millwright

forklift operator

opérateur

production operator

machine operator

Management is so unbearably incompetent. Manager fires employees for arbitrary reasons such as disagreeing or arguing with him on simple things and then *laughs* when people say they worry about job security. "Oh yah, we're just rushing to fire people here at Ice River," the palpable sarcasm of which is highlighted by the insanity that is their unbelievably high turnover rate - literally, I didn't believe the turnover was actually so high until shortly after I started when the manager confirmed it himself.

The interview is fine and everyone's polite and great until you start the job. Manager acts like he's "one of the operators" (despite not knowing how to run a single machine), interviewers (plant support coordinator and production supervisor) have nothing but nice things to say about him, "oh, he's not stuck-up or anything, he's a friendly guy, doesn't feel like a 'boss' at all!" They're lenient on start dates and very understanding of different situations with your current job/situation - very much a "we're all friends here" feeling. 

Until you're hired - and you will be because no one stays so they are literally *always* urgently hiring. 

They cancel shifts *constantly*. I mean, you are lucky to work two days a week. Their shift schedule is constantly changing - 12 hour shifts, pretty decent, regular shift cancellations but the bills are paid. Cut to 6-8 hour shifts still regular shift cancellations, the heat in summer is unbearable but you need to pay your bills and you'll go back to 12 hours eventually - the manager promised. Cut back to 12 hour shifts but weekly switches between day/night shift not like the 2 days on 2 days off schedule before but it's not a big deal. You won't have to worry about burnout because you're only working 2-3 days per week with the cancellations! Everything's fine, right? 

Wrong. Now you make less than you would at a minimum wage job, your bills are not being paid and you can't get another job around this one because they require constant availability which fairly is clearly outlined in their handbook. Am I the only one who reads those?

You work three days this week and have had this schedule posted for two  weeks. Except oh, we don't need to run this day or one of the machines broke down so this shift will be cancelled. But since this shift is cancelled you can come in that extra Friday or Saturday, right? I mean, you *did* miss one other shift. What's that? You already had plans or an appointment you scheduled around your work hours and we're giving you two days' notice? That's too bad. If you don't come in you'll be using a sick day. You only get two of those, you should really save them. 

The machines never work. The days you do go in you're likely to be sent home anyway because of a major machine breakdown. God help you if you *are* maintenance. 

The operators are great. Maintenance is wonderful. The people you work with directly are so lovely it'll make you want to stay despite how poorly you're treated by management. Managers treat you as though you are expendable and less than. They have their favourites, you can tell who they are right away because they are openly treated better than others. 

This job was so bad in the extended duration of my employment that on multiple occasions I honestly considered quitting and just living in my car until I could find another job. The only real reason I didn't is because if I did quit then I wouldn't be able to afford my car payments or insurance. 

I guess just try to cozy up to the plant support coordinator and the plant manager. The plant manager is into motorcycles and kickboxing. I hope this helps you if you have made it this far and are still desperate/crazy enough to work there, if only for a little while. 

NOTE: The bonuses are a lie! The machines never work well enough for you to hit the 90-100% threshold to be eligible for bonus which is calculated based on the overall shift performance of everyone on your shift. Even if they do and you're in the 90% zone something always goes wrong and you end up *just* missing it. Too bad, should've tried harder. What's that? You're so exhausted from running around busting your butt doing a phenomenal job working all day that you can barely stand? Maybe you just aren't cut out for this type of work. Maybe try a secretarial job. 

FUN FACT: Manager openly stated in a meeting that he wanted to "knock down" a structural wall. A STRUCTURAL wall.

A typical day at work for me starts with checking my forklift and making sure it’s safe to use. I move pallets of bottles, raw materials, and finished products around the bottling line. I help keep the line supplied and make sure everything runs smoothly. I always follow safety rules and keep my area clean and organized.
I believe I’ve learned a lot about the importance of safety in the workplace. Over the years, I’ve realized that following safety procedures not only protects me but also helps the whole team work more efficiently. I learned to always check equipment properly, use the right tools, and keep the work area clean to prevent accidents.
Management in our workplace is supportive and organized. They give clear instructions, monitor our work, and make sure safety and quality standards are followed. They also communicate well with employees to keep production running smoothly.
The workplace culture is fast-paced but teamwork is strong. Everyone helps each other to keep production running smoothly and safely. We respect one another and always follow safety rules and company policies.
The hardest part of my job is keeping up with the fast pace of the bottling line during peak production times. It requires careful attention, quick thinking, and coordination with other team members to make sure everything runs smoothly and safely.
The most enjoyable part of my job is keeping the production line running smoothly and seeing everything work efficiently. I also enjoy working as part of a team and helping my coworkers when needed.

This company is not as bad as some of the other posts in here that I have read, yes they do need to upgrade some of the equipment to make it a safer work environment & from what I've seen it is happening but slowly.
I have read that this company wont pay over time, that's not right,, here is how it works, the Production staff work a continental shift, 12 hours 2 days in a row, 2 days off, 12 hours 3 days in a row,,, and so on, production staff need 88 hours in 2 weeks to get overtime paid.
Shipping gets paid over time after 44 hours in one week because they work daily 9-12 hours a day 5-6 days a week & some times 7 days a week.
Although during a promo week / weeks Shipping needs to arrive to work early and start the day as soon as they arrive, if you don't document this EXTREAMLY carefully you wont get paid for the extra time you put in.
If you are in the shipping area, there is little or no time fro breaks, you chew as you go.

Oh & I almost forgot, bring warm clothing because they don't turn the heat on in the winter and its frigging colder inside then outside.

There are some good points though, the crew you work with are good people to know, and positive & encouraging.
The work is not to difficult, its mostly automated.


The wage is odd here as well, typically anywhere else, you start a job & get a raise after 3 months, 6 months & then 12 months, @ Ice River you get a raise after 3 months & then not again till after 12 months but only after you have been able to prove you are worth it by being able to do 2 or 3 jobs at once.

It is not the worst place I have ever worked, I enjoy my job & I'm good at it.

I'm sure things will continue to improve here over time, so as you read all those crazy negative posts be sure to take into consideration that those people had a bad experience here and are just venting their rage.
You need to decide for yourself.

Working at one of the greenest and most environmentally responsible companies in Canada has been a truly rewarding experience. As a researcher, I’m part of a passionate and purpose-driven team committed to sustainability, innovation, and making a real difference.

A typical day involves conducting research, analyzing data, and collaborating with different teams to support projects that align with the company’s environmental goals. There’s a strong sense of purpose in the work, and I appreciate the balance between independence and teamwork.

One of the things I value most is how much I’ve learned since joining—both in terms of technical skills and my understanding of real-world sustainability practices. The company encourages continuous learning and supports employees in growing professionally.

Management is approachable, transparent, and genuinely supportive. They listen to employee feedback and foster a culture of trust and respect. The overall workplace culture is inclusive, forward-thinking, and collaborative, with everyone working toward a shared mission.

The biggest challenges are the remote location and unpredictable weather in the winter, which can sometimes make commuting or access a bit difficult. However, these factors are part of the trade-off when working so close to nature and in regions where environmental impact is most visible.

The most enjoyable part of the job is knowing that the work I do contributes to meaningful environmental progress. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a company that not only talks about sustainability but truly lives it in every aspect.

Overall, this is a great place to work if you care about the planet and want to be part of a team making a positive impact.

Excellent Company with Strong Values and Growth Opportunities

Working as an IT Specialist at Ice River Springs has been an incredibly rewarding experience. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by both my immediate team and leadership. The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation isn't just a slogan—it's something you see reflected in everyday operations and decision-making.

In my role, I've had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects that challenged my technical skills and allowed me to grow professionally. The IT team is collaborative, forward-thinking, and always looking for ways to improve infrastructure and efficiency across the organization. Leadership encourages innovation and is open to new ideas, which creates a very empowering environment.

One of the best parts of working here is the culture—it's a great balance of professionalism and approachability. People genuinely care about each other and about the work they’re doing. The company also offers great benefits, a strong focus on work-life balance, and real opportunities for advancement.

If you’re looking for a place where your work makes an impact, your voice is heard, and your skills are appreciated, Ice River Springs is a fantastic choice.

Be very weary about working for Ice River. During the interview process it will seem that all is well and everything is sunshine and rainbows coming from the plant manager. But once working there you will quickly realize there is a putrid and toxic work environment created by the unrealistic and overbearing management who prefer to fire first and ask questions later. Because of that behaviour, the employees work in fear of their underpaid jobs. You will see many people come and go. It suffers from the proverbial rotating door syndrome. It is really sad to see as the production employees are all nice people.  My advice to anyone applying to work there; Do your research first. Read the reviews online and pay attention to all of them. Weigh your options and determine what your plan B is going to be if you are to lose your new job after a couple of months. Make sure you are doing what is in yours, and your family's best interests and don't gamble it on empty promises and a fake smile. 

Started and ended yesterday. Worst place to work at. The employees are great though. Management is not. Went for an interview and was told I would experience both shifts days/afternoons and then I would be allowed to choose afterwards of what shift I wanted to be on. So got hired and asked to confirm about picking a shift and was told no that’s not how it works as I would be on rotating shifts of days and afternoons. Unorganized, lack of training, 9 hr shifts, early start times, employees even warned me after I started and said that I should of checked on here for the reviews before I said yes. 
I’m not an angry employee I just saw way too many red flags and don’t like being told one thing and a few days later told something else. Just like all the other reviews say.....Run away unless you really need a job. 

On a side note, the co-workers that I did meet are a great bunch of people and wish them the best.

The Amaranth bottled water plant is a fast paced workplace with high production.  This is well and good but locals know it by reputation and so Ice river springs can't get workers.  Let this be your fist hint of poor leadership and an unstable workplace.  The pay is fair and you'll work for it, yet expect sudden changes like shift changes, cut short work day(s) due to poor planning and/or machine breakdown that happen too often.  The plant was put together too fast and without solid planning resulting in uncomfortable work conditions and prone to problems without backup plans. Training is a joke and direction is up an icy river without a paddle.  These conditions will affect your planning personal schedules and income plans.  Most of these problems can be attributed to the arrogance of poor direction and no communication from upper management.  There is an over lying unhappy blanket with workers as they know this is as good as it get here.

The location i worked at went down hill very quickly. The job itself is fairly easy and managable, although the management is horrible..theres no real direction in the production and orders change within the hour so theres not always a set plan for the production schedule. Also, for being a beverage plant, it definitely is not kept appropriately sanitary..for example, septic has backed up onto the floor surrounding the production lines twice in the three years that i worked there, and we were still expected to run the lines. Sanitation crew does there job weekly, but the maintenance is also not good, takes upwards of an hour to get them to respond to their call from the line, and even so, a solution is not always found.. the best thing about ice river is that the majority of the people there are very friendly, so that definitely helps a 12 hour shift go by quicker.

Working at this company has been a truly rewarding experience. A typical day involves collaborating with a supportive team, tackling engaging tasks, and continuously learning new skills. The management is approachable and encourages open communication, making it easy to share ideas and get feedback.
The workplace culture fosters respect, inclusivity, and motivation, which creates a positive environment where everyone feels valued. Through my time here, I’ve gained valuable experience in problem-solving, teamwork, and industry-specific knowledge.
The hardest part of the job is balancing multiple deadlines, but the supportive atmosphere makes it manageable. The most enjoyable part is the camaraderie among colleagues and the satisfaction of contributing to meaningful work that drives the company forward.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Millwright 4 salaries reported	$40.50 per hour
Forklift operator 61 salaries reported	$24.09 per hour
Opérateur 51 salaries reported	$25.62 per hour
Production operator 47 salaries reported	$22.40 per hour
Machine operator 69 salaries reported	$24.20 per hour

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