Lead Blow Mold Operator - 1st Shift

About KIK

KIK creates products and brands that people trust to clean, sanitize, and protect their homes and pools. As one of North America’s largest independent consumer‑product manufacturers, KIK operates 16 North American facilities and additional sites in Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. The company’s portfolio includes notable brands such as Spic and Span®, Comet®, Clorox® Pool&Spa™ (under license), BioGuard®, and Natural Chemistry® pool chemicals, as well as being the #1 producer of store‑brand bleach in North America.

About the role

Lead Blow Mold Operator on 1st Shift (6:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Thursday with weekends as business needs require). The role leads safe, efficient blow‑molding operations, serves as a technical resource, and provides first‑point support for the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day blow‑molding activities for assigned lines or shift, coordinate work assignments and staffing coverage, and act as the first point of support for operators.
• Operate blow‑molding equipment from cold start through full production; perform machine setups, mold and bottle‑size changeovers, shutdowns, and adjustments to machine and process parameters.
• Troubleshoot blow molders and auxiliary equipment, identify mechanical or process issues, complete minor adjustments and basic preventive maintenance, and escalate complex repairs to Maintenance as needed.
• Monitor production performance, downtime, scrap, and throughput; take timely corrective action and communicate issues, priorities, and shift handoffs to the appropriate teams.
• Perform and verify routine quality checks (bottle weight, appearance, dimensions, color, etc.) and adjust machine profiles and process settings to maintain quality standards.
• Operate and support auxiliary equipment such as trimmers, leak testers, bag/debag tables, cooling beds, grinders, and related material‑handling systems.
• Train, coach, and support operators on equipment operation, troubleshooting, safety requirements, quality standards, standard work, and changeover procedures.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), OSHA requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), PPE, hazardous‑materials procedures, and company safety policies.
• Maintain accurate production, downtime, quality, scrap, and compliance documentation and ensure required records are completed for the shift.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and other teams to resolve recurring issues, improve equipment reliability, reduce waste, and support continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard‑free work area and ensure proper handling of waste oil, wastewater, regrind, and other materials in accordance with plant procedures.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 3+ years of hands‑on blow‑molding experience in a manufacturing environment; prior lead, senior operator, trainer, or informal leadership experience preferred.
• Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods, lift/carry up to 50 lb, and perform frequent bending, twisting, reaching, and climbing.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, holidays, or alternate shifts as business needs require.

Skills

• Hands‑on experience with machine start‑ups, shutdowns, mold changes, bottle‑size changeovers, process adjustments, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Uniloy blow‑molding equipment and programmable parison controls strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of HDPE processing, material compounding and mixing, regrind, grinders, and related auxiliary equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude to diagnose equipment and process issues and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide day‑to‑day direction to team members while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, production specifications, safety procedures, and equipment documentation; complete required production records.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and/or manufacturing production systems.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly salary.
• Comprehensive health, wellness, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings options with employer match.
• Education assistance for continued personal development and growth.

Pay

Hourly rate $29.87 (actual rate may vary based on relevant skills and experience).

Schedule

1st Shift: 6:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Thursday; weekends as business needs require. Flexibility to work overtime, holidays, or alternate shifts.