Extrusion Operator (D Shift)

About the role

Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a Westlake division (NYSE:WLK), is one of the largest polyvinyl chloride pipe and fittings manufacturers in North America. The production operator is assigned to a specific cell or work area on a production shift and is responsible for the efficient operation of the production equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform the primary thinking encompassed by this job description.
• Comply with all Company policies and procedures.
• Maintain operation of multiple lines, including loading gaskets and packaging end product for shipment.
• Visually inspect product for quality assurance purposes.
• Measure and record pipe dimensions as required.
• Take the proper action according to SPC Charting.
• Control dimensions to maintain pipe specifications with direct supervision.
• Move bundled pipe from work area (scrap and good product).
• Assist in production line start-up activities and changeovers.
• Follow all operational and safety procedures.
• Cut and band scrap as directed.
• Maintain a clean, safe and orderly work area per established housekeeping standards.
• Understand Belling Operations.
• Report any equipment malfunctions, product defects or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Read and understand SOPs contained in Operator Manual.
• Relieve and assist other operators as needed.
• Work as a team with other personnel.
• Follow all safety rules per orientation.
• Possess the skill and ability to purge a line down with supervision.
• Proper stacking of pipe in lifts.
• Perform visual inspection for quality of pipe; seek higher authority when in doubt.
• Remove gaskets from scrap pipe. Pipe with gaskets will NOT be placed in the scrap cart.
• Know and display how to get all quality readings from the pipe.
• Accurately fill out and use the Control Charts to maintain weights at or below goal.
• Assist supervisor and manufacturing personnel during changeovers, including changing tank rubbers, cleaning sprayers, putting in pull pipe, cleaning around beller, spray tanks, vacuum tanks, and the extruder, checking print strip, and performing assigned tasks during start-up.
• Record vacuum on vent system and notify supervisor or lead operator on any low vacuum.
• Completely and accurately fill out operator sheets.
• Cut any quality samples assigned by QC.
• Communicate all issues to both lead operator and the supervisor.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area.
• Keep gaskets loaded in beller when running gasketed product.
• Other duties as required.

Requirements

• No prior experience or training required.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions in English.
• Communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to work well with operators, shift leaders, and office personnel.
• Ability to read a tape measure, add and subtract two-digit numbers, and multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.
• Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to touch, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to sit.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 40-50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, hot and cold temperatures, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.