Production Associate

Avient Corporation
United States, North Carolina, Hickory
280 Performance Drive (Show on map)
Jan 22, 2025
Job Summary Under the direction of the Shift Leader and Production Supervisor/Manager, the production associate/operator is responsible for set up and operation of machinery within the following departments FRP, Extrusion, Coating, Respool and Winding. The production associate/operator ensures safety is their #1 priority; they produce the highest quality product at the lowest possible costs while meeting customer specifications and delivery requirements in accordance with Avient Corporation policies and procedures. * Sets up and starts all machines, checking all controls for adherence to procedures. * Complies with all safety policies and procedures. * Demonstrates teamwork in all phases of operation. * Troubleshoots equipment and processing issues. * Examines materials visually in order to ensure conformance to established standards. * Operates machinery according to operating procedures. * May take samples of materials to lab for evaluations and instructions. * Refers issues/problems to lead/supervisor for disposition. * Performs all required machine cleaning * Completes and maintains all required computer inputs. * Responsible for data integrity. * Documents work completed as required including logs, data reports, procedures, etc. * Participates in training, retraining and continual improvement processes and methods. * Maintains departmental housekeeping standards. * Supports the vision, mission and guiding principles of the company. * Follows all rules, laws and procedures related to HS&E, ISO and other regulations. * Other projects/duties as assigned or needed. Department specific job duties: FRP * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for retrieving all needed materials * Responsible for inspecting, prep, and loading/ unloading creel materials * Responsible for doffing and helping other operators doff * Responsible for splicing yarns * Perform line set up and start up procedures * Responsible for shutting down lines and clean up * Make adjustments to equipment settings according to spec for each job * Monitor processes, documenting and making adjustments as necessary * Understand our ERP system and use it efficiently * Unload finished materials and perform first line inspections and provide samples to QA * Responsible for keeping area clean and clear of safety hazards Extrusion * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for line set up including tool changes, and line adjustments * Responsible for retrieving all needed materials * Responsible for using proper PPE when working inside the Hot Zones * Understand our ERP system and use it efficiently * Responsible for doffs and helping other operators doff * Collect samples, record sample data and provide samples to QA * Responsible for inspecting finished goods before pack out * Using a forklift to pack out finished goods for shipping * Inspect, prep and load material on payoff/ take-up systems * Make adjustments to equipment settings according to spec for each job * Monitor processes, documenting and making adjustments as necessary * Unload finished materials and perform first line inspections and provide samples to QA Coating * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for mixing resin to be used on line * Perform process line set up and start up procedures, and shut down procedures * Responsible for doffs and helping other operators doff * Responsible for splicing yarn * Using a forklift to retrieve materials needed * Make adjustments to equipment settings according to spec for each job * Monitor processes and making adjustments as necessary * Unload finished materials and perform pack out process for shipment * Responsible for providing samples to QA * Responsible for using our ERP system to pack out and make labels Winding * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for performing mechanical changes to winder gears * Responsible for inspecting, prepping, and loading/ unloading materials * Monitor process and make adjustments accordingly * Perform yarn splicing * Perform quality checks using a tensile tester * Unload finished materials and perform quality inspection before packing out * Responsible for pack out process including using our ERP system, weighing finished goods, and preparing boxes for shipment Respool * Responsible for correcting non-conforming reels of FRP, including sanding trash or scraping off parts of the reel * Responsible for loading/ unloading pay offs and take-ups * Responsible for achieving a leveled traverse * Using forklifts and pallet jacks to move materials * Responsible for inspecting and weighing reels before use * Perform quality inspections and provide samples for QA * Responsible for reporting scrap * Responsible for preparing reels for shipment * Understanding and using our ERP system efficiently Competencies Manufacturing/Maintenance - Fork Lift Operators License Personal Skills - Manual Dexterity Personal Skills - Quantitative Skills Personal Skills - Reading/Comprehension Personal Skills - Conflict Resolution Skills Education and Experience High School Diploma or GED Cross Functional - Problem Solving Techniques Manufacturing - Industrial Operations Physical Demands Requires standing and sitting for extended periods of time, talking and listening. Must be able to walk and use hands. Occasionally requires bending, stooping, climbing ladders and stairs. May occasionally be required to lift, push or pull up to 50 pounds. Typically work is in a manufacturing environment where noise level is loud. Generally requires the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection, hard hat, respiratory protection. Exposure to outside weather conditions is routine. May be exposed to working in extreme heat and humidity. May also be exposed on occasion to dust or fumes. Environmental, Health, Safety, & Security (EHS&S) Requirements Avient integrates EHS&S into all aspects of our operations. Each position at Avient is responsible for complying with all applicable EHS&S requirements. Additionally, employees and management are responsible for reporting all EHS&S incidents immediately to ensure we keep EHS&S a priority within the organization. Security includes physical security and cyber security. Who We Are Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include: Dyneema, the world's strongest fiber, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility Avient employs approximately 10,000 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work. For more information, visit www.avient.com. Why Avient Avient Corporation is a world-class sustainable organization built on innovation, collaboration, and employee development. We are committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where our diverse associates can grow and succeed, as well positively impacting our planet and the communities we serve. Our Great Place to Work culture, values, and benefits make Avient an employer of choice for top talent. At Avient, we believe diversity of ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance. Avient Corporation is a drug free workplace. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.