The Operator Technician supports safe and efficient plastics extrusion production by operating assigned production and downstream equipment, preparing packaging materials, packaging finished product, monitoring product quality and equipment performance, maintaining an orderly work area, and assisting authorized setup personnel with machine setups, startups, shutdowns, product changes, die/tooling changes, and line adjustments as directed. The Operator Technician is expected to recognize abnormal operating conditions, product defects, equipment concerns, and safety hazards; take action within the limits of training and authorization; and promptly notify the appropriate Setup Technician, Line Lead, Supervisor, Maintenance, or Quality personnel when additional assistance is required.
- Operate assigned extrusion and downstream production equipment in accordance with established procedures, work instructions, production orders, die cards, and supervisor direction.
- Assist Setup Technicians, Line Leads, or other authorized employees with machine setup, startup, shutdown, product changes, die changes, tooling changes, and line adjustments as directed. This position does not independently perform setup or teardown unless specifically trained and authorized.
- Prepare raw materials, packaging materials, labels, tools, and work areas needed to support production and product changes.
- Observe equipment operation continuously so malfunctions, abnormal conditions, unsafe conditions, or process problems can be identified and reported promptly.
- Monitor extrusion equipment and downstream equipment, including pullers/haul-offs, conveyors, cooling equipment, cutters, and other line components, for proper operation.
- Perform routine operating adjustments only when trained, authorized, and permitted by established work instructions.
- Lift, move, stage, load, and unload raw materials, finished products, packaging materials, and production supplies manually or with approved material-handling equipment.
- Count, package, mark, tag, and identify finished products to ensure product orders are complete and properly labeled.
- Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, carts, racks, and other approved conveyances.
- Clean and organize assigned equipment and production areas, and assist with cleaning dies, tooling, and related equipment only after the equipment has been placed in a safe condition and when directed by authorized personnel.
- Maintain good housekeeping by promptly addressing or reporting pellets, scrap, packaging debris, water, oil, hoses, cords, tools, or other slip, trip, or production hazards.
- Stop work and notify supervision when an unsafe condition, significant quality concern, or equipment problem cannot be safely corrected within the Operator Technician's assigned responsibilities.
- Follow all company safety rules, quality procedures, work instructions, PPE requirements, and supervisor directions.
- Perform other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned.
- Examine products at required intervals to verify conformance to quality standards, specifications, and tolerances.
- Perform visual and dimensional inspections using appropriate measuring devices, gauges, templates, tape measures, scales, or other approved tools as trained.
- Record required production and quality information, including measurements, width, length, color, shape, feel or rigidity/flexibility, dates, times, production counts, scrap, downtime, or other required information.
- Recognize product defects or process conditions such as dimensional variation, discoloration, surface defects, inconsistent material flow, poor cooling, twisting, bowing, or improper cutting and report them promptly.
- Identify and segregate nonconforming product as required and communicate quality concerns to the appropriate personnel.
- Monitor production efficiency and scrap and take reasonable corrective action within training and authority to reduce preventable waste.
- Communicate accurate information during shift changes and to Supervisors, Setup, Quality, Maintenance, and other employees as needed.
- Remain alert and attentive while working around operating extrusion equipment and moving machinery.
- Inspect or observe machine guards, emergency stops, interlocks, pull cords, and other safety devices as required and immediately report damaged, missing, or improperly functioning safety equipment.
- Never bypass, defeat, remove, or work around a guard or safety device except as specifically authorized under an approved procedure.
- Never reach into, over, around, or through guards or attempt to clear jams while hazardous machine motion or energy is present.
- Follow lockout/tagout and hazardous-energy-control requirements whenever a task requires energy isolation. Employees must not perform lockout/tagout work beyond their training and authorization.
- Use required personal protective equipment for the task and work area, which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, safety footwear, heat-resistant gloves, cut-resistant gloves, or other task-specific PPE. Gloves must not be used where they create an entanglement hazard around rotating or moving equipment.
- Immediately report injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, spills, and safety concerns to supervision.
- Use ladders and approved access equipment safely and follow established ladder-safety requirements.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as required to perform assigned job duties.
- Frequently stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
- Frequently use hands and arms to handle, grasp, reach, position, package, and inspect materials and finished products.
- Frequently bend, stoop, crouch, reach, push, pull, twist, and perform repetitive movements associated with production and material handling.
- Must be able to safely push, pull, move, or reposition materials, containers, finished products, carts, and production supplies.
- Must be able to safely climb and descend portable ladders or approved access equipment when checking material bins, hoppers, raw-material levels, or material flow into extrusion equipment.
- Must be able to maintain balance and safe body positioning while using ladders or approved elevated access points and must avoid overreaching.
- Must have sufficient visual ability to inspect finished products, read production documents and equipment information, identify defects, and perform required quality checks.
- Must be able to work safely around operating production equipment and respond appropriately to visual and audible warnings, alarms, and instructions.
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
The Operator Technician works in an active plastics extrusion manufacturing environment and is regularly exposed to operating machinery, moving materials, heated equipment, and powered auxiliary equipment. Potential hazards may include, but are not limited to:
Abilities
- Perform physical activities requiring considerable use of the arms and legs and movement of the whole body, including lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, climbing, and handling materials.
- Observe, receive, and obtain information from relevant sources such as die cards, production orders, work instructions, labels, equipment indicators, and verbal directions.
- Inspect equipment, raw materials, and finished products to quickly identify defects, possible causes, or other line problems and either respond within the employee's skill set and authority or notify the appropriate Line Lead, Setup Technician, Supervisor, Maintenance, or Quality personnel.
- Monitor and review information from the production-floor environment to detect or assess safety, quality, and production concerns.
- Communicate timely and accurate information to Supervisors, peers, Setup, Quality, Maintenance, and other employees in person, in writing, or by other approved methods as needed.
Central Plastics Inc. is seeking a dependable and safety-focused Operator Technician to join our manufacturing team. In this hands-on production role, you will operate and monitor plastics extrusion and downstream equipment, prepare materials and packaging, inspect finished products for quality, package and label completed products, and help keep production areas clean, organized, and running efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
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Operate and monitor assigned production and extrusion equipment.
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Inspect products to ensure they meet quality standards and specifications.
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Package, count, label, and identify finished products.
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Prepare materials, supplies, and work areas for production.
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Assist trained personnel with machine setups, product changes, startups, and shutdowns.
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Identify and report equipment, quality, or safety concerns.
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Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
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Accurately record required production and quality information.
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Follow company safety procedures, PPE requirements, work instructions, and supervisor direction.
- Dependability — being reliable, responsible, and dependable and fulfilling obligations.
- Attention to Detail — being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Adaptability/Flexibility — being open to correction, feedback, changing production needs, and daily changes.
- Cooperation — working respectfully with others and maintaining a cooperative attitude.
- Initiative — showing willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges within the scope of the position.
- Integrity — being honest, ethical, and trustworthy.
- Persistence — continuing to work effectively in the face of distractions and obstacles.
- Independence — working responsibly with appropriate initiative while recognizing when direction or assistance is required.
- Self-Control — maintaining composure, controlling emotions, and avoiding aggressive behavior even in difficult situations.
- Safety Awareness — remaining alert to hazards and consistently following safe-work practices and company procedures.
