Fabrication Lead Operator

Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a Westlake division (NYSE:WLK), is one of the largest polyvinyl chloride pipe and fittings manufacturer in North America. With 23 manufacturing and distribution locations, the company supplies gasketed, solvent weld and restrained joint pipes and a wide range of fittings for a diverse list of markets including municipal water and sewer, plumbing, water well, pool and spa, and agricultural and turf irrigation. Westlake Pipe & Fittings is an industry leader in product development with Certa-Lok® spline-lock technology and product systems that are focused on building A Better Foundation. To learn more, visit the website at WestlakePipe.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. 

SUMMARY

Responsible for all operations involved in making couplings for pipe.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures; perform tasks in a safe manner.
• Position personnel according to scheduled rotation system.
• Obtain pipe and packaging specification.
• Set-up coupling lathes and related equipment to different sizes according to specifications and production schedule.
• Assist operators in adjusting equipment to produce products within specification.
• Checks parts for dimensions.
• Responsible for training employees on all equipment in department as the employee progresses in the wage system.
• Recommends employee advancement to the Supervisor
• Assists with procuring materials needed for production. Must use tape measure, plug gauge, dial indicator, inside caliper, dial caliper, and burr knife.
• Must operate the various equipment to include cutting couplings, machining couplings on the lathes, drilling holes, putting in set screws, hydro testing couplings, and packaging.
• Responsible for completion for production and quality paperwork.
• Record employee absence.
• Answer employee technical questions when information is known.
• Direct employees to Fabrication manager or HR/Safety Manger for other questions.
• In the event of an accident or injury immediately notify the Shift supervisor on duty.
• Contact Maintenance Department and/or write work orders to get equipment repaired when necessary.
• Ability and willingness to take on additional assignments as requested by management.
• Responsible for supervising all personnel on shift in the absence of Fabrication Supervisor.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions in English. Communication skills (written and verbal) and be able to work well with operators, shift leaders an office personnel.  Shares information with co-workers as needed.
• Ability to read a tape measure, add and subtract two-digit numbers, plus use calculator. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Position requires license to operate fork truck and scissor lift. Position also requires a valid Kansas Class C driver’s license.
• Intermediate knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office.  Must be able to close production in SAP at the end of each shift.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to sit.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40-50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid, hot and cold conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.