Operator Trainee - Conway, NC

About the Role

At Bakelite, you’ll help us create a better tomorrow with sustainable and innovative chemistry today. As an Operator Trainee, you will ensure high-quality standards that help our organization consistently meet production goals and enhance overall operational efficiency. You’ll be a key member of a dynamic team built on open communication, trust, and transparency, collaborating to carry out various manufacturing tasks such as operating machinery, monitoring production processes, and ensuring quality control.

You’ll build a meaningful career supported by ongoing learning and development through our well-established training and certification program. You’ll also play a critical role in safety and reliability by adhering to all plant health, safety, and environmental guidelines and troubleshooting equipment issues.

Responsibilities

• Loading and unloading raw materials and finished goods in accordance with customer and chemical specifications.
• Training and skill development to advance in production, learning to operate and monitor chemical reaction processes to manufacture polymer resins, industrial chemicals, and raw materials.
• Monitoring equipment and performing minor troubleshooting to ensure optimal production and minimal downtime.
• Using a computer to document data such as shipping and receiving information and manufacturing processes.
• Working in outside weather conditions as well as in an industrial environment, at heights, and in confined spaces.
• Adhering to all plant health, safety, and environmental guidelines, policies, and procedures by wearing necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, chemical suits, respirators, ear plugs, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, or safety shoes.
• Meeting and exceeding production goals while maintaining a focus on safety, meeting the physical and safety requirements of the job, and working a rotating shift schedule in a 24/7 operation, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Experience operating a forklift.
• At least two (2) years of continuous employment in the last four (4) years preferred.
• One (1) year or more of experience in an industrial, warehouse, military, farming, construction, mechanical, or production environment.
• One (1) year or more of experience using a computer or tablet to record information and for data entry of record-keeping documentation, shipping and receiving information, or manufacturing processes documentation.
• One (1) year or more of experience in the chemical or refinery industries preferred.
• Willingness to take a drug test and submit to a background investigation as part of the selection process, as well as additional periodic background checks as required by regulations.
• Unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation, robust benefits, and support our associates every step of their career. At Bakelite, you don’t just climb the career ladder—you pave your personal path through continued learning and development. Safety is a core value, and we care about our associates from the top down, placing a high value on our culture and the associate experience.

Location

This role is located in Conway, NC, a small town within 100 miles of Richmond, Norfolk-Virginia Beach, and the Raleigh-Durham area. The Conway team has strong ties to the local community, and nearby attractions include the Roanoke River, the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail, and easy access to the Norfolk International Airport.