Position Description
The Plant Operator is responsible for safely operating production equipment and manufacturing processes to produce high-quality products while meeting production schedules, safety standards, and operational goals. This role is accountable for monitoring equipment performance, performing routine inspections, accurately documenting production activities, and maintaining efficient plant operations through consistent attention to safety, quality, housekeeping, communication, and continuous improvement.
The Plant Operator is expected to follow established operating procedures, use required PPE, identify and report equipment or process concerns, and communicate issues promptly before they become safety, quality, or production problems. This position also assists with basic equipment maintenance, housekeeping, inventory movement, and process improvements that support efficient manufacturing operations.
The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-focused, mechanically inclined, and committed to producing quality work while collaborating effectively with team members. Success in this position requires attention to detail, strong work ethic, problem-solving ability, and a willingness to continuously learn and improve.
The schedule for this position may include day or night shifts, with overtime and weekends required as production demands dictate. Work is performed primarily at APT's manufacturing facility located outside the city of Aitkin.
This position starts at $22/hour, paid bi-weekly in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices. Compensation may be adjusted upward based on applicable experience, qualifications, certifications, and demonstrated skills. Shift differential is available for night shift assignments. This position is classified as non-exempt.
APT offers PTO, a medical, dental, and vision plan, matching 401K and charitable giving plans, and paid volunteer opportunities.
This position reports to the Plant Operator Lead.
Key Accountabilities
The Plant Operator is accountable for safely and consistently performing assigned production work in accordance with company procedures, quality standards, production schedules, and supervisor direction. This includes being prepared for each shift, following standard operating procedures, accurately documenting work performed, communicating equipment or quality concerns immediately, and maintaining a clean and safe work area.
The Plant Operator is expected to take ownership of assigned equipment and work areas during each shift. This includes monitoring performance, recognizing abnormal conditions, escalating concerns promptly, and not allowing unsafe, nonconforming, or questionable product or operating conditions to continue without notifying the Plant Operator Lead or supervisor.
Success in this role requires consistent attendance, safe work habits, attention to detail, willingness to learn, respect for coworkers and leadership, and a commitment to meeting APT’s expectations for safety, quality, production, and teamwork.
Level 1 Expectations
A Level 1 Plant Operator is expected to safely perform assigned production tasks, follow established procedures, maintain good attendance, complete required documentation, communicate issues promptly, and demonstrate a willingness to learn. This level is focused on building equipment knowledge, safe operating habits, quality awareness, teamwork, and consistency.
A Level 1 Plant Operator is not expected to independently diagnose complex mechanical issues or make major process changes without direction. However, the operator is expected to recognize abnormal conditions, stop or escalate concerns when appropriate, and support the Plant Operator Lead, Maintenance, and supervisors in resolving issues.
Job Duties
Production Operations
- Follow standard operating procedures and work instructions consistently; do not bypass procedures, safety controls, quality checks, or supervisor instructions.
- Be prepared and ready to work at the scheduled start of each shift, including proper PPE, required tools, and awareness of shift priorities.
- Meet daily production schedules while maintaining quality, safety, and efficiency standards.
- Monitor equipment performance and production parameters to ensure consistent product quality.
- Load, unload, move, and stage raw materials and finished products as needed.
- Maintain accurate production records, equipment logs, and shift documentation.
- Take ownership of assigned equipment, production areas, and shift responsibilities to ensure work is completed safely, accurately, and on time.
- Immediately report production delays, equipment concerns, material shortages, quality issues, or safety concerns that could impact the schedule or product quality.
Equipment Monitoring and Maintenance
- Perform routine inspections of equipment and production systems.
- Identify equipment malfunctions or process abnormalities and promptly report them to the Plant Operator Lead.
- Perform basic preventative maintenance and routine equipment adjustments as assigned.
- Assist Maintenance personnel during equipment repairs and scheduled maintenance activities.
- Keep equipment, tools, and workstations clean and in proper working condition.
- Do not operate equipment that appears unsafe, damaged, or outside normal operating condition without notifying the Plant Operator Lead or supervisor.
Safety and Compliance
- Follow all OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and established operating procedures.
- Wear and properly utilize required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
- Identify and report unsafe conditions, near misses, equipment hazards, and safety concerns.
- Maintain a clean, organized work area to support safe and efficient plant operations.
- Participate in required safety meetings, training, and continuous safety improvement initiatives.
- Follow lockout/tagout, machine guarding, forklift, confined space, housekeeping, and other safety requirements applicable to assigned work.
Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement
- Inspect raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products to ensure quality standards are met.
- Take ownership of product quality within assigned work areas by identifying and reporting issues early.
- Do not knowingly allow nonconforming, questionable, contaminated, damaged, or improperly labeled product to move forward without notifying the Plant Operator Lead or supervisor.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
- Assist in reducing waste, downtime, and production inefficiencies through proper operating practices.
- Follow quality checks, sampling procedures, labeling requirements, and documentation expectations as assigned.
Communications and Teamwork
- Communicate production status, equipment concerns, and operational issues to the Plant Operator Lead in a timely manner.
- Provide accurate and complete shift handoff information, including production status, equipment issues, material concerns, quality issues, safety observations, and unfinished work.
- Communicate respectfully and professionally with coworkers, leads, supervisors, maintenance, shipping, quality, and other departments.
- Follow work instructions, production priorities, and shift expectations established by leadership.
- Maintain a positive, dependable, and team-oriented attitude while contributing to overall plant success.
- Raise concerns through the appropriate chain of command and participate constructively in problem-solving.
Core Competencies
· Safety Focus: Demonstrates personal accountability for workplace safety by following procedures, using PPE, identifying hazards, stopping work when appropriate, and reporting unsafe conditions immediately.
· Operational Excellence: Operates equipment efficiently while maintaining production quality and meeting daily production goals.
· Attention to Detail: Carefully monitors equipment, production processes, and finished products to ensure quality standards are met.
· Reliability & Accountability: Consistently reports to work on time, is prepared for the shift, follows through on responsibilities, completes assigned work, communicates issues early, and takes ownership of assigned tasks, equipment, and work areas.
· Problem-Solving: Recognizes production issues, communicates concerns promptly, and assists in resolving operational challenges.
· Communication: Communicates timely, accurately, and respectfully with Plant Operator Leads, supervisors, maintenance personnel, shipping, quality, and fellow team members regarding production status, safety concerns, equipment issues, and quality matters.
· Teamwork: Works collaboratively with others to achieve production, quality, and safety objectives.
· Adaptability: Responds positively to changing production priorities and learns new equipment and processes.
· Continuous Improvement: Actively participates in improving safety, quality, productivity, housekeeping, equipment reliability, and waste reduction.
Position Requirements
· High school diploma or GED preferred.
· Previous manufacturing or production experience preferred but not required.
· Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to safely operate production equipment.
· Ability and willingness to follow standard operating procedures, safety rules, quality expectations, and leadership direction consistently.
· Ability to recognize abnormal equipment, product, or process conditions and communicate concerns promptly.
· Knowledge of workplace safety practices and willingness to comply with OSHA regulations and company policies.
· Ability to accurately record production information and complete required documentation.
· Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality work.
· Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
· Willingness to work flexible schedules, including overtime, weekends, or night shifts as needed.
· Willingness to be held accountable for safety, quality, production, housekeeping, documentation, and teamwork expectations.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
· This position operates primarily in a manufacturing and production environment.
· Prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and climbing throughout the facility.
· Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, and pull materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
· Ability to safely operate manufacturing equipment, hand tools, and, where trained and authorized, forklifts and heavy equipment.
· Regular exposure to moving mechanical equipment, dust, vibration, varying temperatures, and moderate to high noise levels.
· Must be able to visually inspect products, equipment, gauges, warning lights, and safety indicators.
Pay: From $22.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- On-the-job training
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
