Production Operator

H & T Kansas; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

H & T Kansas is hiring a Production Operator to work 12-hour shifts on a rotating schedule: day shift from 5:30am to 5:30pm or night shift from 5:30pm to 5:30am, with three days on and four days off, and alternating with four days on and three days off.

You will operate and support production and inspection equipment, perform visual inspections, troubleshoot basic issues, monitor alarms, document downtime and quality data, and maintain a clean, safe work environment on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required and at least 2 years in manufacturing with visual inspection and measurement systems.
• Experience with SPC is a plus and helpful for quality monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Operate production and inspection equipment to support safe, efficient manufacturing.
• Conduct visual product inspections and document results.
• Monitor machine alarms, perform basic troubleshooting, and escalate issues as needed.
• Maintain accurate downtime, reject rates, and production data in logs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Teamwork

Time management

Integrity

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Cupper

Redraw Presses

Conveyor systems

Loaders

Quality Inspection units

Job description

Description

This position requires working 12-hour shifts from 5:30am to 5:30pm for the day shift OR 5:30pm to 5:30am for the night shift, following a rotating schedule of three days on and four days off, alternating with four days on and three days off.

• you will enjoy every other weekend off, providing a well-balanced schedule.
• We offer a premium shift differential of 10% for all nighttime hours, ensuring your dedication is both recognized and rewarded.
• Overtime pay is provided at a rate of one and one-half times the regular hourly rate for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek, in accordance with federal and state labor laws.

The Role and Responsibilities

As a Production Operator, you play a vital role in supporting safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing operations. You are responsible for operating ancillary and inspection equipment, conducting visual product inspections, performing basic troubleshooting, and ensuring seamless production flow on the shop floor. Through proactive monitoring of machine alarms, execution of reaction plans, and adherence to established standards, you help minimize downtime, reduce defects, and maintain consistent production output. Your attention to detail, accurate documentation, and effective communication during shift transitions ensure operational continuity. By following company policies and safety standards while collaborating with team members, you contribute directly to achieving production goals and maintaining high product quality in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Your Key Areas of Impact

Equipment & Machine Operations: You operate and support production and inspection equipment, including Cupper and Redraw Presses, Conveyor systems, Loaders, and Quality Inspection units within designated zones, ensuring adherence to SOPs and TPM procedures. By responding promptly to machine alarms, clearing cascade jams, executing reaction plans, performing basic troubleshooting and minor repairs, and escalating complex issues, when necessary, you minimize downtime and maintain consistent production flow. Your ability to manage material movement and keep equipment functioning efficiently directly supports output targets, reduces operational disruptions, and improves overall equipment effectiveness.

Quality Assurance & Inspection: You maintain product integrity by conducting thorough visual inspections, monitoring reject rates, removing defective products before final stacking, and executing containment or reaction plans when required. By identifying trends, supporting root cause analysis, and ensuring adherence to documented quality standards, you reduce defects and prevent nonconforming product from reaching customers. Your attention to detail and commitment to quality strengthens customer satisfaction, protects the company's reputation, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance overall production performance.

Documentation & Communication: You ensure operational transparency and accountability by accurately documenting downtime, reject rates, machine performance, and inspection findings in required logs and systems. Through clear communication during shift changeovers and collaboration with supervisors and team members, you promote seamless transitions and alignment on production priorities. Your thorough record-keeping and proactive information sharing provides valuable data for trend analysis, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement, ultimately supporting efficiency, consistency, and sustained operational success.

Housekeeping, Material Handling & Compliance: You maintain a clean, safe, and organized production environment by performing routine housekeeping of equipment and work areas, operating forklifts and RICO equipment to manage scrap and materials and adhering to hazardous waste labeling and environmental requirements. By properly handling materials, replacing lubricant barrels, and following all health, safety, and environmental policies, you reduce workplace hazards and ensure regulatory compliance. Your commitment to safety and organization enhances operational efficiency, minimizes risk, and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the production floor.

Requirements

You've received your high school diploma and have at least two (2) years of experience in a manufacturing environment where you may have utilized visual product inspection and measurement systems to ensure products meet required specifications. Experience with statistical process control (SPC) is considered an asset. You demonstrate strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment. You operate with a high level of integrity, confidentiality, organization, and time management, consistently supporting quality and production standards.

The Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Travel

Your work is conducted primarily in a dynamic manufacturing setting, requiring flexibility to work in both office and production floor environments, where exposure to noise and fumes is common, necessitating the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to safety protocols. You must be able to remain in a stationary position 70% of the time, whether standing or sitting, and be able to move about inside the facility. Your work requires manual dexterity, as you will regularly use hands to operate machinery, tools, or controls, and handle or manipulate objects. You must have clear visual acuity for both close-up work and monitoring processes from a distance, as well as for identifying and distinguishing colors. The ability to hear and discern various sounds and alarms is crucial for maintaining safety and operational efficiency. You may operate a computer 20% of the time. You need to be able to lift to 35 lbs.