Production Operator

H & T Kansas • De Soto, KS

just now • Onsite

About The Position

The Role and Responsibilities
As a Production Operator, you play a vital role in supporting safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing operations. You are responsible for operating ancillary and inspection equipment, conducting visual product inspections, performing basic troubleshooting, and ensuring seamless production flow on the shop floor. Through proactive monitoring of machine alarms, execution of reaction plans, and adherence to established standards, you help minimize downtime, reduce defects, and maintain consistent production output. Your attention to detail, accurate documentation, and effective communication during shift transitions ensure operational continuity. By following company policies and safety standards while collaborating with team members, you contribute directly to achieving production goals and maintaining high product quality in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Your Key Areas of Impact
Equipment & Machine Operations: You operate and support production and inspection equipment, including Cupper and Redraw Presses, Conveyor systems, Loaders, and Quality Inspection units within designated zones, ensuring adherence to SOPs and TPM procedures. By responding promptly to machine alarms, clearing cascade jams, executing reaction plans, performing basic troubleshooting and minor repairs, and escalating complex issues, when necessary, you minimize downtime and maintain consistent production flow. Your ability to manage material movement and keep equipment functioning efficiently directly supports output targets, reduces operational disruptions, and improves overall equipment effectiveness.

Quality Assurance & Inspection: You maintain product integrity by conducting thorough visual inspections, monitoring reject rates, removing defective products before final stacking, and executing containment or reaction plans when required. By identifying trends, supporting root cause analysis, and ensuring adherence to documented quality standards, you reduce defects and prevent nonconforming product from reaching customers. Your attention to detail and commitment to quality strengthens customer satisfaction, protects the company’s reputation, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance overall production performance.

Documentation & Communication: You ensure operational transparency and accountability by accurately documenting downtime, reject rates, machine performance, and inspection findings in required logs and systems. Through clear communication during shift changeovers and collaboration with supervisors and team members, you promote seamless transitions and alignment on production priorities. Your thorough record-keeping and proactive information sharing provides valuable data for trend analysis, informed decision-making, and continuous improvement, ultimately supporting efficiency, consistency, and sustained operational success.

Housekeeping, Material Handling & Compliance: You maintain a clean, safe, and organized production environment by performing routine housekeeping of equipment and work areas, operating forklifts and RICO equipment to manage scrap and materials and adhering to hazardous waste labeling and environmental requirements. By properly handling materials, replacing lubricant barrels, and following all health, safety, and environmental policies, you reduce workplace hazards and ensure regulatory compliance. Your commitment to safety and organization enhances operational efficiency, minimizes risk, and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the production floor.

Requirements

• High school diploma
• At least two (2) years of experience in a manufacturing environment where you may have utilized visual product inspection and measurement systems to ensure products meet required specifications
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Operate with a high level of integrity, confidentiality, organization, and time management
• Consistently supporting quality and production standards

Nice To Haves

• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Operating ancillary and inspection equipment
• Conducting visual product inspections
• Performing basic troubleshooting
• Ensuring seamless production flow on the shop floor
• Proactive monitoring of machine alarms
• Execution of reaction plans
• Adherence to established standards
• Operating and supporting production and inspection equipment
• Responding promptly to machine alarms
• Clearing cascade jams
• Executing reaction plans
• Performing basic troubleshooting and minor repairs
• Escalating complex issues
• Managing material movement
• Maintaining product integrity by conducting thorough visual inspections
• Monitoring reject rates
• Removing defective products before final stacking
• Executing containment or reaction plans
• Identifying trends
• Supporting root cause analysis
• Ensuring adherence to documented quality standards
• Accurately documenting downtime, reject rates, machine performance, and inspection findings in required logs and systems
• Communicating during shift changeovers
• Collaborating with supervisors and team members
• Performing routine housekeeping of equipment and work areas
• Operating forklifts and RICO equipment to manage scrap and materials
• Adhering to hazardous waste labeling and environmental requirements
• Properly handling materials
• Replacing lubricant barrels
• Following all health, safety, and environmental policies

What This Job Offers

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