Production Operator*

3M is hiring a Production Operator*. It pays $30/hr and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.

AI in this role

Operate technical equipment, monitor processes, and participate in lean manufacturing activities in a production plant environment.

computer-controls

manufacturingproduction-operationslean-manufacturing

Job Description:

Production Operator

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
As a Production Operator, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

Operating technical equipment in a safe, effective, and efficient manner
Maintaining a neat and orderly area and helping to maintain and promote safe working conditions.
Following standard operating procedures to support efficient business operations.
Monitoring equipment and taking appropriate action when unusual conditions occur
Driving hand and power trucks
Using a computer and computer controls to run process operation.
Working cooperatively with others and participating in Lean and process improvement activities

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

Possess a High School Diploma/GED or higher (completed and verified prior to start).
Able to work a rotating shift schedule consisting of days, afternoons, overnights, and weekends.
Able to work overtime as needed.
Two (2) years of work experience in Manufacturing or Production.

Qualified applicants will be required to take and pass 3M elected testing as a part of the selection process**.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

Minimum two (2) years of experience working in a manufacturing plant environment.
Self-motivated, team-oriented, excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail
Active Military Reservists and Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pay & Benefits

The starting rate of pay for this position is $29.75-$30.42. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Travel: May include up to 0%

Relocation Assistance: Not authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Chat with Max

For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers.

#INDPROD

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

3M Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement

Carefully read these Terms of Use before using this website. Your access to and use of this website and application for a job at 3M are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.

Please click on the following links and select the country where you are applying for employment to review the applicable Terms of Use (link here) and Privacy Policy (link here). Before submitting your application, you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.

How we rate this

Production Operator* at 3M rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Open the description and count.

Key facts

Production Operator* is an open job at 3M.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed pay is $30/hr.
The role is based in US, Minnesota, Cottage Grove.
The job was posted on October 6, 2026.
Seniority: mid.
Applications are handled by 3M. Apply on 3M

Prepare for this job

A free preview built only from this posting: what it asks for, what you could be asked in an interview, and how to adjust your resume.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

ManufacturingProduction OperationsLean ManufacturingComputer Controls

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where production operations was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where lean manufacturing was part of your work. What did you do?
What's a project where you used Computer Controls hands-on?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Manufacturing, Production Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Computer Controls. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them — a tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

Want an expert to read your CV for this job?

Free. Send your CV and the role you want next. We reply by email within 2 to 4 business days.

Get a free CV review