Plastics Technician-2nd Shift

Newell Brands•Wichita, KS

About The Position

The Plastics Technician is responsible for machine setup, preventive maintenance, and supporting the Wichita plastics production process. The role coordinates activities and provides leadership across assigned plastics areas, helping direct workers and monitor machine operations to ensure efficient production. The technician works independently, supports production goals, maintains quality and output, and trains and cross-trains team members. The position includes machine programming, setup and calibration; product and color changes; maintenance and troubleshooting of machines, molds, tooling, and material-handling systems; and documentation of work, parts usage, mold changes, and machine adjustments. The technician also assigns work as directed by supervision, monitors production schedules and machine performance, and reports irregular conditions and maintenance needs. The role provides instruction and training to employees and contingent workforce employees. It requires compliance with safety, housekeeping, and company procedures, as well as participation in continuous improvement and fire-prevention training. The position is assigned to the second shift and requires the ability to work weekend shifts and overtime as needed.

Requirements

Excellent troubleshooting skills and the ability to troubleshoot machinery.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Ability to work a weekend shift and overtime as needed.
Ability to perform all listed duties without assistance, except set work requiring more than one person.
Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
One-year certificate from a college or technical school; or three to six months of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read and comprehend basic instructions presented in English.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Forklift license, CPR certificate, and Lockout/Tagout qualification.
Ability to regularly stand, walk, and talk or hear; frequently use hands and fingers and reach; and occasionally sit and climb or balance.
Ability to frequently lift or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 75 pounds.
Close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Ability to work around moving mechanical parts and occasional high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather, electrical-shock risk, vibration, and usually loud noise.
Use of required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, hearing protection, armguards, and gloves when handling products, tools, and equipment.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of experience in the area to be overseen.

Responsibilities

Observe safety policies and procedures and maintain a clean, orderly workstation.
Ensure operators are trained on machine-specific job safety analyses and personal protective equipment.
Set up, program, and calibrate machines and equipment to meet part specifications.
Complete product setups, including molds, fixtures, nozzles, end-of-arm tooling, plugs, and automation as required.
Perform color and component changes and follow production notes for setups, components, and colors.
Monitor machine output, overall equipment effectiveness, cycle time, production parameters, centerlines, and quality expectations.
Troubleshoot machinery and production processes, identify machine faults and production-rate errors, and help maintain efficient production flow.
Perform preventive maintenance on machines, molds, and inserts, and carry out minor repairs and tooling or equipment disassembly and reassembly.
Use hand tools to replace or adjust machine components, pneumatic parts, core pins, vacuum brake components, filters, blow needles, linear actuators, water lines, air lines, and fittings.
Monitor and maintain material-handling and material-management systems.
Document daily work, parts consumed from MRO, mold changes, machine adjustments, and other required information.
Inspect parts to ensure consistent quality standards and remain accountable for first-pass yield.
Plan and issue work assignments as instructed by supervision and prioritize assignments and machine schedules based on production needs.
Provide direction to operators and troubleshoot production issues to maintain smooth production and product shipments.
Train Mold Machine Assistants, Assistant Leads, and Plastics Leads; lead training and cross-training initiatives.
Report irregular conditions, including procedural noncompliance, equipment failures, production slowdowns or stops, and maintenance needs.
Initiate requisitions for materials and supplies and assist with job estimates and recommendations.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, fire mitigation training, and fire-prevention and extinguisher training.
Follow company and departmental procedures, support team and technical-team objectives, and perform other duties as assigned.