Color Compounding Unit Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Imagine stepping onto the production floor as the night settles in. You start up your workstation, inspect the line, and set the pace that keeps our color compounding process moving smoothly through the night. That’s a typical shift for a Color Compounding Unit Operator at Teknor Apex—a role where precision, teamwork, and safety drive every decision.

Teknor Apex began as a small Rhode Island tire shop in 1924 and has grown into a global custom compounder with facilities across the U.S., Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China. We’re still privately held and led by the founder’s family, which means we’re built on relationships—with our employees and our customers—that help us create better, customized compound solutions together.

“Manufacturing is a team sport and we work together to achieve our goals.” ~Jon Fain

• Start up, run, and shut down production equipment safely and efficiently.
• Keep line speeds optimized and consistently meet productivity targets.
• Monitor quality, complete required production records, and take quick action to resolve issues.
• Apply lean and 5S practices to keep the area clean, organized, and audit-ready.
• Collaborate across the team to troubleshoot, adjust, and maintain flow from batch to batch.
• Follow all safety procedures and escalate concerns immediately.
• Be on site full time with reliable, on-time attendance—our batch manufacturing process depends on it.
• Work mandatory overtime as needed to complete batches safely; evening, night, or weekend rotations may be required.

• Previous manufacturing experience (preferred) and a strong team mindset.
• Comfort operating independently to finish tasks accurately and on schedule.
• Sound judgment to keep production moving while upholding quality.
• Ability to read, write, and accurately document production data.
• Certified or capable of becoming certified to safely operate a forklift.

Typical Shift Schedules:

3rd Shift: 10-hour shifts, 4 days per week (Starts Monday night, ends Friday morning) Hours are 10pm - 8am

• This is a full-time, on-site position. Because batch production is team-based, dependable attendance is essential for safety and throughput.
• Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the production phase of your scheduled shift.
• Mandatory overtime may occur to finish batches safely and can extend beyond your scheduled end time; evening, night, or weekend rotations may be required of all operators.

Rewards and benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Wellness incentives that can significantly reduce medical premiums
• Up to 7% employer contribution to your 401(k)
• Paid vacation and holidays
• $1,000 sign-on bonus paid in three installments
• Structured wage increases during the first year, plus annual merit reviews
• Employee recognition points redeemable for a wide range of products

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.

• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 55 lbs. multiple times throughout shift.

• Must possess good manual and mechanical dexterity to perform job duties.

• Remove tooling and properly reassemble using basic hand tools. Basic motor skills are required to perform the necessary mechanical aspects of this job in an efficient manner.

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time, squat, bend, twist and turn as needed to perform the job.

• Must be able to climb stairs multiple times throughout shift.

• Must be able to wear required safety equipment.

To be considered, candidates must be at least 18 years old.

**Teknor Apex is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status under state or federal laws. **