Coater Machine Operator - 3rd Shift

ITW • Kalkaska - 49646, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Coater operators safely set up, troubleshoot, adjust, and operate coating machinery and related equipment to produce ink-coated jumbo rolls of polyester film according to product specifications. The role also includes quality testing, material handling, and data entry. This is a third-shift position scheduled Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Starting pay is $24.75 per hour, including the shift premium. A $2,500 sign-on bonus is paid in installments: $250 at hire, $500 at each of 3, 6, and 9 months, and $750 after one year of employment.

The position involves cleaning machinery between production runs, handling inks and solvents, operating quality-testing equipment, and using computer equipment to prepare production documentation and labels. Operators may need to mix ink or paint, cross-train on coating equipment in other teams, and assist other coater operators. The role requires confined-space entry and machine-specific Authorized Lockout/Tagout duties.

The employer offers a safety-first, climate-controlled work environment and opportunities for pay and skill advancement through its operator-level program. Coding Products in Kalkaska, Michigan, is part of ITW Specialty Films, which manufactures specialized coated films for secure ID, medical specialty bag, and financial card markets.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to work overtime or a flexible shift.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements, including frequent standing and walking; frequent use of the upper extremities to handle, manipulate, lift, carry, and reach; occasional bending, squatting, and climbing; crawling; lifting up to 50 pounds; visually identifying product quality defects; and entering confined spaces.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety shoes, safety glasses, company-provided uniform, chemical gloves, face shield, and safety harness.
• Candidates selected for employment must pass a post-offer drug screen and background check.

Nice To Haves

• Basic computer and keyboarding experience, including data entry and lookups.
• Prior applicable manufacturing experience.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Stable employment history, a positive and collaborative attitude, a desire to learn, and a demonstrated ability to work safely while producing a quality product.

Responsibilities

• Safely set up, troubleshoot, adjust, and operate coating machinery and related equipment to produce ink-coated jumbo rolls of polyester film to product specifications.
• Start and stop the machine using its control panel.
• Align or fasten machine parts, including rollers and blades, using hand tools.
• Thread or feed polyester through rollers and adjust machine or product temperature, speed, and flow rate.
• Observe the machine and product for defects or deviations from specifications and make adjustments as needed.
• Measure or mix specified quantities of substances to achieve the correct ink thickness; may mix ink or paint for the coater.
• Examine, measure, weigh, or test products for conformance to specifications; follow testing procedures and operate quality-testing equipment.
• Make pass/fail quality decisions and consult supervisors or technical staff about questionable items as needed.
• Clean the machine and parts between production runs, sometimes several times per shift.
• Perform required confined-space entry and machine-specific Authorized Lockout/Tagout duties.
• Load, unload, pack, and transport products and machine parts using carts and a Big-Joe.
• Move 55-gallon drums or 210-gallon totes of ink using barrel carts or pallet jacks.
• Use computer equipment to print production run sheets and labels and to perform quality-assurance testing.
• Follow hazardous-material handling requirements when working with solvents.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of product codes, the color numbering system, formulas, thinning solvents, and the jumbo tag system.
• Cross-train on coating equipment in other teams and assist other coater operators as needed.

Benefits

• $2,500 sign-on bonus, paid in installments.
• Competitively priced medical plan options.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) plans.
• Dental insurance.
• Prescription drug coverage.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Life insurance.
• Wellness programs.
• Employee discounts.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Vacation and sick time starting in the year of hire.
• Corporate matching gift program for charitable donations.
• Safety-first culture and climate-controlled work environment.
• Opportunity for pay and skill advancement through the operator-level program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED