General Laborer

Sonoco • Holyoke, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The General Laborer works in a manufacturing mill in a labor-intensive role and receives training across several jobs, including paper machine operations, forklift loading and unloading, assembly and mechanical work, computer use to print machine schedules and generate labels, and operation of a core cutter. The job includes working with paper and slitting equipment, maintaining the assigned area, and following strict safety and attendance policies. Work takes place in a hot, humid environment, and the facility operates 24 hours a day, so positions must remain staffed.

The position follows a rotating schedule: five days on first shift (7 a.m.–3 p.m.), two days off; five days on second shift (3 p.m.–11 p.m.), one day off; five days on third shift (11 p.m.–7 a.m.), two days off; then repeat. Pay is $24.09, with shift differentials of $0.75 per hour for second shift and $1.00 per hour for third shift. Employees are eligible for a weekly machine incentive bonus.

Safety equipment must be worn as required. Safety glasses, hearing protection, protective gloves, and steel-toed safety shoes are required; hard hats, arm guards, cut-resistant gloves, and a heat cape are required for specific tasks. The company provides non-prescription safety glasses, ear plugs, a hard hat, and cut-resistant gloves. Employees must provide their own steel-toed shoes, and jewelry is not allowed.

Requirements

• Ability to lift and move heavy items.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, including employee-provided steel-toed shoes.
• Comply with the strict attendance policy and safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Follow safe standard procedures for all assigned tasks.
• Lift and move heavy items.
• Assist with machine start-up.
• Remove paper from all areas after a sheet break or start-up.
• Haul rejected rolls to the roll splitter and split rolls when necessary.
• Retrieve necessary shipping materials from the storage area.
• Inspect powered equipment each shift and complete the daily forklift inspection sheet.
• Train on operating a fork truck and/or Bobcat.
• Maintain housekeeping in the assigned area.
• Assist with setting up slitting equipment.
• Perform manual labor such as handling slit rolls of paper, threading dryers after a sheet break, and picking up wet scrap paper when the machine is down.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, including FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources, including an Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Company-paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans, including life, personal accident, and disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Weekly machine incentive bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed