Grinding Operator - 1st Shift

Combined Metals Company; Elgin, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Combined Metals Company in Elgin, IL is seeking a skilled machinist to grind, set up, and operate CNC and manual machines, ensuring precise finishes on strips and wires. You will adjust tooling, load programs, monitor tolerances, and keep accurate production logs.

Responsibilities include promoting safety, reading blueprints, inspecting outputs for defects, training new operators, and coordinating with manufacturing teams to resolve issues and maintain smooth production flows.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must pass the company mechanical test.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to read blueprints and use measuring instruments.
• Sufficient ability to maintain records and reports.

Responsibilities

• Support and adhere to all plant safety policies and procedures at all times.
• Prepare tooling by using machinery to grind, and polish according to customer and manufacturing needs.
• Make set-ups and operate all controls on manual and/or CNC machines.
• Responsible for wheel changes, correctly breaking down the machine, and setting up rolls to be grinded.
• Do proper roll alignments.
• Load and adjust the programs as needed for the proper finished product.
• Consistently grind the OD of slitter knives, idlers, drivers, and lateral rolls with and without tappers
• Have a mechanical aptitude to adjust feed and speeds, and consistently grind to tolerance.
• Make minor repairs, change the grinding wheel, and balance wheels.
• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance and production activities in the designated logbooks.
• Assist in the preparation and inspection of bulk products, identifying and reporting defects such as deformation, discoloration, and misshaping.
• Follow proper communication protocols with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to address and elevate equipment or product issues promptly.
• Troubleshoot basic equipment problems and make necessary adjustments to ensure smooth operations.
• Operate various equipment, including heavy machinery, forklifts, overhead cranes, and general tools (wrenches, tape measures, hammers).
• Monitor and maintain equipment oil levels, change coolants, adjust coolant levels, replace filter paper and filter bags, and empty sludge tanks as needed.
• Participate in required training and certification programs to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment by removing scrap, checking machines, and identifying potential hazards.
• Conduct visual inspections of strip finishes to identify grind shop defects when necessary.
• Train and mentor new operators, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles.
• Accurately use measuring tools such as micrometers, calipers, snap gauges, dial indicators, and surface testers for quality control.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Teamwork & communication

Blueprint reading

Mechanical aptitude

Recordkeeping & reporting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Dial indicators

Snap gauges

Surface testers

Heavy machinery operation

Forklifts

Overhead cranes

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $19 USD to $23 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

Combined Metals is a premier North American processor and specialty strip and wire distributor built through 50 years of growth and acquisition. Combined Metals is North America's largest independent processor and distributor of specialty strips and wire. Combined Metals has nine service centers supporting over 3,000 customers in the Aerospace, Defense, Nuclear, Medical, Petrochemical, Oil & Gas, Electrification, Automotive, and Consumer industries. Decades of quality and reliability have made Combined Metals™ a chosen source in performance applications.

Responsibilities:

• Support and adhere to all plant safety policies and procedures at all times.
• Prepare tooling by using machinery to grind, and polish according to customer and manufacturing needs.
• Make set-ups and operate all controls on manual and/or CNC machines.
• Responsible for wheel changes, correctly breaking down the machine, and setting up rolls to be grinded.
• Do proper roll alignments.
• Load and adjust the programs as needed for the proper finished product.
• Consistently grind the OD of slitter knives, idlers, drivers, and lateral rolls with and without tappers
• Have a mechanical aptitude to adjust feed and speeds, and consistently grind to tolerance.
• Make minor repairs, change the grinding wheel, and balance wheels.
• Maintain accurate records of all maintenance and production activities in the designated logbooks.
• Assist in the preparation and inspection of bulk products, identifying and reporting defects such as deformation, discoloration, and misshaping.
• Follow proper communication protocols with manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to address and elevate equipment or product issues promptly.
• Troubleshoot basic equipment problems and make necessary adjustments to ensure smooth operations.
• Operate various equipment, including heavy machinery, forklifts, overhead cranes, and general tools (wrenches, tape measures, hammers).
• Monitor and maintain equipment oil levels, change coolants, adjust coolant levels, replace filter paper and filter bags, and empty sludge tanks as needed.
• Participate in required training and certification programs to enhance skills and knowledge.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment by removing scrap, checking machines, and identifying potential hazards.
• Conduct visual inspections of strip finishes to identify grind shop defects when necessary.
• Train and mentor new operators, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles.
• Accurately use measuring tools such as micrometers, calipers, snap gauges, dial indicators, and surface testers for quality control.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be able to pass the company mechanical test.
• Manufacturing experience preferred.
• Sufficient ability to maintain records and reports.
• Ability to read blueprints and use measuring instruments.
• Working knowledge of measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, etc.).
• Understanding of production procedures.
• Analytical skills.
• Teamwork and communication skills.
• Adherence to health and safety regulations (e.g., constant use of protective gear).
• Mechanical aptitude.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.