PM EXTRUDER OPERATOR

Hickman's Family Farms; Avondale (AZ); On-site; USD 49,594,000 - 71,635,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matching 401k

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Birthday

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Hickman’s Family Farms is seeking an Extruder Operator to operate and maintain high-speed extrusion equipment, ensuring consistent flow and quality of plastic material used in packaging. You will perform startups, calibrations, shutdowns, and routine checks to support safe, efficient production.

You’ll build pallets, monitor product quality, assist maintenance, and follow GMP and safety protocols. The position starts with daytime training and moves to PM shifts after onboarding, with

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training in manufacturing or related field preferred.
• Previous experience in manufacturing, especially with extrusion or thermal forming equipment.
• Basic understanding of HMI (Human-Machine Interface) systems and ability to make machine adjustments.
• Forklift and pallet jack certification, or willingness to obtain certification.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality control and product standards.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and maintain a safe work environment.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality to meet production schedules.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor extruder equipment, ensuring consistent flow and quality of the extruded plastic material.
• Perform equipment startups, calibrations, and shutdowns according to standard operating procedures.
• Build pallets with finished products and ensure proper labeling and storage.
• Utilize the HMI to control the machine and make minor production adjustments.
• Inspect product quality and take corrective action for defects or overfilling.
• Monitor coil levels and refill to prevent machine stoppages.
• Obtain forklift and pallet jack OSHA certification; assist with moving materials as required.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area following safety and GMP protocols.
• Assist maintenance team in troubleshooting and repairing machinery when issues arise.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety-conscious

Reliable attendance

Ability to work independently

Fast learner

Strong work ethic

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklift certification

Pallet jack certification

Job description

Job Summary:The Extruder Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining extruder equipment to produce plastic materials used in packaging. This role includes performing startups, monitoring product quality, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance on high-speed extrusion equipment. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced production environment, supporting Hickman’s commitment to efficient and quality packaging production.Duties and Responsibilities:Operate and monitor extruder equipment, ensuring consistent flow and quality of extruded plastic material.Perform equipment startups, calibrations, and shutdowns according to standard operating procedures.Build pallets of finished products and ensure proper labeling and storage.Utilize the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) for machine controls, making minor adjustments to optimize production.Regularly inspect product quality, check for defects or overfilling, and take corrective action as needed.Monitor coil levels and refill as necessary to prevent machine stoppages or collisions.Obtain forklift and pallet jack OSHA certification; assist with moving raw materials and finished products as required.Maintain a clean and organized work area, following all safety and GMP protocols.Assist maintenance team in troubleshooting and repairing machinery when technical issues arise.Resumen del Puesto:El Operador de Extrusora es responsable de operar y mantener el equipo de extrusión para producir materiales plásticos utilizados en el empaque. Este puesto incluye realizar arranques, monitorear la calidad del producto, resolver problemas y realizar mantenimiento rutinario en equipos de extrusión de alta velocidad. El candidato ideal es detallista, consciente de la seguridad y capaz de trabajar de manera independiente en un entorno de producción de ritmo rápido, apoyando el compromiso de Hickman’s con una producción de empaque eficiente y de alta calidad.Funciones y Responsabilidades:Operar y monitorear el equipo de extrusión, asegurando un flujo constante y calidad uniforme del material plástico extruido.Realizar arranques, calibraciones y apagados del equipo según los procedimientos operativos estándar.Armar tarimas con los productos terminados y asegurar el etiquetado y almacenamiento adecuados.Utilizar la interfaz HMI (Interfaz Humano-Máquina) para controlar la máquina, haciendo ajustes menores para optimizar la producción.Inspeccionar regularmente la calidad del producto, verificar defectos o sobrellenado, y tomar acciones correctivas cuando sea necesario.Monitorear los niveles de bobina y rellenar según sea necesario para evitar paros o colisiones en la máquina.Obtener la certificación OSHA para el uso de montacargas y patines hidráulicos; asistir en el movimiento de materiales y productos terminados cuando se requiera.Mantener un área de trabajo limpio y organizada, siguiendo todos los protocolos de seguridad y Buenas Prácticas de Manufactura (GMP).Apoyar al equipo de mantenimiento en la resolución de problemas y reparación del equipo cuando surjan fallas técnicas.Required Skills and Abilities:High school diploma or equivalent; technical training in manufacturing or related field preferred.Previous experience in manufacturing, especially with extrusion or thermal forming equipment.Basic understanding of HMI (Human-Machine Interface) systems and ability to make machine adjustments.Forklift and pallet jack certification, or willingness to obtain certification.Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality control and product standards.Ability to follow safety protocols and maintain a safe work environment.Reliable attendance and punctuality to meet production schedules.Education and Experience:No specific education requirement listedPrior food production or processing experience preferred, but not requiredPhysical Requirements:Ability to stand, walk, squat, bend, and lift for extended periods.Comfortable working in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise and machinery.Ability to frequently lift and move items up to 50 pounds.Work Schedule:This position begins with daytime hours for training. Upon successful completion of training, the employee will transition to a PM (evening/night) shift. During the training period, the employee will learn the necessary skills and responsibilities, and once fully trained, will be expected to work in the PM shift as the primary role.Habilidades y Capacidades Requeridas:Diploma de preparatoria o equivalente; se prefiere capacitación técnica en manufactura o campo relacionado.Experiencia previa en manufactura, especialmente con equipos de extrusión o termoformado.Conocimientos básicos de sistemas HMI (Interfaz Humano-Máquina) y habilidad para hacer ajustes al equipo.Certificación en montacargas y patín hidráulico, o disposición para obtenerla.Gran atención al detalle y compromiso con el control de calidad y los estándares del producto.Capacidad para seguir protocolos de seguridad y mantener un entorno de trabajo seguro.Asistencia y puntualidad confiables para cumplir con los horarios de producción.Educación y Experiencia:No se requiere educación específica.Se prefiere experiencia previa en producción o procesamiento de alimentos, pero no es obligatoria.Requisitos Físicos:Capacidad para estar de parado, caminar, agacharse, doblarse y levantar objetos por períodos prolongados.Comodidad trabajando en un entorno de manufactura con exposición a ruido y maquinaria.Capacidad para levantar y mover objetos que pesen hasta 50 libras con frecuencia.Horario de Trabajo:Este puesto comienza con un horario diurno durante el período de capacitación. Al completar con éxito la capacitación, el empleado pasará a un turno PM (vespertino/nocturno). Durante la capacitación, el empleado aprenderá las habilidades y responsabilidades necesarias, y una vez completamente capacitado, trabajará en el turno PM como función principal.Benefits and PerksMatching 401kHealth, Dental & Vision InsurancePaid Time OffPaid Sick LeavePaid BirthdayPaid HolidaysNow you don’t have to scramble for opportunities. Crack open the possibilities & Apply today!Hickman's Family Farms and its brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer of all qualified individuals, including minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities. Hickman's Family Farms will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all federal, state, and local ordinances. You are applying for a position with Hickman’s Family Farms that is designated as a Safety Sensitive Position pursuant to A.R.S. §23-493 et seq. You are ineligible for placement in a Safety Sensitive Position if you are engaged in the current use of any drug, whether legal, prescribed by a physician or otherwise, if it could cause an impairment or otherwise decrease or lessen your job performance or ability to perform your job duties.Hickman’s classified this position as a safety-sensitive job because it reasonably believes that performing the tasks or duties described herein could affect the health or safety of employees. Thus, employee must further agree to comply with all workplace safety policies, especially Hickman’s drug and alcohol testing policy. Employee must understand that a positive drug test for prohibited substances, whether legal or otherwise, or employee's refusal to submit to a drug test may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.