Ceramic Kiln Process Technician

Ceramic Kiln Process Technician A day in the life

You arrive to a clean, organized production floor and begin by walking the firing line end-to-end. You scan unloading, the kiln entrance, the kiln itself, the kiln exit, and the loading machines to verify smooth tile flow. Through kiln spy windows, you check roller performance and tile quality. If you spot double-stacking, misalignment, or breakage, you pause the line, wait the required time, lock out as needed, and safely enter to clear jams. You reset machines, restart production, and keep a sharp eye on quality, safety, and throughput all shift long.

Schedule and benefits

• Consistent 3.5-day workweek — fixed days with no rotating shifts.
• Roles available on both day and night schedules.
• Eligibility at 90 days: 40 hours of vacation plus medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).
• Immediate interview consideration for experience in furnace, extrusion, boiler operations, or the metal industry.

Core responsibilities

• Continuously monitor unloading, kiln entrance, kiln, kiln exit, and loading areas for abnormal conditions (double-stacked, misaligned, or broken tiles).
• Stop the line, observe required waiting time, and safely enter equipment to correct jams or irregularities.
• Reset machines and restart lines after maintenance, housekeeping, or issue resolution.
• Perform housekeeping inside/around machines; remove broken tiles, dust, and debris to maintain a safe, orderly workspace.
• Inspect tiles through kiln spy windows to confirm proper flow and consistent quality.
• Observe rollers via spy windows; clean or replace as needed and install insulation on replaced rollers.
• Dispose of defective or broken tiles in designated waste hoppers.
• Track equipment performance and report issues promptly to maintenance or supervision.
• Follow all safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), E-stop protocol, and safe entry practices.
• Wear required PPE and remain alert to hot surfaces and moving equipment.
• Use approved hand and power tools safely to complete assigned work.
• Join facility walkthroughs to identify hazards (wet floors, hoses, cables, tile debris).
• Assist with hopper emptying and general area cleaning as assigned.
• Maintain attention to quality, production flow, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Carry out other tasks as needed to support efficiency, quality, and safety.

Qualifications

• 1 years of manufacturing experience preferred.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Comfort operating and monitoring automated machinery and production equipment.

Competencies

• Communication: Clear verbal/written communication and active listening.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Partner effectively with diverse teams to meet goals.
• Safety Awareness: Adhere to OSHA and company procedures, including LOTO, PPE, and hazard recognition.
• Problem-Solving (analysis): Identify issues, evaluate options, and implement solutions.
• Teamwork: Cooperate to maintain steady production flow and an organized, safe area.
• Problem-Solving (response): Act quickly on equipment or process issues to reduce downtime and protect quality.
• Adaptability: Thrive in a fast-paced industrial environment with shifting priorities.
• Dependability: Reliable attendance and accountable, safe task completion.

Physical demands

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The requirements listed in this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).

• Stand and walk for extended periods on concrete floors.
• Reach with hands/arms to adjust, clean, or inspect equipment.
• Use hands to handle tiles, tools, and machine components.
• Climb stairs or ladders to access equipment or platforms.
• Bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch to remove debris or clean inside machines.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 60 lbs.
• Work near high temperatures around kiln and firing processes.
• Tolerate dust, noise, and moving mechanical parts.
• Maintain strong vision (close, distance, color, peripheral) and depth perception to observe tiles and machinery.
• Communicate clearly with teammates and supervisors on the production floor.

Work environment

Manufacturing plant setting with conveyors and moving equipment. Heat is elevated near the kiln, cooler elsewhere. Expect dust, noise, vibration, and uneven or occasionally slippery surfaces due to fragments, dust, or water. Required PPE includes safety shoes, gloves, cut‑resistant sleeves, and eye protection at all times. Frequent coordination with production, maintenance, and supervision is essential to uphold safety, housekeeping, and operational standards.

Tools & technologies you may use

• Injection Molding Machine
• Sit-Down Forklift
• Extrusion Machine
• Thermoforming Machine
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

Proficiency expected: Experience in a manufacturing environment.

About Del Conca USA

Del Conca USA manufactures residential and commercial porcelain tiles and outdoor pavers in a state-of-the-art U.S. facility. As part of the Del Conca Group—comprising Ceramica Faetano, Ceramica del Conca, Pastorelli, Del Conca USA Inc., Produco, and the Cino Mularoni Foundation—we are internationally recognized for product quality, service excellence, design, and innovation. Collections are conceived and developed in Italy by in-house designers, labs, and quality technicians, then produced at our high-tech Loudon, TN plant.