Sr. Machine Operator

Amcor; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid time off

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Amcor is seeking a Senior Machine Operator to lead advanced operation and troubleshooting of plastic film and bag production. This role acts as a technical resource, driving training, problem-solving, and process consistency across shifts.

You will identify equipment, quality, and safety opportunities to improve yields, reduce scrap, and maintain performance while upholding GMP and HACCP standards.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• 2–3 years of machine operator experience in extrusion or similar manufacturing.
• Ability to independently run and troubleshoot production equipment.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, adjust, and optimize extrusion, air rings, printing, and downstream equipment.
• Model and reinforce safety behaviors; perform daily inspections.
• Perform quality checks and mentor operators on spec compliance; reduce scrap.
• Lead efficient changeovers and equipment startups to reduce downtime and improve yields.
• Diagnose complex equipment issues and assist maintenance with root cause identification.
• Train and support new Machine Operators and Packers.

Skills

Independent operator

Troubleshooting

Safety awareness

Mentoring

Problem-solving

Quality focus

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Extruders

Air rings

Printers

Dies

Changeover procedures

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Machine Operator is an experienced production professional responsible for advanced operation, setup, optimization, and troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment producing plastic film and bag products. In addition to all core Machine Operator duties, this role serves as a technical resource and informal leader on the production floor by supporting training, problem-solving, and process consistency. Senior Machine Operators are expected to operate with a higher degree of independence, urgency, and ownership, proactively identifying equipment, quality, and safety opportunities that improve yields, reduce scrap, and maintain consistent production performance. This position supports compliance with all safety, GMP, and HACCP standards while reinforcing best practices across shifts.

The Senior Machine Operator is an experienced production professional responsible for advanced operation, setup, optimization, and troubleshooting of manufacturing equipment producing plastic film and bag products. In addition to all core Machine Operator duties, this role serves as a technical resource and informal leader on the production floor by supporting training, problem-solving, and process consistency. Senior Machine Operators are expected to operate with a higher degree of independence, urgency, and ownership, proactively identifying equipment, quality, and safety opportunities that improve yields, reduce scrap, and maintain consistent production performance. This position supports compliance with all safety, GMP, and HACCP standards while reinforcing best practices across shifts.

Accountabilities

• Advanced Equipment Operation – Set up, operate, adjust, and optimize extrusion, air, ring, printing, and downstream equipment to meet production and quality targets.
• Safety Leadership – Actively model and reinforce safety behaviors; perform daily inspections and correct unsafe conditions. Support investigations and corrective actions related to safety incident s and near-misses.
• Quality Oversight - Perform and validate quality checks, troubleshoot repeat defects, and mentor operators on specification compliance. Reduce scrap through proactive equipment adjustments and standardized setups.
• Production Efficiency – Lead efficient changeovers and equipment startups. Identify and implement improvement opportunities to reduce downtime and improve yields.
• Advanced Troubleshooting and Maintenance Support – Diagnose complex equipment issues and assist maintenance with root cause identification. Perform screen changes, die cleaning, printer rebuilds, and other advanced tasks independently when trained.
• Training and Mentorship – Train and support new and developing Machine Operators and Packers.
• Collaboration and Communication – Communicate effectively across shifts and departments, including maintenance, QA, and supervision.
• Housekeeping and Line Shutdown – Ensure proper shutdown procedures and uphold high standards of housekeeping.

Qualifications/Requirements

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of Machine Operator experience in extrusion or similar manufacturing
• Demonstrated ability to independently run and troubleshoot production equipment

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Behaviors

• Knowledge: Advanced understanding of plastic film and bag manufacturing processes; strong knowledge of extruders, air rings, printers, dies, and changeover procedures; thorough understanding of safety, GMP, and HACCP requirements
• Skills: Advanced mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving; proficient with hand tools, measuring instruments, and production systems; ability to read and interpret work orders, specs, and SOPs; forklift operation (licensed or able to become licensed)
• Abilities: Lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted; push/pull up to 100 lbs.; perform repetitive physical motions including bending, climbing, kneeling, and twisting; work safely around moving machinery and electricity to Train, coach, and influence peers positively
• Behaviors: Safety-first mindset; Quality- and results-driven; calm under pressure; adaptable to changing priorities o Team-oriented with leadership presence

Other Information

• Physical Demands: Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted and push or pull up to 100 lbs. Frequent physical activities include reaching, climbing, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, bending, and twisting for up to 66% of the work shift. Require working around moving machinery and electricity, demanding high safety awareness and proper use of PPE.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in a manufacturing setting with loud noise levels and exposure to moving equipment. Employees must wear hearing, eye, and toe protection, and additional PPE as required. Environment involves changing priorities, time pressures, and constraints, contributing to a fast-paced atmosphere.
• Stress Factors: o High job-related stress due to tight production schedules, changing priorities, and quality compliance requirements. o Need for constant vigilance around machinery and adherence to safety protocols adds to mental and physical demands.

Our Expectations

• Our people are engaged and developing as part of a high-performing Amcor team
• Our customers grow and prosper from Amcor's quality, service, and innovation
• Our investors benefit from Amcor's consistent growth and superior returns
• The environment is better off because of Amcor's leadership and products

Accelerate the possible by joining a winning Amcor team that’s transforming the packaging industry and improving lives around the world.

At Amcor, we unpack possibility through our innovative and responsible packaging to provide solutions that benefit our customers, our people and our planet. More than 10,000 consumers worldwide encounter our products every second and rely on us for safe access to food, medicine and other goods. We value their trust by making safety our guiding principle. It's our core value and integral to how we do business.

Beyond this core principle, our shared values and behaviors unite us as we work together to elevate customers, shape lives and protect the future. We champion our customers and help them succeed. We play to win - adapting quickly in an everchanging world - and make smart choices to safeguard our business, our communities and the people we serve for generations to come. And we invest in our world-class team, empowering our colleagues to unpack their potential, because we believe when our people grow, so does our business.

To learn more about playing for Team Amcor, visit www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Glassdoor I Facebook I YouTube

Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

Amcor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click on the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" Poster. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call 224-313-7000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans
• Paid time off, starting at 40 hours per year for full-time hourly employees, may vary by location
• Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
• Wellbeing programs & Employee Assistance Program
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
• Discretionary bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)