Production Operator (Entry Level)

Niche Polymer LLC•Parkersburg, WV

1h•Onsite

About The Position

The Production Operator supports daily operations in a plastics recycling facility processing Nylon 6/66, PET, and HDPE materials. This is an entry-level, hands-on role focused on sorting, material handling, machine feeding, quality checks, and maintaining a safe and clean production environment. Most processes are manually operated, requiring attention to detail, physical stamina, and a strong commitment to safety and teamwork.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
No prior experience required — training provided
Ability to follow instructions and safety procedures carefully
Willingness to work in an industrial recycling environment
Strong attention to detail (especially during sorting and quality checks)
Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team

Nice To Haves

Experience in manufacturing, warehousing, or recycling
Forklift or pallet jack experience
Basic understanding of different plastic types

Responsibilities

Sort and separate plastic materials (Nylon, PET, HDPE) according to type, color, and contamination level
Feed materials into screeners, blenders, box dumpers, dryers, and extrusion equipment
Assist with start-up and shutdown of recycling machinery under supervisor guidance
Monitor material flow and report blockages, jams, or unusual machine behavior
Remove contaminants (metal, labels, foreign materials) from feedstock
Collect, bag, label, and move finished flakes, regrind, or pellets
Perform visual quality inspections of incoming and processed materials
Keep workstations, floors, and equipment clean (housekeeping / 5S practices)
Record basic production data such as quantities processed and downtime
Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout awareness and proper PPE use
Support maintenance staff during basic cleaning and preventive maintenance tasks
Work as part of a team to meet daily production targets