Job Overview

We are hiring an Industrial Master Mixer for a full-time, contract-to-hire opportunity in Manteno, IL. This is a hands-on bakery manufacturing role responsible for preparing dough batches according to established formulas, recipes, and production schedules.

The Master Mixer oversees the mixing process from ingredient weighing and scaling through mixing times, dough temperatures, batch quality, troubleshooting, and documentation. The role also helps coordinate mixing workflow and provides guidance to less-experienced Mixing Operators.

Responsibilities

Review production schedules and recipe sheets to determine batch requirements and sequencing.
Accurately weigh, measure, and stage dry and liquid ingredients.
Verify ingredients, lot numbers, expiration dates, allergen status, and FIFO requirements.
Load ingredients into industrial mixers according to established formulas and proper sequencing.
Monitor mixing times, speeds, dough temperatures, hydration, elasticity, consistency, and overall batch quality.
Troubleshoot under-mixing, over-mixing, improper hydration, ingredient clumping, and other batch inconsistencies.
Conduct in-process quality checks and escalate out-of-specification results when necessary.
Accurately complete batch documentation, including ingredient weights, mix times, temperatures, lot codes, deviations, and adjustments.
Coordinate mixing workflow and maintain timely batch flow to production.
Help guide and train less-experienced Mixing Operators.
Inspect mixing equipment before use and report malfunctions or safety concerns.
Assist with equipment cleaning, sanitation, changeovers, and ingredient staging.
Follow GMP, allergen-control, sanitation, food-safety, PPE, and equipment-safety procedures.

Required Qualifications

3+ years of bakery manufacturing experience, particularly in dough mixing or processing.
Previous experience as a Mixer Operator, Dough Maker, Lead Mixer, or similar bakery-production role.
Hands-on experience operating industrial mixing equipment.
Ability to accurately weigh, measure, and document ingredients and production batches.
Ability to evaluate dough quality and troubleshoot batch inconsistencies.
Experience with allergen controls and food-manufacturing procedures.
Familiarity with HACCP, GMP, SQF, and food-safety requirements.
Leadership or team-lead experience involving mixing workflow and employee training.
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with variable temperatures and loud machinery.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and stand or walk for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to work up to six days per week based on business and production needs.

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Experience operating spiral, horizontal, and/or planetary industrial mixers.
Experience with automated ingredient-dosing systems, water meters, hydraulic lifts, dough troughs, or hoppers.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay: $26.00–$30.00 per hour.
Schedule: 1st and 2nd shift opportunities available.
Assignment: Contract-to-Hire.

Upon eligible client hire, benefits include:

Health, dental, and vision coverage.
401(k) with company match.
Paid time off.
Growth and development opportunities.
Additional benefits.

Why Apply

This is an opportunity for an experienced bakery mixing professional to take ownership of a more advanced mixing process while remaining hands-on with production. The role offers responsibility for dough quality, troubleshooting, batch accuracy, workflow coordination, and mentoring less-experienced operators in a food-manufacturing environment.

You should be proficient in:

Equipment Troubleshooting
Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills
Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA)
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Compounder
Mixing
Blending
Weighing Raw Materials
Maintenance and Repair Skills
Precision Measurement & Inspection
High School / GED
Excellent Communication Skills
Shop Math Skills
Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
Basic Computer Skills