Manufacturing Associate - Mixer (2nd Shift: 3pm to 11pm)

Company Description

Grimco is a family-owned manufacturer and wholesale distributor of sign supplies, serving customers across the US as well as Canada and the UK. Founded in 1875 and still privately held today, Grimco has grown to more than $1.5 billion in annual sales while staying true to its roots as a family business.

At Grimco, our people are the purpose. Every member of our Manchester manufacturing team plays a vital role in upholding our standards for quality, safety, and continuous improvement. Here, your ideas and dedication fuel our success. Join a stable, family-owned company that invests in its people and promotes long-term career growth, and make your mark on the future of the sign industry.

Job Description

The  Manufacturing Associate - Mixer is responsible for preparing, blending, and supplying raw materials to extrusion lines according to job specifications. This role operates mixers, blenders, vacuums, augers, grinders, forklifts, and transfer equipment to ensure continuous material flow. Mixers reprocess scrap, close jobs, maintain clean work areas, and support safe, efficient production with a high level of accountability and ownership)

Work Schedule: 3pm to 11 pm

Pay rate: $23-$27 per hour plus applicable Shift Differential from $0.75 per hour.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Material Preparation & Mixing

- Weigh, blend, and prepare polystyrene resin, regrind, colorants, and additives accurately.
- Operate mixers, blenders, bins, vacuum loaders, and transfer stations.
- Confirm correct materials and amounts before sending to extrusion lines.
- Keep bins filled and staged to support upcoming production runs.

2. Supplying Material to Extrusion Lines

- Provide material to the line consistently and without interruption.
- Monitor line material levels and replenish proactively.
- Communicate with line operators regarding changes, delays, or low material status.
- Troubleshoot flow issues such as blocked hoses, vacuum loss, auger jams, and tipper malfunctions.

3. Equipment Operation & Maintenance

- Operate and maintain all mixing equipment. 
- Daily visual checks on equipment functionality
- Replacing broken hoses when maintenance is unavailable
- Ensuring material paths are clear and unobstructed
- Monitoring for leaks, worn parts, or unusual equipment behavior

4. Scrap Reprocessing

- Collect scrap for reprocessing.
- Feed scrap/trim into grinder/regrind systems safely and correctly.
- Ensure scrap is free of contamination before processing.
- Confirm regrind percentages align with job specifications.

5. Job Closing & Documentation

- Track material used, scrap created, and leftover materials.
- Record resin, regrind, and additive consumption accurately.
- Report discrepancies in material usage to the supervisor.
- Close jobs in the system at the completion of each run.

6. Cleaning & Housekeeping

- Clean up spills immediately to maintain a safe environment.
- Blow down and vacuum mixers, blenders, vacuums, and surrounding areas daily.
- Rotate weekly: one mixer cleans the silo pit area thoroughly.
- Collect and band gaylord boxes.
- Stage unused materials for storage or next run.

7. Safety Responsibilities

- Operate forklifts and equipment in accordance with safety guidelines.
- Wear all required PPE at all times.
- Follow lockout/tagout procedures when clearing jams or performing equipment checks.
- Report spills, leaks, damaged equipment, or unsafe conditions immediately.
- Maintain clear aisles and safe, unobstructed workspaces.

8. Communication & Collaboration

- Work closely with line operators, QC, and supervisors to maintain smooth production flow.
- Notify operators of delays, changes to material mix, or equipment concerns.
- Provide accurate updates during shift change handoffs.
- Communicate scrap issues, unusual material usage, or mixing inconsistencies.

Qualifications

Required

- Experience in manufacturing
- Ability to operate a forklift or willingness to train
- Basic math skills for measurement and mixing formulas
- Ability to read job specifications and production documents
- Strong attention to detail and cleanliness

Preferred

- Experience in plastics, extrusion, mixing, or compounding
- Familiarity with grinders, vacuums, mixers, or transfer systems

CORE COMPETENCIES

- Attention to Detail: Ensures correct materials and contamination-free mixes.
- Extreme Ownership: Takes responsibility for material flow, spills, equipment issues, and regrind accuracy.
- Safety Awareness: Works in a manner that protects people, equipment, and product.
- Communication: Keeps operators and supervisors informed proactively.
- Organization: Maintains clean, efficient, well-labeled material areas.
- Reliability: Provides steady, uninterrupted material supply to production lines.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

- Lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs regularly
- Stand and walk for long periods.
- Climb stairs and ladders to access mixers, vacuums, and bins.
- Bend, kneel, crouch, and reach while replacing hoses or clearing jams.
- Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and box tippers requiring full range of motion.
- Work in warm, noisy environments near running extrusion lines and grinders.
- Perform repetitive lifting, twisting, and hose-handling motions.
- Stand on concrete flooring for extended periods.
- Perform silo pit cleaning, requiring sweeping, bending, shoveling, and moderate physical exertion.

WHAT WE BRING:

- Great hourly pay with 2nd shift differential (additional $.75/hour for 2nd shift)!
- Full benefits  - medical, dental, vision (premiums haven't increased in 18+ years, employee only coverage only $35.75/month)
- 401K with profit sharing -  6% of total compensation
- Paid parental leave, holidays, PTO with payout options, and volunteer time off
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Interested? Learn more at https://connect.grimco.com/careers

By completing this online application for employment, you certify that the information on this application is true and complete to the best of your knowledge. You understand that any misrepresentation or omission of fact in response to any inquiry made in this application may result in rejection of application or, if hired, dismissal whenever it is discovered. You authorize and release all parties from any liability or damage that may result from seeking, furnishing, or using such information. You understand and agree that, if hired, your employment is for no definite period and may, regardless of the date of payment of compensation, be terminated by Grimco, Inc. at any time, for any or no reason, with or without notice. You understand that no representation to the contrary is valid unless in writing, set a definite term of employment, and signed by the company's CEO. You further understand and agree that any job offer is contingent upon your passing, to the company's satisfaction, a drug and/or alcohol test, criminal background check and other possible screenings. You understand that this application is active for 90 days only, and if you do not hear from the company but still wish to be considered for employment after 90 days, you will need to fill out a new application.