Production Assistant – Artist Materials Manufacturing
Natural Pigments is a small manufacturer of high-quality artist materials located in Willits, California. We make pigments, oil colors, watercolors, mediums, wax-based paints, and related materials for artists, conservators, and art-materials specialists.
We are hiring a full-time Production Assistant to help with small-batch manufacturing, filling, labeling, packaging, cleaning, inventory preparation, and production documentation. This is an onsite, hands-on role for someone who is careful, reliable, organized, and willing to learn specialized production work.
This is an entry-to-mid-level position. The employee will begin with supervised production-support tasks and may be cross-trained on additional artist-materials manufacturing processes as training progresses.
Pay and Schedule
$18.00–$20.00 per hour, depending on relevant experience
Full-time, nonexempt hourly position
Monday–Friday day shift
Typical schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a 30-minute unpaid meal period
Onsite work in Willits, California
Primary Responsibilities
Assist with preparing, filling, labeling, packaging, and organizing artist materials.
Weigh and measure materials accurately using scales and written instructions.
Follow written formulas, batch sheets, production notes, labels, and supervisor directions.
Assist with pigments, powders, oils, waxes, containers, labels, packaging materials, and finished goods.
Clean equipment, containers, tools, tables, and work areas according to instructions.
Complete production logs, batch records, lot-number notes, inventory notes, and quality-control checklists accurately and legibly.
Check products for correct labels, clean packaging, fill level, lot information, and general appearance.
Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe production area.
Use required personal protective equipment and follow safety procedures.
Assist with packaging, inventory, and shipping-support tasks when production priorities require it.
Learn multiple production-support tasks so the company can maintain consistent output and better share production knowledge across the team.
Required Qualifications
Ability to work onsite in Willits, California.
Reliable attendance and punctuality for scheduled shifts.
Ability to follow written instructions, formulas, safety procedures, and supervisor directions.
Strong attention to detail, especially with weights, measurements, labels, lot numbers, and written records.
Ability to perform repetitive hands-on work while maintaining accuracy and quality.
Comfortable working with powders, pigments, oils, waxes, and other production materials while using required PPE.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, and lift or move production materials as needed, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.
Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and work cooperatively in a small team.
Must be at least 18 years old because the position involves manufacturing equipment and chemical-material handling.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in production, packaging, warehouse, lab, paint, ink, cosmetics, ceramics, food production, or similar hands-on work.
Experience weighing ingredients, following formulas, completing logs, or working from written procedures.
Experience using scales, mixers, filling tools, label printers, inventory systems, or similar equipment.
Interest in artists’ materials, pigments, color, painting, conservation, or craft manufacturing.
Benefits
Paid sick leave in accordance with California law
Paid time off according to company policy after eligibility requirements are met
Paid holidays according to company policy after eligibility requirements are met
Employee discount
On-the-job training
Weekday schedule
Small team environment
About the Work
Natural Pigments makes specialized materials rather than mass-market products. Accuracy, consistency, cleanliness, and care matter. This role is a good fit for someone who likes hands-on work, can follow detailed instructions, and wants to learn a niche form of craft manufacturing.
Natural Pigments is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Employment with Natural Pigments is at will.
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Are you comfortable using required PPE and working around powders, pigments, oils, waxes, and production materials?
- Briefly describe a job or task where you had to follow written instructions, weigh or measure materials, complete records, check labels, or inspect product quality.
- How many months or years of experience do you have in production, packaging, warehouse, lab, paint, ink production, or similar work?
Ability to Commute:
- Willits, CA 95490 (Required)
Work Location: In person
