New Starting Pay - $26-29/hr
New hires are eligible for a $3,000 sign-on bonus.*

Clasen Quality Chocolate (CQC) is a world-class manufacturer of chocolate and innovative coatings. We have recently been awarded the Top Workplaces Award by the WI State Journal - No. 2 Large Employer and the Benefits Award. CQC has been growing double digits annually because of our flexibility, commitment, respect and integrity, and we are looking for quality individuals to join our team. Working for a family-owned company provides you with the opportunity to wear many different “hats,” make a difference every day, and have fun doing it! We are committed to being an Employer of Choice in Southern Wisconsin and offering our employees a variety of traditional and unconventional benefits.

We are currently accepting applications for full-time Machine Operators / Technicians in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Watertown, WI, conveniently located between Madison and Milwaukee.

NEW! Starting pay is $26.00 on Days and $29.00 on Nights (includes $3.00 night shift differential).

DAYS: 4:55am - 5:25pm. Week 1: Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat. Week 2: Sun, Wed, Thurs. $2000 sign on bonus

NIGHTS: 4:55pm-5:25am.

Option 1: Wednesday-Friday, every other Saturday. $2000 sign-on bonus + extra $1000*

Option 2: Sunday-Tuesday, every other Saturday. $2000 sign-on bonus

Because you're only working 3-4 days per week, you have more full days off for hobbies and time with friends and family. Also, there is 8-hours of built-in overtime during your 4-day workweek. Last, if you want to volunteer for an extra work day and its available, it is paid at double-time.

BENEFITS:

Bonus Potential – Perfect Attendance ($300+ quarterly) & Year-End (5%+)
Double Time Pay
Health, Dental, Vision Insurance (Low deductible and copays, LASIK reimbursement, adult orthodontics)
Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance
401(k) Match – up to 5%
Paid Vacation, Personal and Volunteer days plus 11 holidays
Onsite Fitness Facility
Paid maternity/paternity leave
Wellness: Free fruit, insurance discounts, gym and run/walk/bike event reimbursement, free wellness checks
Scholarships – Employee, spouse, and children
Summer Camp Reimbursement – children of employees
Tuition reimbursement
Employee appreciation events
Free chocolate and coating!

JOB SUMMARY: The primary purpose of a Technician is to read and understand coating recipes, produce chocolate and coating in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) procedures, and safety procedures, and also display competency in material handling. The Technician must also possess a great deal of flexibility in their ability to multi-task and maintain a team attitude in all actions taken.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

A Technician would be assigned to North or South plant responsibilities.
North Plant:

Mixing: Read recipe and add ingredients to mixer or bulk tank by hand and by using the plant control system (PCS).
Testing: Collect and test samples of product in various stages of the production process. Add necessary ingredients to the conches. Melt ingredients for production orders.
Refining: Prepare and operate the pre-refiner, refiners, and conches to achieve desired fineness and viscosity.

South Plant:

Chipline: Operate chipline depositor and troubleshoot color, shape, and size issues on finished products. Read, interpret, and mix bases, flavors, and dyes to meet product specifications. Melt ingredients for production orders. Collect and test samples of product in various stages of the production process. Add necessary ingredients to bulk tanks.
Packaging: Operate all packaging equipment to ensure product meets customer standards and complete all required paperwork and checks.
Sanitation: Utilize correct cleaning procedures to complete production and non-production cleaning responsibilities. Set up, tear down, and clean tanks, pipes, pumps, and plates.

Train and certify in the areas noted above within the designated time frames.
Make mixes and operate drum and pail filling equipment.
Inspect product for color, shape, size, flavor, and viscosity issues.
Read and interpret production and distribution schedules.
Understand and display competency in using the plant control system (PCS) and human machine interfaces (HMI).
Complete paperwork and log production information accurately (labor reports, recipe weight, waste sheets, Master Sanitation Schedule (MSS) sheets, etc.).
Operate forklift and other material handling equipment.
Attend team, safety, and quality meetings, complete the necessary training / certification required by supervision, and train others as needed. Perform all tasks assigned by the supervisor, while following all company, safety, and quality policies and procedures. Cover for other employees while on break/lunch. Maintain regular attendance at work, and work overtime as needed.

We encourage you to apply directly with us; however, we do utilize a staffing agency, Celerity Staffing Solutions, as an alternative way to get a foot in the door at CQC. 920-206-8665, watertown@celeritystaffing.com, 138 Hospital Drive #200, Watertown, WI.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma or equivalent
3 years of complex industrial experience (machine operation, troubleshooting, mechanical, etc.)
Food manufacturing experience would be helpful, but not required
Previous experience lifting 55 lbs. is preferred
Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, RSS, Microsoft Navision, Plant Control Systems, and/or Label Management would be helpful

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Lift 55 pounds, sometimes repetitively
Stand and walk for a 12-hour shift
Speak, write and read in English
Perform math at an intermediate level (multiplication, division, fractions, etc.)
Work at heights above 10 feet and in extreme heat
Work with allergens, such as soy, milk, etc.
Positive, can-do attitude and flexibility to perform a variety of tasks
Multi-tasking, problem-solving and decision-making skills
Accuracy and attention to detail
Demonstrate range-of-motion, strength, and physical stamina needed to safely perform the job in fast-paced work environment.
Remain alert to safety hazards, maintain attention to stay on task, manage time effectively, and work independently and in a team to complete assigned tasks.

CQC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, protected veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information, please visit our website at www.cqc.com

*$2,000 after successful completion of the introductory period and $1,000 after 6 months of employment. Applies to Watertown Machine Operator/Technician applicants from 2/25/25 to end of promotion.

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