Role landing page (manufacturing • food industry)

Food Production Worker (Produktionshelfer Lebensmittel)

Hygiene-first production work on Germany-based projects: sorting, portioning, packing, labeling, and line support under strict quality rules. This page describes realistic expectations for English-speaking candidates and explains what we screen for.

Pay floor: €13.90/h gross (01 Jan 2026) Shifts: early / late / night (site-dependent) Locations: Berlin • Hamburg • Munich • NRW Format: project-based assignments
CV is mandatory. We do not review candidates without a CV. Use the CV builder: https://mavial.pl/en/cv.html.
Tip: add your last 2–3 similar projects (dates, tasks, tools, environment).
Quality & compliance signals

Updated content

We refresh this job-category information on a fixed schedule to keep pay-floor and compliance notes current.

Last updated:

All pay figures on this page are shown as gross (brutto). Exact offers and shift allowances depend on the project, role fit, and verified experience.

If your legal pathway starts with Polish documentation, use:

https://mavial.pl/zezwolenie.html

This is internal guidance content. It does not replace official decisions by authorities.

Day-to-day execution

What you will do

  • Support food production lines: sorting, packing, labeling, and basic line operations.
  • Follow hygiene rules (protective clothing, hand hygiene, zoning) and keep your workstation compliant.
  • Perform simple quality checks (visual control, weights, labels, traceability steps) and report deviations.
  • Work in a consistent pace environment, including shift schedules and repetitive tasks.
A realistic “shift story”

How a typical shift looks

A standard shift starts with hygiene entry (workwear, sanitation, brief safety instructions), then line allocation. You work in a controlled process: keep output stable, maintain clean handling, and confirm labels/quantities. The strongest candidates stay calm under pace, follow rules without shortcuts, and escalate issues early.

Focus keywords for this role: food production line, hygiene compliance, packaging, labeling, shift work, quality checks.
Screening criteria

Requirements (detailed)

  • CV in English (PDF preferred) with clear dates, duties, and environment (food / factory / packaging).
  • Discipline under hygiene rules: no shortcuts, consistent PPE use, clean handling mindset.
  • Shift readiness: early/late/night rotation and reliable attendance.
  • Physical tolerance: standing work, repetitive tasks, moving crates/boxes where applicable (within safe limits).
  • Basic English communication for onboarding and daily coordination. Basic German (A1–A2) is a strong advantage.
  • Clean background for food environments: ability to follow site access and hygiene checks required by clients.
Short candidate portrait

Who fits best

You are reliable, careful with hygiene, comfortable with structured rules, and able to keep a steady pace without constant supervision. You document what you do, ask clarifying questions early, and treat safety and quality as non-negotiable.

Pay (gross / brutto)

Minimum wage floor (Germany)

The legal minimum wage in Germany from 01 Jan 2026 is:

€13.90 gross per hour

  • All wage figures on this page are shown as gross (brutto).
  • Shift allowances and overtime premiums may exist on some sites (project-dependent).
  • Final pay depends on verified experience, role scope, and site requirements.
Documents

Prepare before applying

  • CV in English (PDF) + active phone / email
  • Passport scan + your current country/city
  • Certificates (food industry, machine operation — if you have them)
  • Project list: dates, tasks, line type, temperature (ambient/cold), tools

Better documentation reduces verification time and improves response rates.

Application flow

Apply (structured)

  1. Create/Upload your CV: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
  2. Send your profile via contact page: mavial.pl/kontakt.html
  3. We screen fit, verify documents, and contact you if the profile matches active demand.

No CV — no review. This protects processing time and ensures consistent screening.

Working through a Polish company on Germany projects

What candidates should expect (practical)

Many Germany projects are executed with teams coordinated by a Polish employer. The exact model depends on the client, role, and your status; however, practical expectations typically include:

  • Structured onboarding: site rules, PPE expectations, quality checkpoints, and shift planning.
  • Payroll transparency: clear gross rate basis; payslips and documented working time records.
  • Compliance documents (project-dependent): confirmations required for cross-border work arrangements.
  • Accommodation/transport: may be offered on some projects, usually with clear rules and cost structure.
  • Safety discipline: food hygiene and workplace safety are enforced strictly; violations can end assignments.
This section is general operational information. Eligibility and documentation are assessed case-by-case based on nationality, prior history, and client constraints.
Work authorization (non-EU)

Reality check: Germany requires a legal route

For most roles, language is not the only factor. Non-EU candidates generally need an appropriate residence/work pathway. Skilled profiles have more realistic options; entry-level roles are typically more difficult.

  • Skilled worker route (§18a): more realistic when your qualification can be recognized (Anerkennung) and your profile fits the role.
  • Western Balkans Regulation: only for citizens of six Western Balkan countries; availability depends on current rules.
  • Seasonal/sector-specific routes: limited, and conditions vary by sector and nationality.

If you need Polish-work-permit guidance as part of your pathway, use:

https://mavial.pl/zezwolenie.html

This is general information and not legal advice. Final eligibility depends on nationality, documents, employer requirements, and authorities.

FAQ (role-specific)

Questions candidates ask most

Below is a role-focused FAQ. It is intentionally structured to be unique per page (anti-template) while staying accurate for this role category.

Do I need German for this job?

English can be enough for onboarding and daily coordination on English-speaking teams. Basic German (A1–A2) helps with safety briefings and site routines.

What tasks are most common in food production?

Packing and labeling, sorting/portioning, keeping the workstation clean, and following hygiene entry/exit rules. Some sites include basic machine support under supervision.

What is the pay floor in Germany from 01 Jan 2026?

The statutory minimum wage floor is €13.90 gross per hour. Site rates can be higher depending on shift model and verified experience.

What documents should I send first?

An English CV (PDF), passport scan, current location, and a short project list with dates and tasks. Add any certificates if you have them.

Is shift work mandatory?

Most food production environments operate on shifts. The exact schedule depends on the site and can include early/late/night rotations.

Why is a CV required?

Production sites screen reliability and environment fit (food, hygiene, pace). A CV with dates and tasks is the fastest way to verify real experience.

Your fastest path: create a complete CV first → then submit via contact. CV builder: mavial.pl/en/cv.html
Internal navigation

Related roles

Explore similar job roles to broaden your options.

Back to Germany jobs index