Extruder Operator

Pratt Industries • Newnan, GA

1d

About The Position

The Extruder Operator safely operates plastics extrusion machinery used to produce bubble-wrap film. The role includes machine setup and operation, loading and verifying resin and additives, monitoring and adjusting extrusion output, completing roll changes, troubleshooting production issues, and performing routine machine upkeep. The operator helps maintain product quality, efficiency, and schedule adherence while minimizing waste and downtime.

The position also involves maintaining a clean and safe work area, completing production, operational, safety, and quality reports, and training or assisting other extrusion machine operators. Operators must follow company safety, GMP, quality, and housekeeping procedures, and may be assigned additional duties by management. Overtime may be required, sometimes on short notice, and work on holidays may be necessary to support year-round customer operations.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Able to read and follow written instructions, including quality, safety, and job-packet instructions.
• Able to read a tape measure quickly and accurately.
• Able to calculate percentages, measurements, volume, and rate, and work with the metric system.
• Able to apply common-sense reasoning to written, oral, or graphic instructions and develop real-time solutions to problems.
• Must obtain and maintain a Pratt Lift Truck Operator License.
• Able to meet the physical demands of the role, including regularly lifting or moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally pushing or pulling product up to 130 pounds with tools or machinery assistance.
• Must be able to work overtime as necessary, sometimes on short notice, and holidays when unavoidable.

Nice To Haves

• Prior work experience in the packaging industry, including paper, plastics, or converting.
• One year of experience working on cast-film extrusion machines.
• Experience with production software such as Vorne.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with flexibility as products and jobs change frequently during a shift.

Responsibilities

• Operate safely and comply with company safety rules and Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Set up extrusion lines that produce bubble-wrap film from resin.
• Load resin, additives, and blends into hoppers and verify material types and ratios.
• Complete or assist with machine roll changes as needed during the shift.
• Monitor machine operation and output, adjusting melt temperatures and pressures, bubble height and inflation, bubble uniformity, and cooling systems as needed.
• Identify and correct machine issues such as bubble breaks, wrinkles, jams, poor clarity, and die lines; report higher-level mechanical concerns through maintenance work orders to the appropriate supervisor, manager, or maintenance staff.
• Perform or proactively arrange machine upkeep, including die cleaning, screen changes, and filter changes.
• Maintain clean work areas and eliminate tripping hazards during the shift; clean the area at the end of the shift.
• Follow quality procedures and prevent poor-quality product from leaving the facility.
• Learn machine capabilities and capacity and improve efficiency while limiting waste and downtime, without sacrificing quality.
• Train and assist other extrusion machine operators with machine duties, downtime, setup times, and quality.
• Complete required production, machine operational status, safety, and quality reports accurately and on time.
• Follow company policies and procedures, including safety and housekeeping requirements.
• Adhere to the production schedule, recommend schedule improvements to meet cost, quality, and service goals, and report unusual scheduling issues to a supervisor.
• Work overtime as necessary and, when unavoidable, work holidays.
• Perform additional duties assigned by management.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• All State
• Pre-Paid Legal
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Childbearing and parental leave

What This Job Offers

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