Shakespeare- Extrusion Operator

SHAKESPEARE COMPANY LLC, a Jadex Inc. company, is a US-based manufacturer of both industrial and consumer products for a wide variety of industries and applications. 

Shakespeare® industrial products are tailored to the customer’s unique needs and include custom engineered nylon resins, performance monofilaments, and conductive fibers used as raw materials in finished goods ranging from automotive components to medical applications.  The company operates under the Shakespeare®, Rino-Tuff®, and Weed Warrior® brands in the lawn & garden category and is a major player in the mass merchant channel as the primary universal fit solution for trimmer line, heads, and accessories.  The brand is known worldwide within the marine electronics industry for marine radio antennas with a portfolio of connectivity solutions and accessories to help keep boaters connected and safe.  Maintaining communications is of utmost importance to military forces across the world and Shakespeare®’s line of military antenna products plays a critical role in achieving mission success.

Position Summary

The Performance Monofilament Department produces filaments that are used in various applications such as medical, tires, filters, sewing thread, automotive belts, trimmer line, and dental floss. The Extrusion Operator performs a variety of tasks in the operations of a horizontal gravity fed extruder, such as managing resin loaders and drying systems, setting extruder system temperatures, installation of dies and operating winders. In addition to operating the equipment, a high level of quality awareness is required.

Essential Functions 

• Read and comprehend shop order, BOM process & specifications
• Pack filled spools, label spools/cartons/boxes according to instructions
• Identify and locate parts according to BOM
• Neatly and accurately fill out all extrusion paperwork
• Set up, start up, and stop extruder according to process/procedures
• Perform testing, tie lines, keep hopper filled, separate lines in tank and doff lines
• Set up and operate doff timers/metered yardage systems/doff to buzzer to control yardage, maintain wind quality
• Check and set winding tensions, operate, and monitor computers, laser mics, reports, enter data into NWA, identify out of control conditions
• Monitor equipment/process setup against specifications, understand corrective actions
• Efficiently manage/complete changeovers
• Troubleshooting (Basic) - startup / target properties with assistance
• Understand different types of die packs & their installation/removal procedure
• Put roll stands in correct gear ratio per product; know when it's required
• Set additive equipment to process, monitor and keep filled
• Cook out, flush out, and purge extruder & understand when each type of clean out is required
• Recognize quality problems based on QA data SPC/visual inspections, process equipment inspections
• Use additives and understand the purpose of these additives
• Troubleshoot equipment, additives, diameter measurement to root cause

• Execute the “changeover” from one product to another product: 
• Remove and load drying system
• Change winder components
• Execute die change
• Execute finish change
• Input process settings (i.e., extruder, roll stands and winders)
• Complete startup and sample testing requirement

Secondary Functions

• Work in a safe manner and maintain general housekeeping
• Demonstrate commitment to customer quality, business results and continuous improvement
• Expected to increase knowledge and progressively improve individual performance
• Manage daily tasks to achieve target production rates
• Other assignments as requested

Position Specifications 

• Shift work required
• Overtime required as needed to cover absences/vacations
• Strong listening and communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and organization skills required
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot problems
• Basic computer skills
• Must demonstrate commitment to safety
• Must demonstrate a willingness and desire to learn
• Must demonstrate effective time management and sound judgment
• Ability to make basic mathematical calculations (including addition, subtraction, finding averages)
• Ability to read information and numbers and write legibly
• Must demonstrate a willingness to assist other operators when necessary

Job Training

• Shakespeare Safety Orientation
• NWA/SPC training
• Forklift/Pallet Jack Certification

Required Education and Experience 

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Experience as an Extrusion operator preferred

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to bend, climb, kneel, sit, and walk (short periods) and stand (long periods of 6-8 hours)
• Ability to use motorized equipment (forklift, pallet jack)
• Hand /finger agility:  grasp, move, adjust
• Manufacturing environment:  not uniformly heated / cooled, exposure to dust/ fumes
• PPE:  steel-toed footwear, hearing protection, safety glasses