Overview
Join a premier candy manufacturer in Lexington, NC, as a Kitchen Utility Associate and play a key role in crafting quality sweet treats while building valuable skills in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- Steady Pay: $17.00/hour
- 2nd Shift: 4:30 PM – 2:30 AM (10 hour shifts, Monday to Saturday with lots of overtime during this peak season)
- Holiday Shutdowns: Typically shutdown for Thanksgiving and from Christmas through New Year's
- Rewards Program: Offers a chance to win a $25 gift card or $150 for Employee of the Month
- Paid Weekly: Get paid your way—direct deposit or pay card options
- Affordable Health Benefits After 30 Days: $5 copays, $5 prescriptions, and FREE telehealth services for you and your family!
- Award-Winning Culture: SIA Best Staffing Firm to Work For winner—investing in your success with great benefits, growth opportunities, and a people-first culture.
- Contract-to-Hire Opportunity: NO temps here—with Ōnin, you are a Teammate from day one! Whether your journey with us lasts two days or two years, we value your contribution.
What You’ll Do as a Kitchen Utility Associate:
- Support overall kitchen and production operations by performing flexible, cross-functional responsibilities across the floor.
- Operate the drum machine to pull soft candy from the belt into designated batch sizes.
- Load candy batches onto carts and transfer materials accurately to the correct production lines and batch tables.
- Pull and transport 10-pound portions of soft candy to the stripe table and return empty or used carts to staging areas.
- Accurately knead pre-measured colored powders and liquids into soft candy by hand for even color distribution.
- Monitor candy consistency, temperature, texture, and visual color accuracy to ensure product quality.
- Assist in unloading candy batches onto production equipment and perform daily sanitation of stripe tables and tools.
- Maintain clean, organized work areas around drum and batch staging spaces to comply with food safety standards.
- Strictly follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and Personal Production Safety (PPS) requirements.
- Assist in training team members on kneading techniques, color measurements, and material handling procedures.
Skills and Experience
What You’ll Bring as a Preferred Candidate:
- High physical endurance, with the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for up to 10 hours in a warm, fast-paced environment.
- Manual dexterity and hand/upper-body strength needed for repetitive kneading, pulling, and handling of sticky materials.
- Physical ability to repeatedly lift and carry 10-lb portions of candy and push/pull batch carts throughout the shift.
- Basic math skills for accurately measuring and adjusting color powder and liquid formulas.
- Strong visual awareness for defect detection, color accuracy, and overall product consistency.
- Excellent attendance and punctuality record.
- Strong situational awareness and safety vigilance to maintain a safe working environment.
- Continuous improvement mindset, willingness to learn, and a positive, team-oriented attitude.
We don’t hire temps, we hire TEAMMATES!
Benefits
Don't miss this chance to enhance your experience in a manufacturing environment while enjoying competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Weekly pay
- $5 prescription drugs
- $5 doctor's visit copays
- Free teledoctor service
- Free counseling services
- Life insurance included
- Vision insurance included
- Dental insurance included
- Vacation and holiday pay
- Scholarship Opportunities
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Free legal services
- Our unbeatable employee discount program
Apply today with Ōnin Staffing Kernersville —your next opportunity is just a click away!
