Compounding Operator | 3rd Shift

Shaw Industries•Bainbridge, GA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Shaw Industries is looking for a Compounding Operator to operate all compounding extrusion systems and PET processing equipment, at posted process specifications while insuring quality color products meet requirements. The role involves ensuring finished products are free of contamination and consistently meet quality standards for color shade, pellet form, and size. The operator will record operating conditions, perform screen pack changes, verify additive blends, and manage raw material supply. Responsibilities include calibrating equipment, monitoring critical functions, performing color changes, cleaning equipment, and troubleshooting processing issues. Minor mechanical repairs, such as clearing pipes and replacing blades, may also be required. The operator must adhere to all safety procedures, including lock-out/tag-out, and maintain a safe and clean work area. Compliance with Shaw Management System (SMS) and S.A.F.E. System procedures is mandatory. The role requires working scheduled days and overtime as needed, and assisting other associates as required.

Requirements

Must successfully complete Lift Truck Operator certification.
Must possess good interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Must be able to work holidays, weekends, and overtime, as required.
Must be able to sit, walk, stand, bend, stoop, squat, lift, carry, climb, and reach, as required.
Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, as required.
Must be able to ascend and descend stairs/ladders, as required.
Must be able to operate a hoist, as required.
Must be able to push pallet jacks loaded weighing up to 1,800 pounds, as required.
Must be able to work with hands over head, as required.
Must perform any other job duties as assigned by supervision.
Must attend a one (1) day orientation training session familiarizing new associate with the Plant and basic procedures.
Must attend Quality/Safety training as required.
Must participate in an on the job training session familiarizing the new associate with their job duties.
Responsible for safety equipment issued including safety glasses, earplugs, and safety vest.
Responsible for equipment, materials, and supplies necessary to perform assigned tasks.
Must maintain a safe and clean work area at all times.
Must report any unsafe conditions to supervision.
Must report all accidents no matter how slight to supervision immediately.
Must wear personal protective equipment as required while on the job.
Must comply with all plant and department safety rules and regulations.
Must wear safety required shoes.

Responsibilities

Operate all compounding extrusion systems and PET processing equipment at posted process specifications.
Ensure quality color products meet requirements, including correct color shade, pellet form, and size.
Ensure finished product is free of contamination.
Review status of work in progress with the off-going Compounding Operator.
Record operating conditions at the start of the shift, every hour, and any time conditions change or during start-up.
Perform screen pack change procedures as required to keep extruder back pressure within process specification tolerances.
Ensure correct additives are blended per the premix and check container labels.
Verify the color of pigment against labeling and the premix sheet, notifying management of any discrepancies.
Ensure all additives are blended at the correct percentages with the online blender and enter these percentages into the blender.
Ensure a constant supply of raw material to all blender weigh hoppers.
Enter weigh hopper presets into the blender control computer.
Determine and install correct gearbox/auger/sleeve combinations for each weigh hopper at product change.
Calibrate weigh hoppers at every product change of each shift.
Monitor all blender critical functions and record on operating conditions form and color batch verification form as required.
Perform color change procedures as required.
Save all remaining material from previous batch for recycling, package, and deliver to Color Compounding Tech Assistant.
Clean and prepare the online blender for upcoming color batches.
Determine the amount of purging necessary for color batch transitions to minimize waste and prevent contamination.
Purge compound line.
Disassemble Rotex screener, clean all pellets and dust from pelletizing system components and material handling components, and reassemble.
Set pelletizer blades.
Ensure downstream equipment is ready to receive product before any product transfer is initiated.
Restart compound line.
Maintain accurate records of all downtime, including cause, result, and total time.
Assist in color changes on other lines other than the ones being operated.
Perform pellet count test as required.
Maintain pellet size within process specification by means of SPC pre-control pellet charting.
Troubleshoot processing problems as required.
Perform minor mechanical repair work as needed, such as clearing stopped water pipes, removing wraps from cutter hubs, and replacing worn blades.
Verify equipment settings are correct per posted process specification sheet.
Change out quench bath water on strand lines and add de-foamer as needed.
Notify management immediately of any mistakes, unexpected occurrences, equipment malfunctions, and the creation of or discovery of nonconforming material.
Follow the Control of Nonconforming Product Handling for disposition of nonconforming product.
Maintain all equipment in a safe, operable condition.
Operate lift truck as required and perform lift truck checklist.
Change lift truck battery as required.
Adhere to all lock out/tag out procedures.
Perform housekeeping in the production area, concentrate warehouse, and rail siding as required.
Comply with procedures found in Shaw Management System (SMS).
Perform all job duties using safe work methods.
Comply with Corporate Absenteeism and Tardiness Policy.
Comply with S.A.F.E. System procedures.
Work normally scheduled days adhering to starting and stopping times.
Work overtime as required.
Assist Color Plant associates, as needed.