Plant Operator

Airgas, Inc.; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Life and AD&D Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid Holidays and Vacation

14-week paid parental leave

Job summary

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company, in Elk Grove Village, IL, seeks a Plant Operator to safely operate equipment for handling and producing packaged gas cylinders, including high-pressure and cryogenic items. You will manage loading/unloading, labeling, and safety checks as part of daily duties.

The role offers a Monday–Friday schedule, $22 per hour, and a comprehensive benefits package with 401(k) match and education assistance. Join a safety‑driven team committed to reliable service.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to safely operate a forklift.

Responsibilities

• Loads and unloads gas cylinders and/or other products onto and off of route trucks and trailers moving cylinders with proper carts only.
• Sorts empty cylinders by type.
• Rolls cylinders and operates a forklift truck for the movement of cylinders on pallets.
• Understands hazards of various gasses; size and contents of cylinders by reading and interpreting cylinder labels and the color-coding of tanks.
• Attaches to manifold, evacuates cylinders to eliminate all possible contaminants.
• Performs basic cylinder maintenance such as painting cylinders, labeling cylinders, and cleaning of work area.
• Inspects cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards.
• Conducts a variety of Safety checks per procedures, such as odor tests, checking caps and valves.
• Fills cylinders by pressure and weight, per regulations and standards.
• Checks for cylinder quantities, styles and product, and/or assists with inventory.
• Manages paperwork to DOT, FDA, OSHA, and Airgas standards and completes quality control sheets as required.
• Complies with all government and company standards relating to the safe handling of hazardous materials/cylinder gases.

Skills

Forklift operation

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Math skills

Safety compliance

Education

HS Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklift

Safety equipment handling

Job description

R10100320 Plant Operator (Open)

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL - Filling industrial

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative.

At Airgas, we RESPECT, HONOR and VALUE diversity.

Airgas is Hiring for a Plant Operator in Elk Grove Village, IL!

We are looking for you!

Benefits

• Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
• Support for Parents: We offer a 14-week paid child birth benefit to support growing families.
• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment.
• Pay $22 hr
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

The Plant Operator is responsible for safely operating equipment for the handling and production of packaged gas cylinders, both for high pressure and liquefied gasses.

Responsibilities

• Loads and unloads gas cylinders and/or other products onto and off of route trucks and trailers moving cylinders with proper carts only.
• Sorts empty cylinders by type.
• Rolls cylinders and operates a forklift truck for the movement of cylinders on pallets.
• Understands hazards of various gasses; size and contents of cylinders by reading and interpreting cylinder labels and the color-coding of tanks. Accurately labels cylinders.
• Handles high-pressure, medical and liquid cylinders. Prepares high pressure cylinders and cryogenic vessels for filling. Attaches to manifold, evacuates cylinders to eliminate all possible contaminants.
• Performs basic cylinder maintenance such as painting cylinders, labeling cylinders, and cleaning of work area.
• Inspects cylinders prior to filling, following standard procedures as required by government, Airgas, and distributor standards.
• Conducts a variety of Safety checks per procedures, such as odor tests, checking caps and valves. Fills cylinders by pressure and weight, per regulations and standards.
• Checks for cylinder quantities, styles and product, and/or assists with inventory.
• Manages paperwork to DOT, FDA, OSHA, and Airgas standards and completes quality control sheets as required.
• Complies with all government and company standards relating to the safe handling of hazardous materials/cylinder gases.

Required Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a wide variety of people with different personalities and backgrounds.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Detail-oriented.
• Ability to safely operate a forklift.
• Ability to perform math functions.
• Lives by Airgas safety programs, OSHA, and all related rules, regulations, procedures which are applicable to this position's responsibilities.
• Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience in manufacturing operations or loading and unloading.
• Strong background in gas, welding and safety supply industry or chemical industry.
• Prior forklift experience.

We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.

Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees' dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.

About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.

Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you'll find a welcoming workplace where you're valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career - whatever path you choose.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [e-mail].

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