Machine Operator

MACHINE OPERATORS Location: Gypsum Board Plant Plant Operators are responsible for the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of the gypsum board manufacturing line during their assigned shift. Operators monitor automated machinery, execute raw material feeding, adjust process formulations, manage thermal kiln parameters, maintain strict quality control targets (minimum 97% good board output and maximum 3% rejection), and coordinate via plant horn signals to minimize downtime. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES ? Raw Material & Mixing Operations: Supply stucco, raw additives, and chopped fiberglass safely into the feeders and tanks. Monitor head control, glue application, and flow of edge mix slurry while visually checking slurry for abnormal variations. ? Paper Handling & Splicing: Safe operation of clamp trucks, forklifts, and paper lifters. Prepare rolls, execute clean paper roll changeovers, and implement perfect roll alignment during machine splices to eliminate material breakages. ? Wet Transfer & Knife Control : Stand guard at the board knife area to maintain precise board lengths, monitor facial appearance/recesses every 30 minutes, and flag defective boards before kiln entry to limit waste to under 3%. ? Dryer & Kiln Optimization: Maintain full operation of the kiln. Hourly record, control, and adjust dryer parameters (temperatures, pressures, and speeds) across product types to avoid gaps or board warping. ? Take-off & Stacker Coordination: Manage the line segment from the dry transfer to the final stacker area. Ensure precise edge tape application, extract quality control samples every 30 minutes, and isolate all cull or rejected boards. ? Shift Leadership & Coordination: Under supervisor direction, lead cross-training across active line stations, log operational, electrical, and mechanical anomalies, enforce strict plant-wide safety rules, and maintain flawless communication via horn signalling. QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS ? Education : Diploma/Degree/High School Graduate/Certification in Industrial Automation, Process Operations, Mechanical/Electrical Technology, or completion of a recognized vocational education program in industrial operational training. ? Apprenticeship : Completion of a recognized structural or industrial operational training program is highly preferred. ? Experience: 1 to 5 years of proven working experience in the industrial manufacturing field, or 1 out of the last 5 years handling heavy production machinery as an operator in a gypsum board, cement, or continuous-process plant or any related industries. ? Technical Compliance : Knowledgeable of applicable machinery codes, plant safety standards, operational parameters (pressures, temperatures, speeds), and environmental regulations. ? Core Skills: Competency in operating board-line Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), using basic mechanical/electrical diagnostic tools, executing mill changeovers, monitoring chemical slurry/bonds, and reading advanced operational checklists.