Production Operator (Entry Level)

Job Summary

The Production Operator supports daily operations in a plastics recycling facility processing Nylon 6/66, PET, and HDPE materials. This is an entry-level, hands-on role focused on sorting, material handling, machine feeding, quality checks, and maintaining a safe and clean production environment. Most processes are manually operated, requiring attention to detail, physical stamina, and a strong commitment to safety and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Sort and separate plastic materials (Nylon, PET, HDPE) according to type, color, and contamination level
• Feed materials into screeners, blenders, box dumpers, dryers, and extrusion equipment
• Assist with start-up and shutdown of recycling machinery under supervisor guidance
• Monitor material flow and report blockages, jams, or unusual machine behavior
• Remove contaminants (metal, labels, foreign materials) from feedstock
• Collect, bag, label, and move finished flakes, regrind, or pellets
• Perform visual quality inspections of incoming and processed materials
• Keep workstations, floors, and equipment clean (housekeeping / 5S practices)
• Record basic production data such as quantities processed and downtime
• Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout awareness and proper PPE use
• Support maintenance staff during basic cleaning and preventive maintenance tasks
• Work as part of a team to meet daily production targets