---
title: 'Manufacturing Operator - General at Tekton'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-operator-general-tekton-grand-rapids-mrbgjs1k2f5m'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Manufacturing Operator - General at Tekton

- **Company:** Tekton
- **Location:** Grand Rapids, MI
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2023-02-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/tekton/2865edc0-b9a0-4d3d-bfad-c896b0c3a593

## Job description

As a Manufacturing Operator - General, you physically transform our products through the use of a variety of equipment such as pneumatic and hydraulic presses, fiber marking lasers, and electric benders. You must be able to do this work consistently, accurately, and quickly while following our established procedures and meeting quality standards.

## Responsibilities

- • Work at a fast and error-free pace
- • Follow strict procedures that efficiently move and track physical inventory from bin locations to work cells and back
- • Assist in the design, setup, and optimization of new and existing processes
- • Help manage and replenish work cell resources including consumables, fixtures, and tooling
- • Develop and execute preventative maintenance tasks on manufacturing equipment
- • Deeply understand our quality expectations, and take action when products do not meet the standard
- • Keep your work cell and surrounding areas clean, organized, and safe
- • Give feedback about our current processes and help the department create a culture of continuous improvement

Indicators of a good match for this role

- • You are aligned with Tekton’s philosophy, ways of thinking, and work style
- • You enjoy working at a fast pace
- • You pay great attention to detail
- • You are interested in machines, tools, and creating
- • You have exceptional values including honesty, integrity, and empathy

Baseline qualifications

- • Capable of working on your feet the entire shift and repeatedly lifting 20 - 45 pounds
- • Eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

## Your first 30 days

- You will rotate through several work areas to become familiar with a variety of production processes and equipment. After 30 days of employment, you will have a meeting with your supervisor and another with Human Resources to talk about how it is going in the role.

What it's like in Tekton's Manufacturing Center

- Surroundings: You will be working in a bright, clean Manufacturing Center around people, manufacturing machinery, and material handling equipment like pickers and forklifts.
- Noise level: Noise levels vary depending on which machines are operating; however, it is typically not loud enough where hearing protection is required.
- Safety: Safety is important to us, and we take it seriously. We provide protective gear such as vests, gloves, eye protection, and floor mats.
- Temperature: Our Manufacturing Center has heating and air conditioning. Temperatures can vary between 60 - 80°F depending on the season.
- Dress code: Clothes should be comfortable to twist, lift, and bend in. Closed-toe shoes are required.

Pay range

- $18.50 - $24.00 per hour
- + $1.00 per hour premium for full-time second shift employees

## Benefits package

- Full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, life, hospital indemnity, and long-term disability insurance; paid time off; a 401(k) program; and tuition reimbursement. Part-time employees receive a modified benefits package which includes a 401(k) program, paid time off, and a tuition reimbursement program.

Location and hours

- This is an hourly position located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Full-time and part-time positions are available on first or second shift. Full-time employees are required to work an average of 40 - 45 hours per week. Overtime is optional but may be required at times. Part-time employees are required to work an average of 20 hours per week. Schedules are flexible. We are able to change employee start and end times or make special arrangements for scheduling conflicts.

Apply Link

- https://apply.tekton.com/tekton/form/EmploymentApplicationOfficeProfessional/formperma/QEzCr1L38ltu_2Lm_p-KtJC_UEnznk3RQatsM9_4u_Q

Direct supervisor

- Manufacturing Production Manager

## About the department

- The Manufacturing department produces a select but expanding number of Tekton tools. We are rapidly advancing our manufacturing capabilities with new equipment, technologies, and processes.

## About Tekton

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: TEKTON designs and manufactures high-quality hand tools and tool organization systems for professionals and serious DIYers, sold direct-to-consumer and through authorized dealers.
- **Entity Type**: Private (family-owned, bootstrapped)
- **Headquarters**: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
- **Founded**: 1963
- **Founders**: Not publicly available (family-owned business)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Hand tools manufacturing and retail (ecommerce)
- Target customers: B2C (professional tradespeople, serious DIYers, hobbyists) and B2B (via authorized dealers)
- Mission statement: "To make the world's best hand tools accessible to every person."

## Products & Services
- **Sockets & Ratchets**: Systems of hand drive sockets and ratchets, including impact sockets, organized logically by size and type.
- **Wrenches**: A full line of wrenches, with U.S.-sourced steel for in-house production.
- **Screwdrivers & Pliers**: Core hand tool categories with a focus on classic design and refined function.
- **Tool Organization**: Stacking tool boxes and drawers built on the L-BOXX platform, with custom-cut foam inserts to keep every tool in place.
- **Sets**: Assembled sets from individual components to maintain consistency; no sizes are skipped, even rare ones.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private, family-owned)
- **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (revenue is not disclosed)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not applicable (bootstrapped, family-owned)
- **Growth Signals**: Growing U.S. manufacturing operations (cutting, engraving, polishing steel, molding plastic, finishing and assembly); 152 total employees; actively hiring across multiple departments; expanding its product lineup with a focus on U.S.-sourced materials for in-house production.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Family-Owned & Independent**: Not beholden to outside investors, allowing long-term product quality and design decisions over short-term profit.
- **Best-in-Class Warranty**: "Best warranty service in the industry" — no time limits, no receipts required, and free shipping on replacements within the U.S. and Canada.
- **Orderly Tool System**: A single, consistent line of tools organized logically by size and type, making it easy for users to invest in a complete system.
- **U.S. Manufacturing**: In-house manufacturing with U.S.-sourced steel for wrenches, picks, hooks, and pry bars; an industry leader in agile manufacturing methods for fast engineering improvements.
- **Transparent Sourcing**: Clearly lists country of origin for every tool on its website; 81% made in Taiwan, 12.5% in the U.S., with the remainder from Canada, Germany, Sweden, Poland, and Slovakia.

## Strategic Focus
- **Growing U.S. Manufacturing**: Expanding in-house production capabilities to increase the percentage of tools made in the United States.
- **Direct-to-Consumer Model**: Prioritizing Tekton.com for same-day shipping and direct customer relationships, while maintaining an authorized dealer network.
- **Product System Expansion**: Continuing to build out a complete, organized tool system with no skipped sizes, targeting professionals and serious users.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: "Be Authentic" — a welcoming, fulfilling, and honest work environment with smart, hard-working, creative people. Emphasis on collaboration, candor, and dedication.
- **Work Policy**: On-site roles in Grand Rapids, MI. Openings include Fulfillment, Manufacturing (CNC, Finishing, General, Sewing), Product Development, Technology (Software Developer), Ecommerce (Photographer/Videographer, Technical Marketing), and User Services (Support Specialist).
- **Compensation**: Pay is based on contribution and effectiveness, not tenure. "Impressive compensation for impressive performance."
- **Onboarding**: Immersive onboarding with hands-on experience across all departments and meetings with key leaders.
- **Career Development**: Encourages ownership of projects and processes; supports growth of abilities and skills, even if that means moving to a new role inside or outside Tekton.
- **Benefits (Full-Time)**: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance; HSA contribution; paid holidays and PTO; tuition reimbursement; paid family leave.
- **Benefits (Part-Time)**: PTO.
- **Engineering Culture**: In-house manufacturing and agile methods mean engineers and product developers have direct, hands-on impact on physical product design and production.

## Sources
1. [tekton.com - About Us](https://www.tekton.com/about-us)
2. [tekton.com - Careers](https://www.tekton.com/careers)
3. [jobs.lever.co/tekton - Current Openings](https://jobs.lever.co/tekton)
4. [tekton.com - Homepage](https://www.tekton.com/)
5. [builtin.com - Tekton Company Profile](https://builtin.com/company/tekton)

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