Manufacturing Associate - Set-Up Operator (3rd shift: 11pm-7am)

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, we've 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 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

Summary

The Set-Up Operator prepares and adjusts downstream production equipment, including shears, roll winders, the Menzel, silicone applicators, Corona treaters, and Maxson sheeters, to work-order specifications. You will set blade widths, sheet lengths, corona settings, belt speed, air pressure, and tension to deliver accurate, consistent product with minimal startup scrap. No minimum experience is required; related manufacturing or machine-operation experience is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and verify Corona treater gaps and wattage to work-order specifications; inspect electrode alignment and treatment consistency; coordinate dyne testing with Quality Control (QC) when required.
• Safely change and install Maxson blades; set blade widths and sheet lengths to work-order requirements, and adjust belt speed, air knives, pull-roll air pressure, and tension for accurate cuts and clean stacking.
• Prepare equipment for startup; route initial trim and scrap properly, keep startup scrap out of finished pallets, and verify pallets, slip sheets, and labels are staged before full-speed production.
• Perform periodic QC checks, identify downstream sheet defects, and make authorized adjustments to limit waste.
• Communicate equipment issues, defects, and adjustments to Extruder Operators, QC, and teammates; document key details at shift handoff.
• Clean Corona rolls and electrodes using approved procedures; remove polymer buildup, scrap, and debris; keep the work area orderly.
• Follow lockout/tagout and blade-handling procedures, use required PPE, and report unsafe conditions and near misses immediately.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Mechanical aptitude, strong attention to detail, and clear communication with line operators and QC.
• Ability to read work orders, measure accurately, and follow dimensional specifications.
• Ability to troubleshoot setup issues related to cut accuracy, web tension, and corona treatment.
• Commitment to safe work practices, including handling sharp blades with approved tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, machine operation, plastics, extrusion, or converting, especially with Maxson sheeters, Corona treaters, or similar equipment.
• Knowledge of sheet handling, static control, and tension systems.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Regularly lift, push, or pull 40–50 lbs; stand and walk for extended periods; bend, reach, kneel, and crouch; use small ladders or platforms.
• Fast-paced extrusion and converting environment with heat, noise, static electricity, sharp edges, moving rolls and blades, and electrical components. Required PPE includes cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection as appropriate.
• Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

BENEFITS

Full medical, dental, and vision benefits available. Medical premiums have remained unchanged for more than 18 years, costing only $16.50/biweekly paycheck for employee only coverage.

• Paid Holidays
• PTO with pay out options
• Paid Maternity & Paternity Leave
• 401(k) with Profit Sharing — 6% of total compensation
• Employee Referral Program
• Volunteer Time Off

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.

Compensation: USD 22.50 - USD 27.50 - hourly