Production Operator

Job Details

Department: Production

Job Title: Production Operator (Laborer)

Work Schedule: 12-hour shifts; Overtime is required.

Starting Pay: $21.15 - 23.37 hr.

Full or Part Time: Full-time only

Reports to: Shift Foreman

Job Summary

The primary responsibility of the Utility / Production Operator is to operate assigned production areas safely and efficiently while supporting continuous plant operations. The Operator must:

• Safely and efficiently fulfill assigned tasks from the Shift Foreman.
• Assist fellow operators as needed to maintain production flow.
• Perform visual quality inspections to ensure the highest product standards.
• Complete daily housekeeping of assigned areas to maintain a safe, organized environment.
• Promptly report any equipment, process, or safety issues to the Shift Foreman.

Safety and quality are the foundation of daily operations — ensuring a hazard-free workplace and consistent production of high-quality wallboard products.

Position Profile — Essential Competencies

To be successful in this position, candidates must demonstrate the following:

• Ability to keep pace in a steady, production-driven environment.
• Multi-tasking across a variety of work assignments and areas.
• Maintaining indoor and outdoor work areas’ appearance and safety.
• Capability to perform special projects such as painting and grounds upkeep (lawns, roads, etc.).
• Physical and mental adaptability to varying demands and job functions.
• Willingness to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to learn and safely operate mobile equipment (forklift, sweeper, man-lift, scissor lift).
• Comfort performing repetitive tasks and spending the majority of the day on your feet.
• Eagerness to learn and grow into an excellent operator.

Key Responsibilities

Safety

• This role is safety sensitive due to routine work around moving, automatic, and mobile equipment.
• Operate in a safe manner at all times, following all plant and departmental safety rules and procedures.
• Perform mobile equipment safety inspections and understand proper lock-out/tag-out procedures for assigned equipment.
• Participate in weekly safety meetings and job-specific safety reviews.
• Understand and follow Job Safety Analyses (JSA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS), and all safe work practices.
• Consistently wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, hard hat, hearing protection, and safety footwear; use face shields or respirators when tasks require.

Operations & Production Support

• Follow all production area safe operating procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Properly store tools and materials such as brooms, shovels, and trash containers to keep work areas hazard-free.
• Safely start, stop, monitor, and test all assigned production equipment.
• Operate and support wallboard loading, shipping, reclaim, and transfer equipment.
• Assist with maintaining plant grounds (mowing, weeding, trash removal, painting, and general upkeep).
• Perform basic repairs to facilitate uninterrupted production when safe and appropriate.
• Complete routine housekeeping and custodial duties to maintain cleanliness and safety.
• Contribute daily production and safety reports and document special projects or incidents.

Teamwork & Flexibility

• Assist in other areas or job functions when the plant is short-handed or during special projects.
• Provide relief during breaks and support co-workers to maintain production flow.
• Remain flexible to work various shifts and overtime as required.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Industrial or manufacturing experience preferred; forklift and mobile equipment experience a plus.
• Technical Skills:
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and work orders.
• Basic math (fractions, percentages, area, volume, standard-to-metric conversions).
• Mechanical aptitude to perform basic repairs and troubleshooting issues.
• Communication Skills:
• Clear communication with co-workers and supervisors (verbal and radio).
• Accurate completion of reports and production forms.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

This position is physically demanding and safety-sensitive:

• Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, climbing ladders or stairs, and working at heights.
• Frequent lifting and moving of materials up to 25 lbs.; occasional lifting to 50 lbs.; rarely lifting up to 100 lbs. with assistance.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and at various elevations.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts, dust, airborne particles, temperature extremes, and outside weather conditions.
• Noise levels from moderate to loud; hearing protection required in designated areas.
• Repetitive physical tasks required throughout the shift.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Daily use of safety glasses, gloves, hard hat, hearing protection, and steel-toe boots. Face shields, respirators, or other specialized PPE may be required for certain operations.

Certificates & Licenses

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certifications for mobile equipment operation (forklift, man-lift, sweeper, etc.).

Work Schedule

This position operates on 12-hour shifts. Overtime is required based on business needs, including weekends and holidays as scheduled.