Manufacturing Associate - Mixer (2nd Shift: 3pm to 11pm)
About the role
Grimco is a national wholesale sign supply manufacturer and distributor with over 50 locations across North America. We focus on distributing quality products and providing excellent service to the sign industry. Our offering of sign supplies includes traffic signs, blanks, substrates, boards, digital print media, wrap films, sign vinyl, application tape, banner material and supplies, sign frames, banner stands, LEDs and electrical accessories, grand format solvent/UV/latex printers, inks, software and more. The Manufacturing Associate - Mixer is responsible for preparing, blending, and supplying raw materials to extrusion lines according to job specifications. This role operates mixers, blenders, vacuums, augers, grinders, forklifts, and transfer equipment to ensure continuous material flow. Mixers reprocess scrap, close jobs, maintain clean work areas, and support safe, efficient production with a high level of accountability and ownership.
Responsibilities
- Material Preparation & Mixing
- Weigh, blend, and prepare polystyrene resin, regrind, colorants, and additives accurately.
- Operate mixers, blenders, bins, vacuum loaders, and transfer stations.
- Confirm correct materials and amounts before sending to extrusion lines.
- Keep bins filled and staged to support upcoming production runs.
- Supplying Material to Extrusion Lines
- Provide material to the line consistently and without interruption.
- Monitor line material levels and replenish proactively.
- Communicate with line operators regarding changes, delays, or low material status.
- Troubleshoot flow issues such as blocked hoses, vacuum loss, auger jams, and tipper malfunctions.
- Equipment Operation & Maintenance
- Operate and maintain all mixing equipment.
- Perform daily visual checks on equipment functionality.
- Replace broken hoses when maintenance is unavailable.
- Ensure material paths are clear and unobstructed.
- Monitor for leaks, worn parts, or unusual equipment behavior.
- Scrap Reprocessing
- Collect scrap for reprocessing.
- Feed scrap/trim into grinder/regrind systems safely and correctly.
- Ensure scrap is free of contamination before processing.
- Confirm regrind percentages align with job specifications.
- Job Closing & Documentation
- Track material used, scrap created, and leftover materials.
- Record resin, regrind, and additive consumption accurately.
- Report discrepancies in material usage to the supervisor.
- Close jobs in the system at the completion of each run.
- Cleaning & Housekeeping
- Clean up spills immediately to maintain a safe environment.
- Blow down and vacuum mixers, blenders, vacuums, and surrounding areas daily.
- Rotate weekly: one mixer cleans the silo pit area thoroughly.
- Collect and band gaylord boxes.
- Stage unused materials for storage or next run.
- Safety Responsibilities
- Operate forklifts and equipment in accordance with safety guidelines.
- Wear all required PPE at all times.
- Follow lockout/tagout procedures when clearing jams or performing equipment checks.
- Report spills, leaks, damaged equipment, or unsafe conditions immediately.
- Maintain clear aisles and safe, unobstructed workspaces.
- Communication & Collaboration
- Work closely with line operators, QC, and supervisors to maintain smooth production flow.
- Notify operators of delays, changes to material mix, or equipment concerns.
- Provide accurate updates during shift change handoffs.
- Communicate scrap issues, unusual material usage, or mixing inconsistencies.
Requirements
- Experience in manufacturing
- Ability to operate a forklift or willingness to train
- Basic math skills for measurement and mixing formulas
- Ability to read job specifications and production documents
- Preferred: Experience in plastics, extrusion, mixing, or compounding