G

Gehl Food & Beverage

Aseptic food and beverage manufacturing

Downline Operator

Full-Time
$19.50 - $28.68/hr
Entry
Lathrop, CA, USA
In Person
Manufacturing & Production OperationsMachine & Process Operation

About the job

Requirements
  • Must possess effective oral and listening skills necessary to communicate with team members, management, and customers.
  • Must be able to read and interpret logs and operational instructions.
  • Must have legible handwriting with proven writing capabilities to properly maintain documentation and recordkeeping.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain consistent attention to detail and sustained concentration to ensure accuracy, avoid distractions, and prevent process deviations.
  • Mathematical skills with the ability to convert between units of measure (e.g., gallons to pounds, percentages to batch quantities).
Responsibilities
  • Follow all safety, food safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices requirements, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, company policies, and proper use of personal protective equipment when working around machinery and product.
  • Train on required Downline systems under direct supervision; assist with basic machine operations while learning to operate equipment per standard operating procedures and manufacturer guidelines.
  • Support startup, operation, and shutdown activities; perform checks on pressures, flows, temperatures, and other parameters as directed.
  • Assist with quality and package integrity inspections by performing visual checks, verifying materials, and confirming codes match work orders.
  • Maintain accurate and legible documentation of production data, observations, and downtime events in a timely manner.
  • Follow proper material handling and first-in, first-out procedures; assist with staging, verifying, and organizing production materials.
  • Maintain cleanliness and support 5S standards to ensure an organized and compliant work area.
  • Report equipment issues, irregularities, alarms, or parameter deviations to a supervisor immediately.
  • Assist with basic Autonomous Maintenance tasks, including cleaning, inspection, and lubrication, as directed.
  • Develop technical knowledge of process flow, system functions, and regulatory requirements to progress toward Downline operator qualification.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

About the company

Gehl Food & Beverage manufactures food and beverage products in the United States using aseptic processing, which makes shelf-stable products that don’t require refrigeration. The company provides end-to-end services—from research and development to category management and validated packaging—along with manufacturing contracts for national brands, foodservice operators, retailers, and private-label programs. Its products are distributed widely across the U.S. through a high-efficiency distribution network, supported by a recently expanded Germantown, WI facility and new Colleton County operations with a $46 million investment and 106 jobs. Gehl aims to help customers bring products to market quickly and cost-effectively while expanding its manufacturing footprint, combining development-to-market services with large-scale aseptic production and broad multi-channel distribution.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Village of Germantown, Wisconsin

Founded

1896

Get referred to Gehl Food & Beverage

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • August 5, 2026: Gehl finished its Germantown expansion, adding manufacturing capacity.
  • Gehl’s Colleton County launch brought $46 million investment and 106 new jobs.
  • August 25, 2025: Gehl refinanced and acquired Crescent Dairy, expanding scale.

What critics are saying

  • Wind Point’s sale process, open since September 2023, distracts management and customers.
  • Crescent Dairy integration stretches through 2026, risking outages, cost overruns, and quality escapes.
  • High capital intensity makes future expansion dependent on lender appetite and margin discipline.

What makes Gehl Food & Beverage unique

  • Gehl’s aseptic lines make shelf-stable dairy and beverages for national brands.
  • Its Germantown and Colleton County plants provide validated, end-to-end manufacturing capacity.
  • Gehl sells through nearly every U.S. retail channel, including convenience and foodservice.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Referral Bonus

Employee Discounts

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

4%
WP Partners
Oct 10th, 2023
Companies | Portfolio | Wind Point Partners

Acquired: January 2002Divested: June 2004