Machine Operator

Summary

Responsible for all activities associated with safely operating production machines, including setup, operation, cleanup, and recommending improvements to operations to meet customer demand.

• Work safely at all times, be aware of surroundings and comply with Pratt Industries Safety rules, operating procedures, and hold co-workers responsible for safety related items. Participate in the Plant Safety Committee.
• Follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Processes) and Pratt Industries quality procedures and policies. Stop bad quality from leaving the facility to the customer.
• Maximize utilization of equipment at available capacity and speed. Improve setup times and reduce downtime daily. Identify and address mechanical concerns and report to the Production Supervisor, Production Manager or Plant Mechanical Tech/Specialist.
• Housekeeping and cleaning of work areas – keep clean and free of tripping hazards during shift and end-of-shift cleaning. Maintain good housekeeping of employee‑utilized areas such as break rooms, bathrooms, refrigerators, etc.
• Learn and understand machine capability and capacity to drive efficiencies, limiting waste and downtime. Do not sacrifice quality for speed – ensure excellent quality and high efficiencies with minimal downtime.
• Train and assist Assistant Machine Operators, Machine Helpers, and Production Utility with job duties on the machine, downtime, setup times and quality.
• Cross‑train on other machines and learn other positions in the plant.
• Complete necessary reports accurately and timely, including Production Data, Machine Operational Status, Safety Data, and Quality Data.
• Submit maintenance work order requests to supervision for needed repairs. Be proactive in maintenance and housekeeping of equipment.
• Switch duties with co‑workers as necessary. Learn as many job duties as possible to support plant growth and personal/professional growth opportunities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures, including safety and good housekeeping.
• Adhere to the production schedule, make recommendations for optimizing it to meet cost, quality, and service goals. Report unusual scheduling issues to Supervisor.
• Must be able to work overtime as necessary, sometimes on short notice. The customer service demand is 24x7 – 365 days a year; holidays may be required.
• Additional duties may be assigned by management.

High school diploma or GED.

• Prior work experience in the packaging industry – paper, plastics, converting.
• 6 months’ experience in some type of manufacturing operation.

Able to read and follow instructions; quality, safety, and job packets.

Able to read a tape measure with speed and accuracy. Able to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, measurements, volume, and rate. Able to apply concepts of high school math.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or graphic form. Ability to deal with problems involving one or more concrete variables in standardized situations.

May be required to maintain a current Lift Truck Operator License.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and may occasionally be required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, wet and/or humid conditions, and occasionally to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.