KLZ Press Operator/ Finisher (10pm-6am)

Step into a hands-on manufacturing role where precision, quality, and teamwork drive success. Operate electric and hydraulic presses to mold high-quality rubber and composite products while monitoring process conditions, inspecting quality, and supporting continuous improvement. Work closely with supervision, engineering, and technical teams to ensure products meet exact specifications—safety, accuracy, and attention to detail are critical.

Schedule

3rd Shift: 10PM-6AM (Sunday-Thursday)

Pay

$23.98 per hour + 1.75 shift differential

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage for employee plus eligible dependents
• Employer matching up to 6% for 401K
• Employee Assistance Programs
• On-site Fitness Center
• Life and AD & D insurance, dependent life insurance, long term disability, and HSA, FSA
• Tuition Assistance eligibility

Responsibilities

• Operates a series of electric/hydraulic presses in various molding operations consisting of long or short production runs of products made of various rubber compounds or a combination of rubber, spring, fabric and/or metal blanks.
• Completes opening of press/mold by various manual means and closes partially by manual means and pushing control buttons.
• Performs duties that include:
  • Raises and lowers presses.
  • Applies mold release to cavities as per work instructions.
  • Inserts blanks in mold cavities by hand.
  • Inserts mold in/out press.
  • Cures stock for prescribed length of time.
  • Removes finished molded pieces from mold cavities, rough pick and deposits in provided containers as per work instruction.
  • Uses care in loading molds to ensure that metal or rubber blanks are properly positioned.
• Quality inspection responsibilities will become paramount throughout molding cycle.
• Determines and implements corrective actions when defects occur with product and notifies Supervision and/or Engineering when unable to correct defect.
• Audits pre-molded blanks for defects and proper weights during initial start-up.
• Informs Supervisor and/or Engineering of defective conditions concerning pre-molded blanks and assists/suggests ways to correct defects.
• Inspects finished molded pieces, involving visual inspection or the use of gauges as required.
• Provides input and data as required for metrics.
• Verifies mold release correctness, receipt, pressures, cure times, and temperatures on product masters when presses are in operation.
• Monitors pressure changes, proper functioning of mechanical lubricating systems, temperature readings, bumps, and pre-heat cycle to provide input and correct product masters if improprieties exist.
• Works with Supervision and Tech Aides to assure product master correctness, including trial runs, data gathering, and verbal communication as to progress status.
• Performs various finishing operations (manual or machine) on molded rubber items and other miscellaneous items to prepare them for shipment.
• Works closely with Engineering personnel in the development and establishment of standard operating data relative to new and/or experimental products.
• Moves all finished work to proper center and records production, signing off each completed router step.
• Maintains equipment, cleans and lubricates machines, empties dust collectors and refuse containers.
• Performs miscellaneous functions such as rough picking and stacking of parts, and may assist in finishing operations as directed.
• Performs lock out tag out process and cleans presses.
• Weighs extrusion blanks, measures critical dimensions like O.D. to ensure proper quality, and records/chart measurements.
• Maintains stock tote pans or containers in neat and orderly fashion.
• Collects data and provides input to supervision and/or Engineering regarding proper data codes, stock availability, and mold conditions.
• Troubleshoots process as corrective action when defects occur with product and assists/suggests ways to correct defects.
• Adheres to all plant safety guidelines.
• Keeps work area in 5S condition.
• Performs other jobs as assigned by Supervisor.

Requirements

• High school degree completed or equivalent (GED) required.
• Previous manufacturing experience preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Posture: Standing, leaning, reaching.
• Maximum weight to be lifted: up to 35 lbs; anything over 35 lbs must be lifted by two people or appropriate lifting equipment.
• Frequency per shift: 25%
• Repetitive motion tasks: Arm/shoulder movement when loading & unloading molds, lifting & lowering mold covers, pushing and pulling molds.
• Duration of shift: 80%
• Other: Potential burns, knife cuts, finger pinching.
• Working conditions: Heat, fumes, noise.