Operator Technician-3rd Shift

Kids for the Future; Kansas; On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Plastics Inc. in McPherson, KS is seeking an Operator Technician to support plastics extrusion production. The role involves operating extrusion and downstream equipment after setup, staging materials, and ensuring safety and quality standards are met.

Responsibilities include monitoring equipment, recording production data, and maintaining a clean work area. Previous experience is helpful but CPI will provide training to motivated individuals seeking a hands-on manufacturing role.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for long periods.
• Follow safety rules, PPE requirements, and supervisor directions.
• Record production and quality information accurately.

Responsibilities

• Operate extrusion and downstream production equipment after setup and release for production.
• Prepare raw materials, packaging materials, labels, and tools for production changes.
• Monitor equipment for malfunctions and report abnormalities promptly.
• Record production counts, scrap, downtime, and other required information.
• Maintain clean, organized work area and follow safety procedures.

Job description

• Location 811 W 1ST ST,McPherson, KS, 67460-3266,United States
• Base Pay $18.00 - $21.00 / Hour
• Other Compensation 1.25
• Job Category Manufacturing
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt
• Manage Others No

• Phone [phone] Ext 508

The Operator Technician supports safe and efficient plastics extrusion production by operating assigned production and downstream equipment after the line has been properly set up and released for production. The position prepares packaging materials, packages finished product, performs required quality checks, records production information, monitors equipment and product condition, maintains an orderly work area, and promptly communicates abnormalities. The Operator Technician is expected to recognize product defects, equipment concerns, process changes, and safety hazards; stop or contain work when required; and notify the appropriate Setup Technician, Line Lead, Supervisor, Maintenance, or Quality personnel. Process troubleshooting, substantive line adjustments, setup/changeover work, and other higher-level operating duties are not independently performed at the Technician level unless a specific task has been separately trained and authorized.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate assigned extrusion and downstream production equipment after the line has been properly set up and released for production, following established procedures, work instructions, production orders, die cards, and supervisor direction.
• Prepare and stage raw materials, packaging materials, labels, tools, and work areas needed to support assigned production and upcoming product changes.
• Observe equipment operation continuously so malfunctions, abnormal conditions, unsafe conditions, or process problems can be recognized and reported promptly.
• Monitor extrusion and downstream equipment, including pullers/haul-offs, conveyors, cooling equipment, cutters, and other line components, for proper operation without independently changing process settings or setup conditions.
• Perform only basic operator actions specifically identified in established work instructions and within Technician-level training; contact Setup, a Line Lead, or supervision when process or equipment adjustment is required.
• Lift, move, stage, load, and unload raw materials, finished products, packaging materials, and production supplies manually or with approved material-handling equipment.
• Count, package, mark, tag, and identify finished products to ensure product orders are complete and properly labeled.
• Load and unload items from machines, conveyors, carts, racks, and other approved conveyances.
• Clean and organize assigned equipment and production areas. Cleaning involving dies, tooling, guarded areas, or hazardous energy must be performed only after the equipment is placed in a safe condition and only as specifically trained and directed.
• Maintain good housekeeping by promptly addressing or reporting pellets, scrap, packaging debris, water, oil, hoses, cords, tools, or other slip, trip, or production hazards.
• Stop production or stop saving product when required by established quality or safety procedures and promptly notify the appropriate Setup, Quality, Lead, or Supervisor personnel.
• Follow all company safety rules, quality procedures, work instructions, PPE requirements, and supervisor directions.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with Technician-level training and authorization.

Quality and Production Responsibilities

• Examine products at required intervals to verify conformance to established quality standards, specifications, and tolerances.
• Perform visual and dimensional inspections using approved measuring devices, gauges, templates, tape measures, scales, or other tools for which the employee has been trained.
• Record required production and quality information, including measurements, width, length, color, shape, feel or rigidity/flexibility, dates, times, production counts, scrap, downtime, or other required information.
• Recognize product defects or abnormal process conditions such as dimensional variation, discoloration, surface defects, inconsistent material flow, poor cooling, twisting, bowing, or improper cutting and report them promptly rather than independently troubleshooting the process.
• Identify, stop saving, and segregate nonconforming or questionable product as required and promptly communicate quality concerns to the appropriate personnel.
• Monitor production counts, scrap, and downtime; accurately record concerns and notify Setup, Quality, a Line Lead, or Supervisor when performance varies from expected conditions.
• Communicate accurate information during shift changes and to Supervisors, Setup, Quality, Maintenance, and other employees as needed.

Safety Responsibilities

• Remain alert and attentive while working around operating extrusion equipment and moving machinery.
• Inspect or observe machine guards, emergency stops, interlocks, pull cords, and other safety devices as required and immediately report damaged, missing, or improperly functioning safety equipment.
• Never bypass, defeat, remove, or work around a guard or safety device except as specifically authorized under an approved procedure.
• Never reach into, over, around, or through guards or attempt to clear jams while hazardous machine motion or energy is present.
• Follow lockout/tagout and hazardous-energy-control requirements whenever a task requires energy isolation. Employees must not perform lockout/tagout work beyond their training and authorization.
• Use required personal protective equipment for the task and work area, which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, safety footwear, heat-resistant gloves, cut-resistant gloves, or other task-specific PPE. Gloves must not be used where they create an entanglement hazard around rotating or moving equipment.
• Immediately report injuries, near misses, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, spills, and safety concerns to supervision.
• Use ladders and approved access equipment safely and follow established ladder-safety requirements.

Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as required to perform assigned job duties.
• Frequently stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
• Frequently use hands and arms to handle, grasp, reach, position, package, and inspect materials and finished products.
• Frequently bend, stoop, crouch, reach, push, pull, twist, and perform repetitive movements associated with production and material handling.
• Must be able to safely push, pull, move, or reposition materials, containers, finished products, carts, and production supplies.
• Must be able to safely climb and descend portable ladders or approved access equipment when checking material bins, hoppers, raw-material levels, or material flow into extrusion equipment.
• Must be able to maintain balance and safe body positioning while using ladders or approved elevated access points and must avoid overreaching.
• Must have sufficient visual ability to inspect finished products, read production documents and equipment information, identify defects, and perform required quality checks.
• Must be able to work safely around operating production equipment and respond appropriately to visual and audible warnings, alarms, and instructions.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Abilities

• Perform physical activities requiring considerable use of the arms and legs and movement of the whole body, including lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, climbing, and handling materials.
• Observe, receive, and obtain information from relevant sources such as die cards, production orders, work instructions, labels, equipment indicators, and verbal directions.
• Inspect equipment, raw materials, and finished products to recognize defects, abnormal conditions, or other line problems and promptly notify the appropriate Line Lead, Setup Technician, Supervisor, Maintenance, or Quality personnel when corrective action is required.
• Monitor and review information from the production-floor environment to detect or assess safety, quality, and production concerns.
• Communicate timely and accurate information to Supervisors, peers, Setup, Quality, Maintenance, and other employees in person, in writing, or by other approved methods as needed.

Summary

Central Plastics Inc. is seeking a dependable and motivated Operator Technician to join our manufacturing team. This is a hands-on production position responsible for assisting with the safe and efficient operation of extrusion equipment while producing quality products that meet customer and company specifications.

The Operator Technician works as part of a production team to monitor equipment and product quality, package finished products, maintain an organized work area, complete required production documentation, and assist with basic equipment adjustments and troubleshooting. Team members are expected to follow established safety, quality, and operating procedures while developing the skills and knowledge necessary to advance through CPI’s Operator Progression Program.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on work, working with machinery, learning new skills, solving problems, and being part of a team-oriented manufacturing environment. Previous manufacturing or extrusion experience is helpful but not required; CPI will provide training to individuals who demonstrate a strong work ethic, dependability, safety awareness, and a willingness to learn.