HDPE Extrusion Department -HDPE

ESG Recruitment Limited; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ESG Recruitment Limited is seeking a capable operator to set, monitor and maintain HDPE and metal extrusion lines in our Gauteng factory. You will load materials, adjust die tooling, and ensure process parameters meet specification.

The role requires reading drawings, performing first-off inspections, recording production data and collaborating with Production, Maintenance and Engineering to sustain safety, quality and throughput.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Demonstrated machine-setting and operating competence.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings and production specifications.

Responsibilities

• Set, operate and monitor HDPE and metal extrusion equipment.
• Install, align and change dies, calibrators, mandrels and tooling.
• Set and monitor temperature, pressure, speed, vacuum and other process parameters.
• Prepare and load correct raw materials, including HDPE and metal feedstock.
• Conduct machine changeovers and first-off inspections.
• Monitor product dimensions, wall thickness and surface quality.
• Identify and correct common process, tooling and product defects.
• Troubleshoot production problems and elevate mechanical/electrical faults.
• Operate downstream equipment such as haul-offs, cutters, coilers, shears and straighteners where applicable.
• Conduct quality inspections using approved measuring equipment.
• Complete production, quality, scrap, downtime, tooling and shift-handover records.
• Perform authorised operator maintenance, cleaning and basic machine inspections.
• Maintain tooling and equipment in good condition.
• Comply with all Company Health, Safety, Environmental, PPE, LOTO and SOP requirements.
• Maintain good housekeeping and report unsafe conditions, defects and incidents.
• Work effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance and Engineering teams.

Skills

Machine setting

Reading drawings

Troubleshooting

Quality inspection

Team collaboration

Education

Grade 12 / Senior Certificate

Technical/vocational training

Trade qualification (advantage)

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set, operate and monitor HDPE and metal extrusion equipment.
• Install, align and change dies, calibrators, mandrels, screen packs and other tooling.
• Set and monitor temperature, pressure, speed, vacuum, cooling and other process parameters.
• Prepare and load correct raw materials, including HDPE and metal feedstock.
• Conduct machine changeovers and first-off inspections.
• Monitor product dimensions, wall thickness and surface quality.
• Identify and correct common process, tooling and product defects.
• Troubleshoot production problems and elevate mechanical/electrical faults.
• Operate downstream equipment such as haul-offs, cutters, coilers, shears and straighteners where applicable.
• Conduct quality inspections using approved measuring equipment.
• Complete production, quality, scrap, downtime, tooling and shift-handover records.
• Perform authorised operator maintenance, cleaning and basic machine inspections.
• Maintain tooling and equipment in good condition.
• Comply with all Company Health, Safety, Environmental, PPE, LOTO and SOP requirements.
• Maintain good housekeeping and report unsafe conditions, defects and incidents.
• Work effectively with Production, Quality, Maintenance and Engineering teams.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Grade 12 / Senior Certificate or equivalent.
• Relevant technical/vocational training.
• Demonstrated machine-setting and operating competence.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings and production specifications.
• 1–3 years' relevant experience in machine setting/operation in a manufacturing environment.

Advantageous

• Trade qualification.
• Mechanical/electrical technical qualification.
• Plastics processing or extrusion training.
• HDPE extrusion experience.
• Metal extrusion/drawing experience.
• Relevant safety training.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Candidates should have knowledge of:

• HDPE/plastics extrusion processes;
• Metal extrusion/drawing processes;
• Dies, tooling and machine changeovers;
• Temperature, pressure, speed, cooling and vacuum control;
• Product dimensional and quality inspection;
• Process troubleshooting;
• Production documentation; and
• Safe operation of industrial machinery.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Performance will be measured against applicable departmental targets, including:

• Machine-setting accuracy;
• Production output;
• Product quality;
• Scrap reduction;
• Machine downtime;
• Changeover efficiency;
• Process stability;
• Accurate reporting;
• Tooling and machine care;
• Safety compliance; and SOP adherence.