Plastic Extrusion Operator

Laborup; Newport (TN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Laborup is seeking Extrusion Operators for a plastics manufacturing operation. This hands-on role runs and maintains plastic extrusion lines from startup through finished product.

You will monitor line performance, perform quality checks with precision measuring tools, and coordinate with maintenance and tooling teams to resolve issues.

Day and night shifts available on rotating schedules; built-in overtime and direct-hire full-time placement.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of experience with plastic extrusion equipment.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot basic production equipment issues.
• Ability to read and understand product specifications and work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Operate extrusion lines and related equipment.
• Setup, startup, and shutdown extrusion lines.
• Adjust color, length, tooling position, and other process variables.
• Perform quality inspections with measuring tools.
• Troubleshoot equipment, tooling, quality, and process issues.
• Support material flow and downstream packaging.
• Document production, quality, scrap, labeling, and equipment records.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Reading specifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Tape measures

Calipers

Squares

Microscopes

Color meters

Job description

Overview

We’re hiring Extrusion Operators for a large, established plastics manufacturing operation.

This is a hands-on machine operation role responsible for running and maintaining plastic extrusion lines from startup through finished product. Operators work with extruders, downstream equipment, pullers, saws, tooling, and related production equipment while monitoring the process to ensure products remain within specification.

You’ll prepare and start equipment, monitor line performance, make process adjustments, perform quality checks using precision measuring tools, troubleshoot production issues, and coordinate with maintenance and tooling teams when problems arise.

What makes this role great:

• Skilled Manufacturing Work: Build experience with extrusion equipment, tooling, process adjustments, troubleshooting, and dimensional inspection
• 50% of Your Days Off: Rotating 12-hour schedules + ability to choose either days or nights
• Direct Path to Advancement: Advanced production and lead roles are filled from the shop floor, creating opportunities for promotion

Compensation

• $19/hr – Day shift
• $20/hr – Night shift
• Built-in overtime through the rotating schedules
• Full-time, direct-hire – not a temp job

Shift

Multiple openings are available on both days and nights:

• Day Shift: Rotating 2-2-3 schedule, 12-hour shifts
• Night Shift: Rotating 4-on / 4-off schedule, 12-hour shifts

Responsibilities:

• Extrusion Line Operation: Operate extruders, downstream equipment, pullers, saws, and other associated production equipment.
• Setup & Startup: Prepare extrusion lines for production, verify proper setup, and complete normal startup, shutdown, and emergency operating procedures.
• Process Adjustments: Make adjustments to color, length, tooling position, pins, and other process variables to keep products within specification.
• Quality Inspection: Perform routine product checks and measurements using tools such as tape measures, calipers, squares, microscopes, and color meters.
• Troubleshooting: Identify equipment, tooling, quality, and process issues and coordinate with maintenance, tooling, and production leadership when additional support is needed.
• Material & Production Support: Monitor material needs, maintain production flow, build packaging crates when required, and support downstream packaging activities.
• Documentation: Complete required production, quality, scrap, labeling, and equipment records accurately.

Qualifications:

• 1+ year of experience working with plastic extrusion equipment
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot basic production equipment issues
• Ability to read and understand product specifications and work instructions
• Experience using measuring instruments such as tape measures and calipers