Production Associate

Job Title: Production Associate

Reporting To: General Manager

Location: Chicago, IL (Lincoln Park Kitchen)

Company: JustFoodForDogs LLC

Job Type: Part-time, ExemptAbout JustFoodForDogs:

Job Overview: We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Production Associate to join our team at JustFoodForDogs, a leading pet food company committed to producing high-quality, nutritious meals for pets. The Production Associate will be responsible for preparing and cooking pet food recipes, maintaining cleanliness, and adhering to strict health and safety standards. This is an ideal position for someone passionate about animal health and food production.

Key Responsibilities: Ingredient Preparation: Weigh, measure, and prepare raw ingredients according to specific recipes for various pet food products. Cooking, Mixing, & Packing: Operate kitchen equipment to cook, mix, and package pet food batches, ensuring consistency and quality in each product. Recipe Adherence: Follow precise recipes and production guidelines to create nutritionally balanced meals for pets. Food Safety Compliance: Adhere to all food safety and hygiene regulations, including proper handling of raw materials and cooked products. Equipment Maintenance: Clean and maintain kitchen equipment and workspaces to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient production environment. Batch Documentation: Accurately record batch information and ingredient usage for quality control and traceability purposes. Stock Management: Assist in receiving, storing, and organizing ingredients and supplies, ensuring inventory is rotated properly. Health & Safety: Follow strict sanitation guidelines, wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhering to all company and legal safety protocols.

Experience: Previous experience in food preparation, commercial kitchens, or food production is preferred, but not required. Physical Ability: Ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and perform physically demanding tasks in a fast-paced environment. Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy, cleanliness, and quality in following recipes and food production standards. Communication: Basic communication skills to work effectively with kitchen staff and management. Teamwork: A positive attitude and ability to collaborate effectively with the kitchen and production teams. Time Management: Punctuality and reliability in meeting assigned shift schedules. Health & Hygiene Standards: Knowledge or willingness to learn about food safety standards related to pet food production. Shift Flexibility: Willingness to work early mornings, nights, weekends, or overtime as needed based on production demands. Dependability: Demonstrates strong commitment to attendance and punctuality by consistently arriving on time, maintaining reliability, being flexible with scheduling, and communicating proactively about any conflicts or emergencies.

Disclaimer: Please note that this position involves working with both raw and cooked ingredients such as poultry, fish, peanuts, and other allergens. If you have food-related allergies or require reasonable accommodations, please contact our Human Resources department.

Tenets of the Pack (Company Values): Live Our Mission – We believe this is more than a job. It’s a cause. Be a Team Player – We put company goals and success first. Maintain a Positive Attitude – We bring energy, enthusiasm, and drive to everything we do. Deliver Results – We play to win. JUSTFOODFORDOGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. JUSTFOODFORDOGS does not discriminate due to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability, unemployment status or any other legally protected basis, and to the extent permitted by law. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.