About this role
Production Operator at The Hershey Company Requisition Number: 129881 Location: Stuarts Draft, VA
Anticipated Start Date: October 12, 2026
Pay: Starting Payrate: 26.88 per hour 1 Shift Differential for select shifts & Overtime Potential! Manufacturing Incentive Plan Eligible 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 13 paid holidays Vacation time available after probationary period AND 10 days vacation in year two
Shifts: We ask that you are flexible to work any shift, weekends, overtime and holidays Openings on 2nd and 3rd shift (8-hour shifts) 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. Mandatory overtime could be weekly (extra days scheduled) or daily (additional hours added to 8-hour shifts) or weekends (8 to 12-hour shifts).
Job Description: Come Make More Moments of Goodness with us as a Production Operator! The Hershey Company Stuarts Draft plant is a Non-Union plant producing products such as Reese’s (peanut butter cups, FastBreak, Sticks, Pieces, filled shapes and NutRageous), Baking Chips, Take5, Mounds, Almond Joy, Whatchamacallit & Cookie Layer Crunch, 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, perform daily audits, and complete daily production paperwork.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Operate processing or packaging equipment as assigned
- Perform various checks to include metal detector, date code and weight systems checks
- Clean, inspect and lubricate equipment as part of our Autonomous Maintenance program
- Observe safety procedures
- Observe Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Observe good housekeeping practices
- Complete quality checks and associated daily production paperwork
Required Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age by time of hire.
- Must possess a High School diploma/GED by time of hire.
- Must be able to read, write, and comprehend English.
- Must be able to lift up to 25-50 lbs.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be available to work weekends, holidays and overtime
- Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, decimals, and whole numbers.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and support staff
- Basic computer skills.
- Must have a valid e-mail address that is checked daily
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.
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 individual's 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.