Union City TN - Operations Associate I

About the Role

This is an hourly position responsible for continuous performance according to assigned job specifications. The successful candidate will be committed to safety, good housekeeping, and a willingness to learn. Operations Associate I employees can be trained and assigned to any of the following roles at the manufacturing plant and may rotate between them as business needs dictate: Injection Molding, Apex Beads, and Extruder Booker.

Responsibilities

Injection Molding

• Work with production, quality, and product development groups to deliver plastic and rubber injection parts in support of operational plans.
• Understand the components of an injection molding machine.
• Set and start up injection molds.
• Diagnose process quality issues.
• Operate a crane and other equipment, as necessary.
• Perform forklift operation and material handling functions.
• Connect and unload bulk material deliveries.
• Perform first piece inspections at startup of molds.
• Perform machine PM requirements.
• Perform minor mold maintenance and cleaning.
• Program and maintain pick and place robots.
• Load, unload, and operate punch presses.
• Package finished parts.

Apex Beads

• Set up materials and production machinery per specification requirements using correct tools and procedures.
• Log into computer to determine production and specification requirements.
• Perform wig-wag stock changes.
• Clean extruder dies and perform changeovers.
• Make apex tooling adjustments.
• Choose color-coded ring spacers according to bead diameter.
• Choose an appropriate rack for the product to be made.
• Feed specified raw rubber (wig-wag) into a mechanical stock feeder.
• Feed rubber stock from the stock feeder into the extruder hopper at specified temperature and speed.
• Direct extruded rubber using the specified extruder die onto moving conveyors, rollers, and cooling drum.
• Place bead wire in bead holder clamp using actuator pedals.
• Apply apex to bead wire directed by hand as the assembly rotates.
• Trim excess rubber from assembly using approved tools and methods.
• Join the splice to completely cover all wires evenly.
• Separate each apex-bead assembly with a colored spacer.
• Place completed apex-bead assemblies on rack.
• Report production on computer and print material tag.

Extruder Booker

• Take sheets of tread rubber off conveyor and place them on the leaves of the Tread Storage Book.
• Use correct controls on machine as it relates to job duties and responsibilities.
• Produce within specifications as noted in standard work procedure.
• Tag both ends of Tread Book with catalog number, date, and shift number.
• Transport completed Tread Books to storage area using correct equipment.
• Use keyboard to enter information about the location of stored Tread Books.
• Perform conveyor maintenance; clean area; change filters; change cutters; clean rollers.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Applicants seeking GED may enroll in the company’s GED Ready program.
• Manufacturing experience preferred but not required; in-house training will be provided.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while meeting production and quality goals.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid forklift or equipment license as needed.

Skills

• Work at an effective and productive pace while operating heavy equipment.
• Be a safety advocate for self and other team members.
• Apply common sense to carrying out instructions and procedures.
• Use problem-solving skills to deal with issues in process as they arise.

Physical Requirements

• Work safely around continuously moving mechanical parts.
• Work in a hot and noisy environment while meeting production rates and PPE requirements.
• Maintain regular attendance and punctuality for 8–12-hour shifts.
• Stand, stoop, bend, kneel, walk, lean, and work around rotating equipment for extended periods.
• Lift up to 50 lbs; push/pull 50–150 lbs on a wheeled cart; static push/pull up to 20 lbs.
• Pinch minimum 6 lbs; grasp minimum 35 lbs.
• Full range of motion required: cervical, shoulders, elbow, wrist, fingers, hands, trunk twist, and feet.
• Any lifting over 70 lbs must be completed with mechanical or individual assistance.

Working conditions include moderate noise, moving mechanical parts, static shock, burns, heights, odors, dust, protrusions, and narrow access. Good vision and hearing are required. Certain positions require forklift certification. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support plant operations.