Production Associate-1st Shift

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 5:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Overtime may be required during busy season.

PAY FREQUENCY: Weekly Pay

SALARY: Starting at $16.25 per hour

As a Production Associate in our Assembly Department, you'll play an important role in building the high-quality products that define Children's Factory. Working as part of a collaborative production team, you'll help assemble and prepare products according to established specifications while maintaining our commitment to quality, safety, and efficiency.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work, takes pride in attention to detail, and thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Whether you're experienced in production work or looking to begin a manufacturing career, you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills while contributing to products used by children every day.

In this role, you'll help transform components and materials into finished products that meet our quality standards. Every day, you'll contribute to the success of the team by supporting efficient production and maintaining a safe, organized workspace.

You'll be trusted to:

• Assist in the assembly and production of products according to established specifications and standards
• Operate machinery and equipment under supervision while following safety procedures
• Perform quality checks to ensure products meet company standards and customer expectations
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area
• Collaborate with team members and supervisors to meet daily production goals and deadlines
• Participate in training opportunities and continuous improvement initiatives to develop your skills
• Follow company policies and procedures related to safety, quality, and attendance
• Adapt to changing priorities and support the team wherever needed

This is a role where your reliability, attention to detail, and commitment to quality make a direct impact on the products we deliver.

You're someone who enjoys hands-on work, follows instructions carefully, and takes pride in contributing to a team effort. You bring a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn.

The ideal candidate will have:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment (preferred but not required)
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
• Basic math skills for measurements and calculations
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Willingness to work flexible hours and adapt to changing priorities
• Familiarity with manufacturing safety procedures (a plus)
• Consistent attendance and reliability

You should also feel comfortable performing the physical requirements of the job, including standing and walking for extended periods, bending, stooping, reaching, lifting up to 50 lbs., and working in a fast-paced production environment with moving equipment and occasional noise.

Work alongside dedicated teammates who value collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement.

We support professional development and provide opportunities to learn new skills and advance within our organization.

Your work will help create innovative products that support learning, creativity, and development for children around the world.

• 12 Paid Holidays - Including Christmas Eve and the Day After Thanksgiving so you can enjoy more time with family
• Generous PTO Accrual - Because work-life balance matters
• Paid Parental Leave - Support for growing families
• Volunteer Time Off - Give back to the community while getting paid
• Generous 401(k) Company Match - Helping you plan for your future
• Educational Assistance - Invest in your career growth with tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive Benefits - Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting the first of the month following your date of hire

It all started with a need: safe, soft play environments for preschoolers didn't exist. From this realization, our founders created the first geometric foam shapes, sewn by a local women's quilting group in the back of an old tavern. What began as a small, family-driven endeavor grew into a company with a big vision - helping children explore, grow, and learn through purposeful, fun, and imaginative products.

Today, we operate from two facilities in Union, Missouri, employing more than 100 dedicated individuals, many with over 25 years of experience. Their passion and craftsmanship ensure every product meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and care. Rooted in Midwestern values of hard work, collaboration, and family, we're proud to create tools that spark creativity, confidence, and growth for children, caregivers, and educators alike.

Our founders didn't just build a company; they built a community - opening their home to over 30 foster children and inspiring us to do more. Guided by their legacy, we continue to innovate, expanding our impact to foster learning, nurture children, and support those shaping the next generation.

At Children's Factory, we believe the future is built one moment of play at a time. Together, let's create a world where every child can imagine, inspire, and learn.

Children's Factory is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Children's Factory is an Excelligence Company. Excelligence is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants and other covered persons without regard to unlawful considerations of race, color, religion or creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws.