Front End Specialist

Description

SUMMARY

The Specialist is responsible for managing a specific section of the production line (Front End, Mid-Back End, or Deco), ensuring the efficient operation of that area, and providing technical guidance to a team of operators. This role focuses on subject matter?expertise, coordination, quality assurance, and operator development within a specific section of the production process. The Specialist plays a key role in maintaining high production standards, supporting the Senior Specialist, and driving continuous improvement within their section of the line.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

- Operational Leadership: Oversee the day-to-day operations of the assigned line section, ensuring smooth workflow, operator performance, and equipment functionality.
- Work Assignment & Coordination: Assign operators to equipment in the section based on production requirements, ensuring optimal staffing. Monitor performance and adjust assignments to maintain continuous workflow.
- Quality Compliance: Ensure that all quality checks are completed in the assigned section. Promptly address any deviations and ensure all quality standards are met.
- Preventative Maintenance: Work with maintenance teams to ensure that all equipment in the section undergoes routine preventative maintenance. Address any equipment issues in a timely manner to avoid production disruptions.
- Training & Development: Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in the assigned section and provide hands-on training to operators. Guide them on proper equipment use, safety protocols, and standardized work practices. Conduct follow-up assessments to gauge operator proficiency.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with the Senior Specialist, shift supervisors, and other sections to ensure seamless production flow across the entire line. Communicate issues and coordinate problem-solving efforts.
- Continuous Improvement: Support Lean initiatives within the section, actively participate in problem-solving teams, and implement improvements to processes based on root cause analysis and kaizen events.
- Standardized Work & Documentation: Maintain accurate records of production activities, issues, and improvements in the assigned section. Ensure that standardized work practices are followed and contribute to their continuous improvement.
- Safety & Compliance: Promote a safety-first culture by ensuring compliance with all safety and GMP protocols. Ensure that operators follow safety procedures and wear appropriate PPE.
- 5S & Housekeeping: Ensure that the assigned section maintains a high level of cleanliness and organization by adhering to 5S principles and maintaining housekeeping standards.
- Support to Senior Specialist: Act as a key support to the Senior Specialist, providing insights and feedback on section performance and assisting with overall production coordination.

Duties Specific to Front End Specialist:

- Cupper and Body Maker Operations: Oversee the operation and coordination of Cupper and Body Maker machines to produce aluminum can bodies, ensuring smooth production flow and machine performance.
- Quality Control: Monitor and inspect can bodies for defects such as uneven cuts, cracks, or incorrect dimensions. Ensure compliance with quality standards and production specifications.
- Machine Setup and Optimization: Perform machine setup, calibration, and cleaning to prepare for production cycles. Adjust machine settings as needed to optimize performance and minimize downtime.
- Troubleshooting: Detect and address machine malfunctions, material misalignment, or part wear. Implement corrective actions to maintain production continuity and address quality issues promptly.
- Material Handling: Manage aluminum coil and sheet supplies, ensuring that raw materials are continuously available for Cupper and Body Maker operations.
- Production Efficiency: Optimize production processes, machine settings, and workflow to maximize output, minimize material waste, and improve operational efficiency.

Duties Specific to Deco Specialist:

- Decoration Process Management: Supervise the entire decoration process, including can printing, labeling, and graphic applications. Ensure processes align with production goals and brand standards.
- Print Quality Control: Inspect cans for graphic alignment, print clarity, and color accuracy. Perform quality checks throughout the production run to ensure artwork consistency.
- Graphic Design Collaboration: Work closely with graphic designers, prepress, and marketing teams to ensure the correct setup of artwork files. Verify that designs are properly formatted for can printing.
- Color Management: Oversee ink mixing and color calibration to ensure that printed cans match brand color profiles. Make adjustments as necessary to achieve vibrant and consistent graphics.
- Machine Setup and Optimization: Set up and calibrate decoration equipment, including printers, to initiate production. Adjust settings to ensure smooth operation and high-quality print results.
- Process Optimization: Continuously improve decoration processes by streamlining workflows, reducing ink or material waste, and maintaining or enhancing production quality and efficiency.

Duties Specific to Mid-Line/Back End Specialist:

- IC Spray, Necker, and Palletizer Operations: Manage and coordinate the operation of IC spray systems, neckers, and palletizers to finalize can production. Ensure these machines run efficiently and in synchronization with the production line.
- Quality Control: Perform regular inspections on the necking process and IC spray application to ensure?cans?meet dimensional and protective coating standards. Identify and resolve any issues with can integrity or finish.
- Machine Setup and Optimization: Set up and maintain IC spray, necker, and palletizer machines. Perform routine cleaning and calibration to prepare for production and ensure smooth operations.
- Troubleshooting: Monitor for equipment malfunctions, misaligned cans, or material shortages. Take corrective actions to resolve mechanical issues and avoid disruptions to the production line.
- Production Efficiency: Adjust and fine-tune machines to optimize production flow. Implement improvements to minimize downtime and increase overall throughput in the Mid-Line and Back End processes.

Food Safety

Responsible and required to notify management about actual or potential food safety issues; and empowered to act to resolve food safety issues within their scope of work. If this position is vacant for any significant period of time the obligation for completion of all food safety and quality related tasks will become the responsibility of the direct manager or a qualified designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one year of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience operating machines or similar equipment in a manufacturing environment preferred.

Skills/Knowledge:

Has learned the basic skills and routine tasks necessary. Beginning to learn advanced skills and gaining an understanding of the total process flow. Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills. Attention to detail and ability to maintain consistent quality standards.

Computer Skills:

Must have basic knowledge of a variety of computer software applications, in word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Physical Demands:

The Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle and feel objects, tools, and controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.