Job Details

Production Operator

The production operator assists with running the Lowell granular plant, drying and milling systems. Has shared responsibility to produce quality limestone products with the safe and efficient operation of the granular plant, dryer, and mills.

Responsibilities & Expectations

Environmental, Health, Safety:

• Ensure a safe workplace and regulatory compliance with Federal, state and local laws, environmental regulations, and Company policies.
• Ability to troubleshoot dust collectors for environmental compliance

Maintenance:

• Maintain high standards of housekeeping in shop area.
• Visual inspections of all process equipment in plant and scale area(s)
• Assist in PM activities related to process equipment; greasing/oiling, maintaining filters etc.
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical/electrical issues with process equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair baghouse dust collectors
• Replace, repair, maintain screening decks as needed
• Mechanic work involving hand tools and air-powered tools.
• If a system is down for maintenance or failure assist maintenance any way possible to get the PM or breakdown maintenance completed so that the equipment can be in operation mode in a timely manner

Safe Quality Food (SQF) and Shipping:

• Ensure a SQF workplace maintained within Federal FDA Food Modernization Safety Act (CFR Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 507) compliance.
• Support SQF initiatives and awareness programs.
• Desire to improve a process in an ongoing manner so constant improvements are had. Share ideas that improve truck loading so that all team members can perform the position as efficiently as possible.
• Be a supporter of employee safety and SQF culture.
• Ensure proper training programs are implemented for new employees and continued for existing employees.
• Actively participate in audits for regulatory, safety, SQF and environmental compliance at the site.
• Clean up under and around granular area, all scales, and equipment; maintain interior of scale house and production areas.
• Ensure a safe workplace and regulatory compliance with Federal, state and local laws, environmental regulations, and company policies.
• Operate, load, and unload product

Quality Control:

• Maintain quality assurance programs.
• Accurately sample and measure chemical and physical properties on all types of raw and finished products following established laboratory guidelines.
• Processes incoming samples, tests per procedures for each product.
• Reviews results and alerts management to out of spec conditions.
• Enters results into Quality Database accurately and timely.
• Effectively document, interpret and communicate analysis to maintain product quality.
• Recording of quality data on required system.
• Ensure that different product types are distributed into the appropriate bins.
• Support investigations on customer complaints to find root causes. Document findings.
• Report quality non-conformances to the production manager.
• Maintain production lab equipment.
• Backup to run critical testing for Customer COA's
• Assist and support with daily testing or trials.

Production Support:

• Inspect, load and weigh bulk customer trucks as directed.
• Perform light maintenance duties and troubleshooting as directed.
• Track belts, Drive belts, lube route, Guard Fab., Screen changes, repair air lines, etc,.
• First-level maintenance inspection for each shop
• Operate heavy mobile equipment as needed (skid steer, front-end loader, and forklift).
• The operator will support the plant systems by monitoring and adjusting crushers/mills, feeders, gates, screens, and conveyors to maximize efficient operation and reduce downtime.
• The operator will remain on duty until the next scheduled operator arrives or a trained replacement is found.
• During shift changes, the operator will provide others with a brief recap of their shift relating to production, equipment issues, safety concerns, and any other necessary topics as they relate to production and safety.
• Report any potential operational or safety issue to a lead or manager immediately.
• Train and coach new hires on quality and production matters as needed.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping in plant areas.
• Complete workplace exams and environmental inspections
• Implement and sustain 5S in the workplace.

Other duties as assigned

Attributes:

• Interacts and behaves professionally, following Lhoist corporate core principles of Courage, Respect, and Integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to closely follow testing protocols and quality procedures and reporting results in a useful manner.
• Familiarity with Quality Management systems and understanding of its application to manufacturing processes.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Good critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Good numerical skills in order to report results.
• Self-motivated and must be able to work independently.
• Demonstrated skills entering, retrieving, and manipulating data in a Quality Management System and Microsoft based computer system.
• Knowledgeable of manufacturing and mining processes in a related mineral industry.

Physical Demands Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Must be physically able to perform work assigned.
• Will work
• Must be physically capable of accessing all plant locations.
• Access all areas within a site which could include heights of 150 feet, confined spaces, climbing ladders or stairs, and accessing tunnels.
• Will be working at times in covered environment but mainly in a mining environment.
• The employee will be exposed to the following working conditions: Extreme Heat and Cold, Rain, Noise, Vibration, Oils, and Atmospheric Conditions such as Dust, Fumes, and Mineral Particles.
• The employee will be required to perform the following actions (from time to time): Standing, walking, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, seeing, hearing, and sitting.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds.

Required Education:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

• Technical training or other related field is desired.

Required Experience:

• One to three (1-3) years previous heavy manufacturing and/or mining experience.

Preferred Experience:

• Three to five (3-5) years previous heavy manufacturing and/or mining experience.