Production Equipment Operator - 3rd Shift

Location: Rural Retreat, VA 
Job Type: Full Time 
Department: Operations

Job Status: Non-Exempt

About Us:
Musser Biomass is a fast-growing biomass product company dedicated to delivering innovative products that help our customers succeed. Our team is passionate about customer satisfaction, product excellence, and long-term client relationships.

Job Overview:

We are looking for a versatile, hardworking, and dependable Production Equipment Operator to join our Dryer Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in a hard day’s work, and is willing to learn multiple areas of a manufacturing operation.

The right person will be able to safely operate a front-end loader and other material-handling equipment while also learning to operate our drying equipment. You may operate equipment, monitor the production process, perform quality checks, troubleshoot issues, complete clean-up and preventative maintenance tasks, and step in wherever needed to keep production moving.

We are looking for someone who is safety-minded, mechanically inclined, willing to learn, and not afraid to get their hands dirty. Previous loader or heavy equipment experience is strongly preferred. Training will be provided on our dryer systems and production processes.

What You'll Do

• Safely operate a front-end loader and other material-handling equipment within the Dryer Department.
• Move and manage fiber materials in and around the dryer area to support production schedules and maintain continuous product flow.
• Learn to operate our industrial drying systems and become proficient in multiple areas of Dryer Operations.
• Monitor dryer performance, temperatures, moisture levels, and production output.
• Once properly trained, independently operate dryers safely and efficiently to meet production goals and maximize capacity.
• Monitor product quality to ensure proper moisture content and other established quality standards are maintained.
• Adjust dryer controls as necessary and within established operating procedures to maintain proper moisture levels and product quality.
• Perform product sampling and accurately record production and quality-control information.
• Monitor output and material-flow areas to prevent clogs, backups, and production interruptions.
• Perform regular visual inspections and basic preventative maintenance on loaders, tippers, dryers, and related equipment.
• Recognize equipment problems, unusual operating conditions, or potential failures and communicate concerns promptly to management or maintenance personnel.
• Perform routine housekeeping and clean-up throughout the dryer area, keeping equipment areas, workspaces, and travel paths free of debris and obstructions.
• Safely clean augers and other equipment as required while following established procedures.
• Follow all Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) requirements when cleaning, servicing, or working around equipment.
• Follow all company safety policies and procedures, including proper use of required PPE.
• Assist other operators, maintenance personnel, and team members as needed to keep production running safely and efficiently.
• Move between different responsibilities based on production, staffing, and operational needs.
• Take initiative, recognize work that needs to be completed, and contribute wherever needed rather than waiting to be assigned each individual task.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support safe and efficient plant operations.

What We're Looking For

This position is a good fit for someone who is:

• Hardworking, dependable, and willing to take initiative.
• Comfortable performing a variety of duties instead of being limited to one specific task.
• Experienced with or capable of safely operating a front-end loader or similar heavy equipment.
• Mechanically inclined and able to recognize when equipment is not operating normally.
• Interested in learning new equipment, processes, and skills.
• Comfortable working in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Able to follow detailed operating procedures and safety requirements.
• Able to work independently while also being a strong member of a production team.
• Flexible and willing to move between equipment operation, dryer operation, clean-up, troubleshooting, and other production responsibilities.
• Able to communicate effectively with operators, supervisors, and maintenance personnel.
• Safety-conscious and committed to following LOTO, PPE, and other established safety procedures.
• Someone who takes ownership of their work and can be counted on to help get the job done.

Qualifications

• Previous front-end loader, heavy equipment, manufacturing, production, or industrial experience is preferred.
• Previous loader operation experience is strongly preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn industrial production equipment are important for success in this role.
• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures, operating instructions, and production requirements.
• Ability to complete required equipment and safety training and demonstrate proficiency before independently operating equipment.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This position works in an active industrial manufacturing environment and requires the ability to:

• Perform physical labor throughout the workday.
• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, stoop, climb, reach, and perform repetitive movements.
• Safely climb stairs, ladders, and equipment access points as required.
• Work around moving equipment and industrial machinery.
• Work in conditions that may include wood fiber, dust, heat, noise, and changing temperatures.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Safely operate mobile equipment after completing required training and demonstrating proficiency.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

We are not simply looking for someone who can operate one piece of equipment. We are looking for a strong all-around operator who wants to develop multiple skills and become a valuable, dependable member of the Dryer Operations team.

The successful person in this position will be willing to learn, work hard, stay productive, operate equipment safely, and step into different responsibilities when needed. If you are mechanically inclined, enjoy operating equipment, like having variety in your workday, and take pride in being someone your team can count on, we encourage you to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person