Extrusion Operator

Kruger Family Industries; Portage (WI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Kruger Family Industries in Portage, WI seeks an Extrusion Operator to set up and run a plastic extrusion line and related equipment. You will read job orders, adjust feed, speed, and temperature, and monitor product quality while documenting production data.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 2–4 years of related experience, with the ability to handle heavy machinery, perform setup changes, and assist with maintenance and process improvements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 2–4 years related experience
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

• Read job orders for product specs and determine operation sequence.
• Set controls for feed, speed, and temperature.
• Observe machine to verify conformance to specs.
• Measure and record finished product characteristics.
• Disassemble and reassemble equipment for setup changes.
• Enter and retrieve production data in ERP system.
• Perform work center management tasks and maintain paperwork.
• Assist maintenance with minor repairs and in absence of Extrusion Lead.

Skills

Reads job orders

Extrusion operation

ERP data entry

Quality compliance

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two to four years related experience

Job description

SUMMARY

The Extrusion Operator sets up and operates a plastic extruder including all support equipment by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Reads job order for product specifications such as dimensions and tolerances, and instructions such as feed rates, cutting speeds, and determines sequence of operations.
• Moves controls to set specified feed, speed and temperature parameters.
• Observes operation of machine and verifies conformance of materials to specifications.
• Measure and record finished product characteristics to ensure compliance to customer specifications.
• Disassemble, clean and reassemble (screws, dies, rolls, etc.) when setting for different production run.
• Compile and maintain documentation of all production and process information (maintenance log, audit sheets and set-up sheets).
• Sets up and operates machines and equipment other than the extruder such as material grinder and blending units or process control equipment.
• Plan and make preparations for upcoming orders.
• Repair minor machine and support equipment failure.
• Assist maintenance with major machine and support equipment repairs.
• Enters process operating parameters into the computerized control system.
• Enter and retrieve production information on PC utilizing the ERP system.
• Perform work center management tasks (plot information, up date & maintain paperwork).
• Perform duties of Extrusion Lead in the Lead’s absence.
• Performs position in accordance with established quality standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED), two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to run extruder machines and transport sheeting. This involves climbing ladders (18 rungs at 10.5” height of rung), walking on concrete surfaces (constantly up and down 150’ length of extruder), sustaining crouched of half-kneeling positions for up to 10 minutes, climbing on platforms (12” steps) to downstream rollers, cleaning upper and lower chrome rollers, tighten/loosen bolts to raise/lower rollers and break dies using > 750 Nm of torque, generate pull force of 47 pounds to pull sheeting and < 47 pounds of force with a utility knife to cut sheeting, climb up walk alongside of extruder machine, pick up scrap from floor to overhead on average 5 pounds, lift floor to waist a maximum of 42 pounds, stand in single position for up to 10 minutes, sit and operate computer up to 15 minutes at a time, sit in a fork lift up to 15 minutes at a time, and climb in/out of a fork lift.

This involves close and color vision requirements and is in an environment that is near moving mechanical parts, extreme heat (non-weather related) conditions, and loud noise.