Production Operator

• Sets up extruder to run a product in accordance with standard operating conditions with minimal downtime and loss of product.
• Monitors and troubleshoots during the extrusion process.
• If safety or quality issues develop, stops process and actively participates in problem-solving with shift supervisor, maintenance, safety and other operators.
• Safely drives fork truck.
• Actively participates in cleaning work area.
• Completes product turn-arounds, which includes cleaning the extruder barrel and screws, the feeder, the pelletizer, the classifier, the reclaimer system, the automatic bagger, and feed and product totes to prevent product contamination.
• Maintains proper records, which includes run logs/sheet, feed blends on line, amount of product in totes, packaging reports, work orders, log books
• Provides report to on-coming operator for successful shift hand-over.
• Reviews and understands the policies and procedures contained in standard operating procedures, hazardous communication and waste disposal procedures.
• Assumes personal responsibility for complying with all safety/health related policies and procedures, participates in company sponsored safety programs and activities, and reports to management those conditions or actions by employees or others that might create a hazard to themselves or others in the plant.

• High school education or GED
  • 5 years of manufacturing experience may be considered as meeting education requirement
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment preferred
  • Extrusion experience preferred
• Valid drivers license required
• Previous fork-lift experience preferred

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability in the operation and uses of various hand tools
• Must maintain acceptable housekeeping standards
• Good communication skills required
• Ability to work individually and within a small group. Daily activities may vary based daily production needs.
• Schedule requires working holidays and weekends.
• Physical requirements include: lifting 55-lb bags (floor to chest), working in hot & cold temperatures, climbing stairs, frequent walking, standing and reaching in front of body
• Frequent climbing on/off of fork truck

Desirable Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Previous manufacturing experience, especially working with plastics and extrusion process is preferred
• Previous work experience operating fork truck is preferred
• Basic mechanical and a sound mathematics aptitude which includes the ability to calculate percent’s, ratios, unit conversions, averages, as well as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division