Shifts (8 hours): 2nd - Monday through Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. OR 3rd shift - Monday through Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Position Summary
The Extrusion Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and quality-focused operation of extrusion equipment and raw material preparation systems. This position supports the fulfillment of production orders on production lines while maintaining quality standards, minimizing scrap and downtime, and ensuring a clean and safe work environment.
The Extrusion Operator works closely with Production, Process Engineering, Maintenance, Logistics, and Quality teams to meet production schedules and customer requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Production Operations
- Set up, start up, and operate twin-screw compounding extrusion equipment and raw material preparation systems to produce TPE compounds according to established procedures and quality requirements.
- Execute production schedules as directed by Shift Supervisors, Process Engineering, and the Production Manager.
- Ensure continuous production by delivering raw materials to mixers and scales on assigned production lines.
- Minimize scrap, setup times, and equipment downtime.
- Label and return unused raw materials to the Raw Material Preparation (RMP) area.
Quality Assurance
- Complete required startup inspections and perform routine visual inspections during production runs.
- Record and maintain all raw material lot numbers through weigh stations, scales, and CCS scanning systems.
- Ensure all online testing results, including hardness, density, and other specified measurements, are accurately entered into SAP.
- Complete all required production documentation before releasing finished orders to Quality Assurance.
- Maintain compliance with quality standards, operating procedures, and customer specifications.
Documentation and Reporting
- Accurately record production time, yield, and scrap data for each production order.
- Document equipment downtime, including detailed root cause and resolution information.
- Maintain accurate production paperwork, including:
- Setup and cleaning checklists
- Startup inspections
- Weigh and mix sheets
- Raw material lot number tracking
- Production records and logs
Communication and Teamwork
- Participate in shift-change communications to ensure smooth production transitions.
- Maintain effective communication with Raw Material Preparation, Process Engineering, Maintenance, Logistics, and Quality departments.
- Report material discrepancies, safety concerns, injuries, equipment issues, or any condition that may impact product quality or production schedules.
- Attend and actively participate in company-sponsored training programs.
Safety and Housekeeping
- Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and efficient work area.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and workplace organization efforts.
- Notify Maintenance and Supervisors of equipment malfunctions or damage promptly.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned to support manufacturing operations.
- schedules and customer requirements.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesProduction Operations
- Set up, start up, and operate twin-screw compounding extrusion equipment and raw material preparation systems to produce TPE compounds according to established procedures and quality requirements.
Quality Assurance
- Complete required startup inspections and perform routine visual inspections during production runs.
- Record and maintain all raw material lot numbers through weigh stations, scales, and CCS scanning systems.
- Ensure all online testing results, including hardness, density, and other specified measurements, are accurately entered into SAP.
- Complete all required production documentation before releasing finished orders to Quality Assurance.
- Maintain compliance with quality standards, operating procedures, and customer specifications.
Documentation and Reporting
- Accurately record production time, yield, and scrap data for each production order.
- Document equipment downtime, including detailed root cause and resolution information.
- Maintain accurate production paperwork, including:
- Setup and cleaning checklists
- Startup inspections
- Weigh and mix sheets
- Raw material lot number tracking
- Production records and logs
Communication and Teamwork
- Participate in shift-change communications to ensure smooth production transitions.
- Maintain effective communication with Raw Material Preparation, Process Engineering, Maintenance, Logistics, and Quality departments.
- Report material discrepancies, safety concerns, injuries, equipment issues, or any condition that may impact product quality or production schedules.
- Attend and actively participate in company-sponsored training programs.
Safety and Housekeeping
- Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and efficient work area.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and workplace organization efforts.
- Notify Maintenance and Supervisors of equipment malfunctions or damage promptly.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned to support manufacturing operations.
Required QualificationsEducation and Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum of one (1) year of manufacturing experience required.
- Experience operating plastics processing or extrusion equipment preferred.
- SAP experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesTechnical Competencies
- Equipment operation and material handling
- Extrusion line operation and technical knowledge
- TPE compound processing knowledge
- TPE raw material knowledge
- Quality control methods and testing procedures
- Process documentation and recordkeeping
- Safety policies, procedures, and best practices
- Forklift operation
Core Skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Mathematical aptitude
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Time management and organization skills
- Professionalism and reliability
- Oral and written communication skills
- Reading comprehension and ability to follow work instructions
Physical Requirements
- Ability to safely lift and carry up to 55 pounds of raw material bags or totes on a regular basis.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the production area for extended periods.
- Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment, moving machinery, and forklift traffic.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Training and development opportunities
- Safe and team-oriented work environment
If you are mechanically inclined, safety-focused, and enjoy working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we encourage you to apply for the Extrusion Operator position.
ABOUT US KRAIBURG TPE (www.kraiburg-tpe.com) is a global manufacturer of custom thermoplastic elastomers. KRAIBURG TPE was founded in 2001 as an independent business unit of the KRAIBURG Group and is now the industry's competence leader in the field of TPE compounds. The company's goal is to provide safe, reliable and sustainable products for customer applications. With more than 700 employees worldwide and production sites in Germany, the USA and Malaysia, the company offers a large product portfolio for applications in the automotive, industrial and consumer goods industries, as well as for the strictly regulated medical sector. The established THERMOLAST®, COPEC®, HIPEX® and For Tec E® product lines are processed by injection molding or extrusion and offer manufacturers numerous advantages not only in processing but also in product design. KRAIBURG TPE is characterized by its innovative strength, global customer orientation, customized product solutions and reliable service. The company is ISO 50001 certified at its headquarters in Germany and holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications at all its sites worldwide.
KRAIBURG TPE Corp is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What quality checks have you performed in previous manufacturing roles?
- Describe your experience operating extrusion or other manufacturing equipment.
- What would you do if a machine guard was damaged or removed?
Shift availability:
- Overnight Shift (Preferred)
- Night Shift (Preferred)
- Day Shift (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
