Forging Die Prep Operator

KOBELCO ALUMINUM AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS LLC; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Kobelco Aluminum Automotive Products LLC seeks a Die Prep Associate in the Forging department. The role involves die setting on mechanical presses, cleaning and inspecting dies and die holders, and following setup instructions to ensure high-quality parts.

You will coordinate with Tooling for repairs and TPMs, and log all activities as dies move through the plant. This non-exempt, full-time position emphasizes safety, precision, and teamwork to maintain efficient forging operations and minimize

Qualifications

• High school degree or GED or equivalent.
• Forklift certification (On-the-Job Training).
• Overhead crane certification (On-the-Job Training).
• Able to perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks (lifting up to 50 lbs, standing, walking).
• Willing to follow safety rules and wear PPE.

Responsibilities

• Clean die holders thoroughly to prevent setup issues causing downtime or scrap.
• Operate die heating ovens and heat dies to set temperature.
• Use pneumatic tools to clean holders, clamps, and dies, and to loosen and tighten die bolts.
• Follow setup sheets to correctly set dies, shims, and die combinations.
• Ensure safe handling with overhead cranes and forklifts during transport of dies.
• Read production schedule to ensure correct dies are set.
• Check die holder plugs for proper connections and temperature control.
• Change and set up roll forge dies.
• Collaborate with team to minimize changeover times during setup and hot swaps.

Skills

5S knowledge

Reading & measuring (inches, mm)

English literacy

Team collaboration

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

Forklift certification

Overhead crane certification

Tools

Pneumatic tools

Forklifts

Overhead cranes

Job description

Position Summary

Die prep operators are responsible for completing the die setting of the mechanical presses in Forging. Cleaning and inspection of dies and die holders, following proper setup instructions, and double-checking work to match forging check sheets set in place to ensure the best quality of parts will be produced when dies are set in holders at the press. They will also work directly with the Tooling dept. to schedule die repairs, TPM’s, & tooling modifications. All aspects from setup, inspection, & repair are all logged as dies move throughout the plant.

Job Title: Die Prep Associate

Classification: Non-Exempt

Department: Forging

Reports to: Forging Press Supervisor

Position Summary

Die prep operators are responsible for completing the die setting of the mechanical presses in Forging. Cleaning and inspection of dies and die holders, following proper setup instructions, and double-checking work to match forging check sheets set in place to ensure the best quality of parts will be produced when dies are set in holders at the press. They will also work directly with the Tooling dept. to schedule die repairs, TPM’s, & tooling modifications. All aspects from setup, inspection, & repair are all logged as dies move throughout the plant.

Key Responsibilities

• Clean die holders thoroughly to prevent die setup issues that lead to downtime & scrap


• Operate die heating ovens and correctly heat dies to set temperature


• Use pneumatic tools to clean holders, clamps, and dies, and to loosen and tighten die clamp bolts


• Follow setup sheets to accurately set dies to their recipe; shims, die combinations, correct parts, etc


• Safety and use of overhead cranes to transport dies and die holders


• Safety and use of forklifts to move dies from heaters to staging areas


• Read and understand the production schedule to ensure the correct dies are set


• To check Die holder plugs and ensure they are clean and getting a good connection to keep the holders at the proper temperature


• Changing and setting up roll forge dies


• Work together with fellow die prep team members to ensure the shortest change over times are met when setting up the forging roll and/or performing hot swaps when holders are down for repair
  

Skills & Competencies

• Understanding and utilization of 5S concept


• Must be able to read, write, and understand numbers and different forms of measurements. (Inches, millimeters)


• Ability to read and comprehend basic English


• Use pneumatic, hydraulic, & electric hand tools


• Must be able to work with others in a team environment


• Ability to follow instructions
  

Education & Experience

• High school degree or GED equivalence


• Forklift certification (OJT)


• Overhead crane certification (OJT)


• Able to perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks for extended periods, to include but not limited to lifting (up to 50 lbs.), walking, standing, stooping, pulling, and pushing


• Willing to maintain strict adherence to safety rules and regulations; including wearing personal protective equipment


• Willing to work in hot/humid, cold, dirty, & noisy industrial environment


• Basic computer literacy


• Good interpersonal skills


• Ability to read, write, and communicate verbally