Manufacturing Associate - Mixer (Night Shift: 6pm to 6am)

The Manufacturing Associate - Mixer (Night Shift: 6pm to 6am) is responsible for preparing, blending, and supplying raw materials to extrusion lines according to job specifications. This role operates mixers, blenders, vacuums, augers, grinders, forklifts, and transfer equipment to ensure continuous material flow. Mixers reprocess scrap, close jobs, maintain clean work areas, and support safe, efficient production with a high level of accountability and ownership.
Required
· Experience in manufacturing
· Willing to work night shift (6pm to 6am)
· Ability to operate a forklift or willingness to train
· Basic math skills for measurement and mixing formulas
· Ability to read job specifications and production documents
Preferred
· Experience in plastics, extrusion, mixing, or compounding
· Familiarity with grinders, vacuums, mixers, or transfer systems
CORE COMPETENCIES
· Attention to Detail: Ensures correct materials and contamination-free mixes.
· Extreme Ownership: Takes responsibility for material flow, spills, equipment issues, and regrind accuracy.
· Safety Awareness: Works in a manner that protects people, equipment, and product.
· Communication: Keeps operators and supervisors informed proactively.
· Organization: Maintains clean, efficient, well-labeled material areas.
· Reliability: Provides steady, uninterrupted material supply to production lines.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
· Manufacturing floor environment with heat, noise, airborne dust, and moving equipment.
· Frequent interaction with operators, supervisors, maintenance, and QC.
· Work performed around extruders, grinders, vacuums, forklifts, and material transfer systems.
· Required use of PPE such as cut gloves as needed, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
· Lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs regularly
· Stand and walk for long periods (8–12 hour shifts).
· Climb stairs and ladders to access mixers, vacuums, and bins.
· Bend, kneel, crouch, and reach while replacing hoses or clearing jams.
· Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and box tippers requiring full range of motion.
· Work in warm, noisy environments near running extrusion lines and grinders.
· Perform repetitive lifting, twisting, and hose-handling motions.
· Stand on concrete flooring for extended periods.
· Perform silo pit cleaning, requiring sweeping, bending, shoveling, and moderate physical exertion.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Material Preparation & Mixing
· Weigh, blend, and prepare polystyrene resin, regrind, colorants, and additives accurately.
· Operate mixers, blenders, bins, vacuum loaders, and transfer stations.
· Confirm correct materials and amounts before sending to extrusion lines.
· Keep bins filled and staged to support upcoming production runs.
2. Supplying Material to Extrusion Lines
· Provide material to the line consistently and without interruption.
· Monitor line material levels and replenish proactively.
· Communicate with line operators regarding changes, delays, or low material status.
· Troubleshoot flow issues such as blocked hoses, vacuum loss, auger jams, and tipper malfunctions.
3. Equipment Operation & Maintenance
Operate and maintain all mixing equipment.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
· Daily visual checks on equipment functionality
· Replacing broken hoses when maintenance is unavailable
· Ensuring material paths are clear and unobstructed
· Monitoring for leaks, worn parts, or unusual equipment behavior
4. Scrap Reprocessing
· Collect scrap for reprocessing.
· Feed scrap/trim into grinder/regrind systems safely and correctly.
· Ensure scrap is free of contamination before processing.
· Confirm regrind percentages align with job specifications.
5. Job Closing & Documentation
· Track material used, scrap created, and leftover materials.
· Record resin, regrind, and additive consumption accurately.
· Report discrepancies in material usage to the supervisor.
· Close jobs in the system at the completion of each run.
6. Cleaning & Housekeeping
· Clean up spills immediately to maintain a safe environment.
· Blow down and vacuum mixers, blenders, vacuums, and surrounding areas daily.
· Rotate weekly: one mixer cleans the silo pit area thoroughly.
· Collect and band gaylord boxes.
· Stage unused materials for storage or next run.
7. Safety Responsibilities
· Operate forklifts and equipment in accordance with safety guidelines.
· Wear all required PPE at all times.
· Follow lockout/tagout procedures when clearing jams or performing equipment checks.
· Report spills, leaks, damaged equipment, or unsafe conditions immediately.
· Maintain clear aisles and safe, unobstructed workspaces.
8. Communication & Collaboration
· Work closely with line operators, QC, and supervisors to maintain smooth production flow.
· Notify operators of delays, changes to material mix, or equipment concerns.
· Provide accurate updates during shift change handoffs.
· Communicate scrap issues, unusual material usage, or mixing inconsistencies.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No