What are the responsibilities and job description for the Stainless Grinder / Finishing Technician position at Koch Enterprises Family of Companies?
Shift: Monday - Thursday 6am - 4:30pm
Pay: $22-$29/hr
Job purpose
We are seeking a skilled Grinder/Polisher with proven experience in achieving a No. 4 sanitary finish on stainless steel sheet metal. This role is critical in ensuring our food-grade tanks meet stringent quality and hygiene requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong eye for detail, a commitment to craftsmanship, and a background in polishing stainless steel components for sanitary or food-processing applications.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Grind, blend, and polish stainless steel sheet metal to achieve consistent No. 4 finish on tank surfaces, fittings, and components.
- Prepare and finish weld seams to meet sanitary standards, blending them seamlessly into adjacent surfaces.
- Inspect surfaces for defects, scratches, pits, or weld marks and correct as needed.
- Operate grinders, sanders, polishers, and other finishing tools safely and efficiently.
- Work from fabrication instructions to meet specifications.
- Ensure all work meets food-grade quality standards (smooth, crevice-free, sanitary surfaces).
- Maintain tools and equipment in good working order.
- Follow safety procedures and contribute to a clean, organized shop environment.
Qualifications
Education
- High school diploma or GED preferred
Specialized Knowledge and Experience
- Minimum 2 years’ experience grinding and polishing stainless steel, preferred. Specialization in tank fabrication or food-processing equipment is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently produce No. 4 finish on stainless steel sheet metal.
- Experience blending and polishing welded seams to sanitary standards.
- Familiarity with ASME and 3-A sanitary requirements is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently.
- Physical ability to handle and polish large stainless steel components and tank sections.
- Commitment to workplace safety and quality.
Skills and Abilities
- Must be able to meet attendance, overtime, and other reliability requirements of the job
- Ability to maintain equipment, including changing out wheels.
- Ability to inspect grinding wheel for cracks, or ware.
- Utilize micrometers, calipers, and preset gauges.
- Set up automatic work-feeding device.
- Use proper wheel guards on all grinding machines.
- Grind non-metallic materials.
- Understanding of safety standards is required, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Ability to pass a Dye Check certification on the job.
Other Skills
- MUST BE DEPENDABLE – Our customers count on us to get the job done and it takes every one of us!
- Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot.
- Must be able to interact professionally, appropriately, and courteously with customers, co-workers and other outside parties.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Must show concern for quality and practice continuous improvement.
Travel
No travel is required for this position.
Physical requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; crouch and kneel; and must be able to talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.
Safety is of utmost importance. All team members must observe safety procedures and use equipment and materials properly; must wear safety glasses and steel toe boots.
Direct reports
No immediate direct management responsibilities.
Additional Information
This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or require that other or different duties/tasks be performed. I have read, understand and can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Salary : $22 - $29