Jobs › Silgan

This position has closed. Silgan first posted this listing on Apr 11, 2024. It is still on their careers page, but a job that old is almost certainly not being filled, so we took it down on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Machine Operator

Silgan · Flora, IL · Full time

Posted Apr 11, 2024 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you figured out why a machine wasn't running right.

What they are checking: Whether they have a logical troubleshooting mindset, which the posting asks for directly.

How do you explain a machine or quality problem to a supervisor or technician so they can act on it fast?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate clearly with details, which speeds up repairs.

Tell me about a time you had to keep up with a fast pace for a full shift.

What they are checking: Whether they have the stamina and focus for production work over a long shift.

What does good housekeeping around a machine look like to you?

What they are checking: Whether they keep their area clean and organized because it affects safety and product quality.

What would you do

Your machine's scrap rate starts going up during your shift. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they notice trends, try basic fixes and raise it quickly rather than letting waste pile up.

A supervisor gives you an instruction you think might cause a quality problem. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise concerns respectfully while still following direction.

About the work

What does it mean to you to keep a machine running safely according to GMP and housekeeping standards?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that clean, safe operation matters as much as output in packaging for food and consumer products.

How would you check bottles to make sure they meet quality specs, and how would you record it?

What they are checking: Whether they take inspection and documentation seriously, including entering checks in the SPC software.

Have you done a color change or product changeover before? How did you make sure it was done right?

What they are checking: Whether they follow changeover steps carefully so off-color bottles don't reach the customer.

What kind of minor preventive maintenance have you done on equipment you ran?

What they are checking: Whether they care for their machine instead of waiting for maintenance to find problems.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Silgan from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Silgan.

For more than 50 years, Silgan Plastics has defined the plastic bottling industry from technical innovation to creative packaging solutions. No matter what your packaging needs, Silgan can and will handle them. From creation to commercialization, our customized approach to each customer's requirements is what sets us apart from the rest. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Machine Operator is responsible for keeping machine running during their shift and producing items that meet the stablished specifications while also focusing Safety, Quality and Housekeeping. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: • Ensuring machine is functioning safely in accordance with GMP and housekeeping standards • Understanding of bottle quality requirements and documentation of those requirements • Sustain efficiencies and scrap on production machines that meet company goals • Ability to effectively communicate machine, process, quality related issues • Effectively diagnose problems and logically troubleshoot tasks • Comply with direction from supervisors and managers • Perform and complete color changes when required • Perform minor preventive maintenance to the machines during their shift • Complete quality inspection and record them in our statistical process control software • Mechanical and Process related troubleshooting on specific processes in the plant • Perform any additional assigned duties as needed to support the plant LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER (Non-Canada) The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status. Silgan is a drug-free workplace. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER – Canada The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to accommodate individuals with disabilities. Silgan endeavors to provide accommodations to individuals with disabilities to perform their essential job duties as long as the accommodation does not pose an undue hardship on the company’s operations and does not pose a direct threat of substantial harm to the employee or others. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Employment is always subject to the Silgan’s rights as employer, including the right to end employment in accordance with Provincial Law. Silgan is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to any ground protected under Provincial human rights laws. Silgan is a drug-free workplace.

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