Associate Operator, Production

About the role

The Production Operator plays a key role in producing quality products safely every day. This position involves operating extrusion machines and other production equipment with minimal supervision in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Read and comply with the Company's Environmental and Quality Policies; report deviations to management.
• Assume personal responsibility for safety performance and demonstrate concern for co-workers' safety.
• Maintain acceptable housekeeping and 5S standards.
• Comply with all safety and health policies, participate in safety programs, and report hazardous conditions.
• Set up extruders to run products according to standard operating conditions with minimal downtime and product loss, including feed and product totes.
• Learn to use tote tumbling and screw/element oven equipment.
• Maintain proper records, including run logs, feed blends, product quantities, packaging reports, work orders, and log books; communicate important issues to the next operator.
• Complete product turn-around, including cleaning the extruder barrel, screws, feeder, chopper, classifier, reclaimer system, bagging system, and product totes to prevent contamination.
• Operate and use various hand tools.
• Review and understand standard operating procedures, hazardous communication, and waste disposal procedures.
• Troubleshoot processing problems such as surging, black specks, improper pellet size, pellets with tails, and contaminated product.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment failures, including thermocouples, vacuum leaks, and vacuum conveying problems.

Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED, or 5 years of manufacturing experience in lieu of diploma or GED.
• No prior experience required.
• Valid driver's license is required.