Looper Operator

Valmont Industries; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401k

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Valmont Industries in Kentucky is seeking a Looper Operator to maintain a steady supply of material for the tube mill. You will use a 30-ton crane to move heavy coils, weld coil ends with a mic miller, and feed material from the uncoiler to the mill.

You will also assist mill and cutter operators, track coil inventory with basic math, and ensure safety and quality during production. This role requires independent work and strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years in manufacturing or fabrication.
• Knowledge of welding techniques and using a mic miller 252 welder.
• Ability to read and write for accurate records and communication.
• Ability to obtain forklift and overhead crane certification.
• Strong spatial awareness to operate heavy equipment safely.
• Basic math to track material usage and inventory.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Weld coils and ensure continuous material flow from uncoiler to tube mill.
• Operate a 30-ton overhead crane to lift and position heavy coils.
• Connect coils by welding ends to feed seamlessly into the mill.
• Adjust mill setup for varying coil sizes and coordinate with material handlers.
• Monitor coil inventory and maintain accurate daily material records.
• Maintain clean, safe work area and perform basic equipment maintenance.
• Coordinate with other operators and quality inspectors to resolve issues.
• Ensure welded coils meet customer specifications through final quality checks.

Skills

Welding

Overhead crane operation

Forklift certification

Math for material tracking

Record keeping

Team communication

Tools

Mic Miller 252 Welder

Overhead crane

Job description

28800 Ida St Valley Nebraska 68064-8016

Why Valmont

We’re Here to Move the World Forward. Valmont impacts millions of people around the world every day, yet they might not realize the many ways. Our technology is helping feed the growing population, supplying the world with more reliable energy and access to renewables, enhancing connectivity in remote and urban locations to create a sustainable future and so much more. Simply put, Valmont is advancing agricultural productivity and reimagining vital infrastructure to make life better. Join a Fortune 1000 company that respects hard work, honors diversity and invests in our employees as we focus on creating the world of tomorrow, today. We are the modern workforce. Are you ready to move the world forward?

Compensation: $26.13 per hour Schedule: 1st shift, Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

A Brief Summary of This Position

The Looper Operator plays a crucial role in maintaining a continuous supply of material to the tube mill to ensure uninterrupted production. The primary responsibility is to use a 30-ton crane to handle and stage heavy coils of steel, ensuring the mill stays stocked with material. The operator is responsible for connecting steel ends and feeding them into the mill, utilizing a mic miller and manual welder to join coil tails. Time management and basic math skills are essential as the Looper Operator must track coil sizes, manage staging, and ensure the material flows smoothly from the uncoiler to the mill. The role also includes assisting the mill and cutoff operators as needed, supporting efficient production and ensuring optimal mill operation.

Essential Functions

• Weld coils together using a mic miller 252 manual welder to ensure continuous material flow from the uncoiler to the tube mill, enabling uninterrupted production.
• Operate a 30-ton overhead crane to lift and position heavy coils onto the coil tree and stage them for the mill.
• Connect steel coils by welding the ends together to ensure they can feed seamlessly into the mill for continuous operation.
• Adjust the mill setup for different coil sizes and coordinate with the slitter material handler to ensure the proper material is available for the production run.
• Monitor coil inventory and keep accurate records of materials used, including quantity, type, and footage, on a daily basis.
• Work independently with minimal supervision, referring to a work binder for standard procedures, and using trial and error to adjust the forming sections of the mill.
• Communicate with other operators, including the slitter, material handlers, and quality inspectors, to ensure a smooth flow of material and to resolve any issues that arise during the process.
• Operate and maintain forming sections of the mill, ensuring consistent output of materials and addressing any mechanical or operational issues as needed.
• Ensure spatial awareness and attention to detail when operating the crane to avoid costly mistakes, as improper handling of coils can result in significant damage.
• Perform general maintenance and clean-up of the work area, ensuring it remains safe and organized for continued operation.
• Maintain quality control by ensuring that welded coils and other materials meet customer specifications, with final quality checks performed by inspectors.
• Use basic math skills to manage time, assess coil sizes, and determine how much material is running versus the size of coils in order to keep the mill stocked efficiently.

Required Qualifications of Every Candidate (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing or fabrication environment
• Basic knowledge of welding techniques and operation of welding equipment, including the ability to operate a mic miller 252 manual welder
• Ability to read and write legibly for accurate record‑keeping and communication
• Proficiency in using decimals and fractions, and converting between both
• Ability to obtain forklift and overhead crane certification
• Strong spatial awareness to safely and efficiently operate heavy equipment in a dynamic environment
• Basic mathematical skills to track material usage, production rates, and coil inventory
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently while maintaining communication with other team members
• Demonstrates a strong passion for quality, integrity, and the drive to excel and produce exceptional results.

Highly Qualified Candidates Will Also Possess These Qualifications:

• Experience with additional welding techniques, such as stick welding, wire welding, or strip welding
• Advanced experience operating a hand‑held overhead crane, particularly in a heavy manufacturing setting
• Familiarity with basic mechanical principles, including troubleshooting and maintaining heavy machinery
• Ability to work with and adjust the mill setup for varying coil sizes
• Experience in maintaining accurate inventory records and coordinating material flow with other operators and teams

Benefits

Valmont offers employees and their families a comprehensive Total Wellbeing benefit package to ensure their individual and family’s overall wellness needs are met. Some offerings are dependent upon the role, work schedule, or location and can include the following:

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one‑on‑one health coaching, mortgage services and more

Valmont does not discriminate against any employee or applicant in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you have a disability and require any assistance in filling out the application for employment email [e-mail].

Valmont is here to modernize vital infrastructure and increase agricultural productivity, sustainably and reliably. We galvanize steel to last a century with minimal environmental impact. We modernize irrigation to feed a growing population by utilizing the latest technology. We harden the electrical grid to enable the delivery of reliable power to millions of homes around the world. And we help make communities everywhere safer, cleaner and more connected through our smart infrastructure technology. Valmont serves two primary markets — agriculture and infrastructure — and seven diverse product lines: Utility, Lighting and Transportation, Telecom, Solar, Coatings, Irrigation and Ag Tech. We manufacture products in 85 facilities spread across six continents, and we do business in 100 different countries. That’s what Valmont does. We conserve resources and improve life, finding ways to make innovation and technology beneficial in the real world. + That’s the value we add.