds throughout a 10-hour workday.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to repeatedly climb stairs and ladders.
• Ability to bend, squat, reach, and perform routine physical tasks.
• Ability to manipulate bags weighing up to 50 pounds on a repetitive basis.

Preferred Experience

• Previous manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, or food production experience preferred.
• Prior experience in a food manufacturing environment is a plus but is not required for entry-level candidates.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong commitment to safety and safe work practices.
• Mechanically inclined with the ability to learn production processes, equipment operation, and basic troubleshooting.
• Ability to follow written procedures and work instructions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Commitment to GMP, food safety, and quality standards.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage priorities.
• Willingness to learn new skills and cross-train in multiple plant functions.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Continuous improvement of mindset and commitment to operational excellence.
• Flexibility to work varying schedules, overtime, weekends, or holidays as business needs require.

Core Competencies

• Strong, positive safety mindset.
• Accountability and ownership of work.
• Reliability and dependability.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Continuous improvement orientation.
• Quality and customer focus.
• Basic understanding of EHSQ principles and workplace behaviors.
• Understanding of and commitment to J2E principles.

Physical & Work Environment

This position works in a manufacturing and warehouse environment and requires frequent walking, standing, climbing stairs, lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, and operating equipment. Employees may be exposed to varying temperatures, production equipment, powered industrial vehicles, and food manufacturing ingredients and materials. Appropriate PPE must be worn as required.

Our Commitment to Safety and Quality

Safety, food safety, quality, and environmental stewardship are fundamental to everything we do. All employees are expected to:

• Follow EHSQ policies, procedures, and work instructions.
• Perform work safely and responsibly.
• Report incidents, hazards, defects, near misses, and procedural concerns.
• Participate in safety and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Help maintain a safe, environmentally responsible, reliable, and cost-effective operation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")

The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.