Lead – Press Operator (1st Shift)

KIK Consumer Products; Westlake (LA); On-site; USD 28,981 - 41,276; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, wellness, dental, vision insurance

Retirement savings options with employer match

Education Assistance

Job summary

KIK Consumer Products in Westlake, LA is seeking a Lead Press Operator to oversee the daily operation of high-speed tablet press equipment. This role involves ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with safety and quality standards while leading a team of operators.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and experience in manufacturing. The position offers competitive pay with a base hourly rate of $25.50 and comprehensive benefits including health and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Ability to safely wear respiratory protective equipment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work rotating shifts and respond to call-outs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of tablet press equipment.
• Coordinate production activities and provide training.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Your Role at KIK

The Lead Press Operator oversees daily operation of high-speed tablet press equipment and associated production activities for tablet production lines, ensuring operational efficiency to support production objectives. This position operates within a chemical manufacturing environment and requires strict compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), hazardous material handling requirements, and company health, safety, and environmental policies. This position is for day shift working hours from 5:00AM to 1:30PM.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the daily operation of high-speed tablet press equipment and associated production systems to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing operations.
• Coordinate production activities and provide guidance, training, and support to operators to achieve production, quality, and safety objectives.
• Review and interpret production schedules, batch records, and work orders to ensure production requirements, specifications, and deadlines are met.
• Monitor equipment performance and product quality, making process adjustments as needed to maintain operational efficiency and product compliance.
• Perform equipment setup, changeovers, troubleshooting, and minor maintenance activities to minimize downtime and maximize productivity.
• Ensure accurate completion of production documentation, batch records, quality records, equipment logs, and operational reports.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections and operational rounds, documenting process parameters and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Quality, and Production teams to resolve equipment issues, quality concerns, and process deviations.
• Collect and evaluate process samples to ensure compliance with quality standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all product changeovers, cleaning activities, and line clearances are completed in accordance with established procedures.
• Prepare equipment for maintenance activities by performing decontamination, lockout/tagout, and equipment isolation procedures as required.
• Maintain housekeeping standards and ensure proper handling, storage, recycling, and reintroduction of materials into the manufacturing process.
• Promote and enforce compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety regulations, and company policies.
• Participate in safety programs, training initiatives, audits, and continuous improvement activities to enhance operational performance and workplace safety.
• Respond appropriately to equipment malfunctions, process upsets, power outages, spills, and emergency situations, including the use of emergency response equipment when required.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for tablet press operations and support operational excellence through coaching, problem-solving, and process improvement initiatives.
• Support a high-volume manufacturing operation through flexible scheduling, including nights, weekends, overtime, and on-call responsibilities as needed.
• Performs other duties and assignments as directed by supervisor

What You’ll Bring

• High school diploma and/or one year of previous operator experience High school diploma
• Ability to safely wear respiratory protective equipment for extended periods while performing assigned job duties.
• Ability to effectively communicate and comprehend verbal instructions while wearing respiratory protection and operating or monitoring manufacturing equipment.
• Must be capable of wearing and utilizing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Or negative press respirator.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, and respond to call-outs as required to support continuous manufacturing operations.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions, established procedures, work rules, and company standards.

Must successfully pass all pre-employment requirements, including a physical examination, functional capacity assessment, and drug screening.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during scheduled shifts
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds frequently
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs, and perform repetitive motions
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, humidity levels, and manufacturing environments
• Ability to wear required PPE for extended periods

What You Will Get

KIK offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including health, wellness, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. You can plan for your future with KIK's retirement savings options including employer match. KIK also recognizes the importance of continuing education and offers Education Assistance to our employees to encourage continued personal development and growth. We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. This position has a base hourly rate of $25.50.

Equal Employment Opportunity

KIK is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. KIK does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or uniformed services status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information or any other status protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodations

KIK is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application, or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the job, please contact Human Resources immediately.