Lead Processing Operator - North

Oil-Dri Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 46,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Oil-Dri Corporation seeks a Processing Lead Person for the North Plant shift (7a-7p) to direct and troubleshoot the processing group while performing hands-on duties. You will guide the team, ensure safety, and maintain high processing standards while coordinating with supervision on schedules and production goals.

The role requires strong leadership, familiarity with product specs and SOPs, and the ability to work rotating shifts with a focus on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Must meet the assessment requirements for this position.
• Must read, comprehend, and act on product specifications, SOPs, PWI, AIQ processes, and similar documents.
• Must have good interpersonal skills to provide leadership including strong verbal and written communication.
• Understands ownership of the process and can direct team members accordingly.
• Ability to analyze data and guide the team to meet quality and production goals.
• Understand safety requirements to ensure compliance with rules and precautions.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts and assist operators to maintain an efficient process.
• Basic mechanical skills and ability to monitor equipment and control panels.
• Capable of entering data into computer databases and making informed decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to the processing work group and troubleshoot problems.
• Understand internal customer needs and act to meet expectations.
• Know the daily schedule and performance targets and take action to meet them.
• Maintain the highest level of processing skills and knowledge.
• Direct individual work schedules to meet safety, production, quality, and housekeeping objectives.
• Coordinate with supervisors to ensure clay supply to operations.
• Perform equipment inspections and coordinate maintenance work orders.
• Ensure areas are clean and safety rules are followed.
• Acquired PPE and safety compliance as required for the shift.
• Provide back-up support to other departments as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Process control

Data analysis

Safety compliance

Shift supervision

Job description

Department: North Plant Processing Shift - 7a-7p

Reports To: Processing Supervisor

Job Summary:

The Processing Lead Person is responsible for providing direction and troubleshooting in the processing group, and performing hands‑on duties necessary to maintain and operate efficient processing. This is in addition to working at the highest level of processing skills to which direction is being given.

Essential Functions:

• Spends up to 50% of work time providing guidance to others in the processing work group including troubleshooting problems.

• Understands internal customer needs and takes action to meet expectations.

• Knows the daily schedule and performance targets and takes action to meet expectations.

• Maintains the highest level of processing skills.

• Identifies personal development needs and seeks training to fill gaps.

• Understands product specifications and how to modify processes to meet specifications. Assures standards are being met.

• Operates and/or assists or replaces operators when necessary, to maintain efficient process.

• Provides input to supervisor/manager on performance of team members and makes recommendations for disciplinary actions.

• Provides input and recommendations for fostering morale.

• Directs the individual work schedules of the personnel assigned to the shift to meet the daily objectives of safety production, quality, and housekeeping. Coordinate with the Processing, Packaging and Maintenance Supervisor to ensure clay supply to their operations.

• Responsible for accomplishing equipment inspections as necessary and coordinating work orders and callouts of maintenance personnel to meet acceptable plant performance as defined by Plant Manager.

• Assures areas are clean and free of clutter and that all safety rules, regulation and precautions are being followed.

• Performs all other duties assigned.

• Must act in accordance with WE CARE and participates in improvement activities.

• Other actions as needed to satisfy company goals, process, and procedures and to uphold values inherent to Oil-Dri.

• Acquires further training and proficiency in other job functions on the processing team.

• Provides back‑up support to other departments as needed.

Experience:

• Must meet the assessment requirements for this position.

• Must be able to read, comprehend, and act on product specifications, SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures), PWI (Process Work Instructions), AIQ processes, and similar documents.

• Must have good interpersonal skills to provide leadership including good verbal and written communication skills.

• Has an understanding of the concept of ownership of the process.

• Must be able to analyze data and direct team members to meet quality and production objectives.

• Must understand all safety requirements to insure compliance with rules, regulations and precautions.

• Must possess a willingness to work on rotating shifts and assist operators to maintain an efficient process.

• Must possess basic mechanical skills.

• Must be able to visually monitor electronic equipment, cameras and control panel, interpret the data and take appropriate actions.

• Must be able to read and comprehend product specifications.

• Must have functional understanding of process controls.

• Must understand all safety requirements and other communications.

• Must be able to enter data into computer databases.

• Must be willing to make decisions within the scope of his responsibilities and be accountable for those decisions.

• Must satisfy the spirit of WE CARE.

• Must be able to stand for the duration of the shift.

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds frequently.

• Bending, reaching, twisting, stooping, walking, and climbing stairways and ladders frequently.

• All of the requirements for the maintenance positions being guided.

• Must be able to function in the required role wearing appropriate PPE including, but not limited to: Safety glasses, hearing protection, dust mask, protective coveralls, and other as may be required by a hot/cold, dusty, noisy industrial environment.
  Hire Rate: $24.77