Production Operator-Refining

Hoover & Strong; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off – 14 days

401k with Company Profit Sharing

Company Paid Life Insurance

Performance bonuses

Company paid Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Hoover & Strong in Richmond, Virginia is seeking a dedicated Production Operator who will manage raw materials in a manufacturing environment. This role involves smelting, organizing customer materials, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Ideal candidates will possess a high school diploma and have a passion for working in a dynamic, team-oriented setting.

Benefits include 14 days paid time off, holidays, 401k eligibility with profit sharing, medical and dental plans, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs with or without mechanical aids.
• Prior manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Smelt material in a high-temperature furnace to produce metal bullion.
• Load furnaces with customer scrap lots.
• Organize and segregate customer lots accurately.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to follow safety policies

Ability to work under pressure

Self-motivation

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Production Operator-Refining

Starting Hourly Rate: $20/hour

Hoover & Strong, founded in 1912, is a family‑owned jewelry manufacturer and refiner. We cater to the jewelry industry by producing over 30,000 eco‑friendly and responsibly sourced jewelry products, all made in the USA. Our products and services include jewelry, contract castings, findings, mill products, and eco‑friendly metal refining.

A team of over 90 enthusiastic and dedicated coworkers have created a progressive, family‑oriented work environment that encourages personal growth, the sharing of creative ideas and responsible practices. Our work ethic is strong, and we strive for excellence and innovation in everything that we do. Providing high‑quality products and professional services is our passion and we do it all in a casual, non‑corporate atmosphere with respect and appreciation for one another.

What You Will Be Doing:

We’re looking for someone who’s hands‑on, detail‑focused and ready to work in a manufacturing environment. As a Refining Operator, you’ll be working with raw materials—measuring, grading, and loading raw materials into furnaces and melting equipment. You’ll also help with shipping stuff in and out, keep records straight and stay cool (literally and figuratively) around hot equipment.

Your Day to Day Might Include:

Smelting – 65%

• Required daily to smelt material in a high temperature induction furnace to produce metal bullion
• Expected to maintain dependable attendance and arrive on time for all scheduled shifts
• Cleans, drills and processes bullion for assay testing
• Uses organizational skills to keep customer lots separate throughout the smelting process
• Performs equipment maintenance including furnace and filtration system maintenance
• Communicates with lead to determine status of assigned projects
• Maintains work area in clean, safe, and orderly manner
• Uses proper safety equipment and apparel required for each operation
• Measures and records data with accuracy for input into internal job tracking system including weights and pertinent figures

Sweeps/Loading Dock – 35%

• Loads furnaces daily with customer scrap lots containing towels, gloves, dirt, paper, rags, dust and precious metal
• Runs ball mills to further pulverize debris from customer sweeps lots
• Organizes and segregates customer lots keeping them with designated paperwork
• Weighs, photographs and writes description of customer sweeps lots
• Documents dock inventory accurately
• Operates forklift (can be trained) to receive shipments from outside vendors – unload trucks.
• Prepare outgoing shipments and proper paperwork
• Other duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For:

• Must have a High School Diploma/GED
• Must have the ability to follow all safety policies and help ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA and federal and state requirements.
• Must be able to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment, adapt to change in work demands, and be self‑motivated.
• Must be able to ensure accuracy, accountability, and be detail oriented.
• Prior manufacturing experience is preferred
• May be required to perform specific tasks that involve standing, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, squatting or kneeling
• Must be able to lift with or without mechanical aids on a recurring basis (up to 60 lbs.)
• Work is performed within a production environment, subject to temperature variations, hazardous chemicals, mechanical parts, increased noise levels and dust

Why You’ll Like Working Here:

• Paid Time Off – 14 days (pro‑rated first year)
• Nine paid holidays
• Eligibility for 401k, with Company Profit Sharing contributions
• Company contribution to your Medical and Dental plans
• Company paid Life Insurance
• Voluntary Vision and Supplemental Insurance Available
• Company paid Tuition Reimbursement for qualified courses
• Performance bonuses and Spot Awards
• Monthly luncheons, cookouts and other fun activities
• Days Only – No Shift Work

Hoover & Strong, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.