Production Tech

Ultra-Poly Corporation•Portland, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Ultra-Poly Corporation is a pioneer in recycling plastics through innovative manufacturing processes. We are a family owned and operated regional business with our corporate headquarters located in Portland PA. Our work culture is supportive and provides opportunities to grow in an environmentally responsible business. We strive to be and employer that you can be proud to be a part of the team. The Production Tech is a hands-on hybrid role responsible for both working as part of the production crew and assisting with the mechanical health of the processing lines. Roughly half of the role is being part of the production crew, and half is wrench-time: troubleshooting, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance on shredders, granulators, extruders, melt filtration systems, elutriation equipment, and material conveying systems. The right candidate helps keep the line running, and knows when to fix a problem at the machine versus escalate it.

Requirements

2+ years of experience in plastics processing, recycling, or comparable heavy industrial manufacturing, including at least 1 years of mechanical maintenance on production equipment.
Working knowledge of extrusion and size-reduction equipment (extruders, shredders, granulators) and the ability to read mechanical drawings and equipment manuals.
Proficiency with hand and power tools, precision measurement (calipers, feeler gauges), rigging, and safe equipment handling.
Basic electrical troubleshooting (480V 3-phase awareness, VFDs, PLC fault reading).
Forklift certification and welding/fabrication skills.
Vocational or technical training in industrial maintenance, mechatronics, or plastics technology.
Solid understanding of LOTO and industrial safety practices.
Ability to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule, lift up to 50 lbs, climb stairs and ladders, and work in a non-climate-controlled plant environment around dust and noise (PPE provided).
High school diploma or GED.
Mechanically Inclined
Great attention to details
Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure
Have a strong work ethic - dependable and demonstrate good attendance
Able to work a 12-hour shift
Need to be able to read, write and understand English
Have a positive attitude and be willing to assist others when needed

Nice To Haves

basic welding a plus

Responsibilities

Execute the production schedule: manage line startups, shutdowns, and product changeovers, including screen changes, die changes, and feedstock transitions between PP and PE runs.
Verify in-process quality checks (melt flow, density, color, contamination) are performed at required intervals and that product conforms to customer specification; quarantine nonconforming material per ISO 9001:2015 procedures.
Complete shift production reporting: throughput, downtime causes, scrap, and material usage; conduct shift-to-shift handoff communication.
Enforce plant safety requirements, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, hot work, and PPE compliance; lead incident reporting and participate in investigations.
Train and develop operators on equipment operation, quality checks, and safe work practices; provide input on performance.
Troubleshoot and repair production equipment, including single- and twin-screw extruders, shredders, grinders/granulators, screen changers and melt filtration systems, elutriation and aspiration systems, pelletizers, dryers, blenders, and pneumatic/mechanical conveying.
May assist with performing preventive maintenance per schedule: screw and barrel inspection, gearbox lubrication and oil changes, heater band and thermocouple replacement, knife/blade changes and gap settings, belt and bearing replacement.
Diagnose electrical and controls issues at a first-line level (motors, sensors, heater zones, VFD faults) and coordinate with maintenance technicians or electricians on complex repairs.
Fabricate or modify basic components as needed (cutting, grinding, basic welding a plus).
Maintain accurate maintenance records and parts usage in the work order system; identify and request critical spares.
Minimize unplanned downtime by anticipating wear items during changeovers and addressing developing issues before failure.