Production Technician

Location:

Halifax, Elland, HX5 9JP

Working Pattern:
Full-time, On-site, continental shift - four on, four off, 7am to 7pm

Are you a plastics processing technician who takes pride in getting a line running right first time, enjoys getting to the bottom of a process problem, and wants a clear, published route to the next grade rather than a vague promise of progression?

As a Production Technician at A-SAFE, you'll be the person who makes sure our production lines start correctly, run to condition and keep running through the shift. This is a hands-on process role where your judgement directly affects quality, scrap and output on products used to protect people in industrial environments worldwide.

You’ll work as part of a close shift team alongside operatives, maintenance, quality and process engineering, setting up injection moulding machines and extrusion lines to the required conditions and troubleshooting issues as they arise. This is not a maintenance role and it is not machine operating - it is the technical judgement in between.

• You'll start up and monitor injection moulding machines and extrusion lines, setting them to the specified conditions with as little scrap as possible.
• You'll troubleshoot process issues as they arise, working out the cause and putting it right, and escalating to your team leader where a decision needs to sit with them.
• You'll carry out tool changes and material changes, and set feed systems and tool temperature control units.
• You'll run first-off samples and carry out initial quality checks using the relevant gauges and equipment, interpreting the results and taking corrective action before a process is released.
• You'll optimise processes in line with standard operating procedures, contributing to cycle time and scrap reduction.
• You'll undertake minor reactive maintenance on machinery and tooling, such as oil levels and cleanliness.
• You'll complete and submit production and performance documentation accurately, keeping process records up to date when changes are made.
• You'll take and give a thorough shift handover, so the incoming team knows exactly where things stand against the plan.
• You'll work closely with operatives, supervisors, maintenance, quality and process engineering to keep production moving.
• You'll make sure health and safety guidelines are followed at all times, and that 5S and housekeeping standards are maintained.
• You'll work through a structured training and sign-off programme, building evidence towards the next grade on our technical pay scale.

• Hands-on process experience in either injection moulding or extrusion. You do not need both - most of our team joined with one and learned the other here.
• The ability to start up and run a process unsupervised, following safe working practices.
• Confidence diagnosing and resolving process and tooling faults, and knowing when to elevate.
• Experience of tool and material changes, and a working knowledge of process conditions such as material drying and barrel temperatures.
• The ability to interpret technical drawings and work to standard operating procedures.
• A clear understanding of health and safety in a manufacturing environment.
• Happy to work a continental shift pattern - four on, four off, 7am to 7pm.
• Experience across both injection moulding and extrusion is desirable, as is exposure to rotational moulding or PU elastomer processes.
• CNC or robot programming experience is desirable but not essential - it is something you can gain here.
• A certificate within injection moulding, or NVQ Level 3 in mould tools and processes, is desirable.

• Strong communication skills - handovers, sample sign-offs and working with quality and engineering make…