Utility Operator

BlueScope; South Dakota; On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

BlueScope is seeking a Utility Operator to cover multiple roles on the paint line, ensuring continuous operation and minimal downtime due to vacations or absences.

The role requires cross-training across material handling and operator duties, plus leadership on the shift to support the production team and align with safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED.
• 2+ years manufacturing operating experience.
• Experience cross-training across multiple roles or machines.
• Knowledge of basic hand and power tools.

Responsibilities

• Cross-train across material handler and operator roles to support continuous paint line operation.
• Operate an overhead crane and drive a forklift.
• Serve as primary coverage for planned and unplanned absences to minimize downtime.
• Transition quickly between roles based on production needs and supervisor direction.
• Act as a lead resource on shift, guiding operators and handlers as needed.
• Understand coil defects and required actions at the finish coater.
• Adhere to Quality and Environmental Management System principles.
• Communicate with Production and Quality Control to resolve issues and meet goals.
• Participate in continuous improvement focused on safety, quality, productivity, and reliability.

Skills

Cross-training

Forklift

Overhead crane

Team leadership

Safety awareness

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Basic hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Company Description

BlueScope Coated Products is one of the largest coil coating companies in the United States, with facilities across the country. With more than four decades of expertise providing painted metal coils and toll processing services for industries in the construction and consumer product markets, we pride ourselves on delivering premium quality, reliable service, and ongoing innovation to our customers.

The Utility Operator will be responsible forcoveringmultiple roles on thepaintlineto maintain operation and avoid stopping for breakscaused by vacations and call-offs. The Utility Operator is the Production Supervisor’s second in commandand is expected to cross-train across all material handler and operator rolesto support continuous paint line operation.The Utility Operator is also expected to provide leadership and support to the broader teamas a support to the leadership team.

Key Focus Areas

• Cross-train across all material handler and operator rolesto support continuous paint line operation

• Competent at operating an overhead crane and driving a forklift

• Serves as primary operational coverage for planned and unplanned absences to minimize paint line downtime

• Quickly transitions between roles based on production needs, staffing levels, and supervisor direction.

• Acts as a lead resource on shift, providing guidance, coaching, and informal direction to operators and material handlers as needed.

• Understand the different coil defects and what action is required if it is observed at the finish coater.

• Responsible for understanding and complying with the fundamental principles associated with the Quality and Environmental Management System in place at BlueScope

• Communicates daily with internal personnel from Production and Quality Control to assist in resolving problems and achieving company goals

• Participates in continuous improvement activities focused on safety, quality, productivity, and reliability of the paint line.

Foundational Experience

Required Qualifications & Experience

To be considered for this position, you must possess the following qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED)

• 2+ years manufacturing operating experience

• Prior experience in a manufacturing or production environment with demonstrated success in cross‑training across multiple roles or machines.

• Knowledge of basic hand and power tools

Desired Qualifications

To be considered an ideal candidate, you should possess some or all of the following qualifications:

• Metals, coating, roll forming or industrial manufacturing experience

• Previous experience serving as a utility, back-up, relief, or floater operator supporting multiple production roles.

Skills and Abilities

• Promotes teamwork, accountability, and positive communication during normal operations and upset conditions.

• Basic computer skills

• Time Management – prioritizing work to meet internal and/or external customer demands

• Good communication skills

• Mobile equipment operations skills

• Ability to read and comprehend written materials such as schedules, SOPs, work rules, etc.

• Ability to work up to 12-hour shifts

• Ability to pass a background check and drug test as a condition of employment

Work Environment

The employee maybe requiredto enter areas that are near moving mechanical parts, with occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals, and extreme cold or heat. The noise level in the work environment is consideredmoderate andmay require the use of hearing protection. The employee willbe requiredtoutilizePersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) when accessing certain manufacturing areas.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand; sit; bend; stoop; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee will be required to be capable of lifting a minimum weight of 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close-up and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Additional Information

The preceding job responsibilities and tasks were designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job duties and responsibilities required of associates assigned to this job. Associates may be required to perform other duties as assigned. Additional job competencies, individual goals, and performance measurements are set at the department level.

The benefits are just as rewarding as the work at BlueScope. To support our goal, we offer a total compensation plan and an outstanding benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability, paid time off, and retirement.

EEO: Employer/M/F/Disabled/Protected Veteran

BlueScope is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status, as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.