Refractory Production Worker (RPW)

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

We are seeking dependable and motivated individuals to join our manufacturing team as Refractory Production Workers (RPW). This position performs a variety of general labor and material-handling duties within a refractory production environment. The RPW role is an entry-level production position that supports manufacturing operations through material movement, equipment operation, housekeeping, and other production-related tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform general labor duties throughout the production facility.
• Sweep, clean, and maintain work areas to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Lift, move, stack, and handle refractory bricks and raw materials.
• Wrap and band pallets for storage and shipment.
• Operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment as authorized.
• Utilize basic hand tools and production equipment safely and effectively.
• Assist with packaging, labeling, and material preparation activities.
• Adhere to all company safety policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Support other production and warehouse functions as needed.

Equipment and Tools Used

• Shovels
• Brooms
• Wheelbarrows
• Fork trucks
• Shrink-wrapping equipment
• Pallets and pans
• Lift-assist devices
• Tape dispensers
• Banding devices
• Computers and related production systems
• Other basic labor and material-handling equipment

Materials Handled

• Refractory raw materials
• Finished refractory products and bricks
• Bags and packaging materials
• Adhesives and glue products
• Labels and stickers
• Other production and shipping materials

Required Qualifications

• Ability to read and write English.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to perform arithmetic calculations at approximately a 12th-grade level.
• Ability to perform routine physical labor in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to successfully meet performance expectations following approximately two (2) weeks of on-the-job training.
• Availability to work the 3PM-11PM shift if need be
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, move, and handle production materials.
• Ability to stand, walk, and bend to perform repetitive physical activities throughout the workday.
• Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and material-handling machinery.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. on your own.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing and production setting.
• Regular exposure to dust and noise.
• Exposure to varying indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
• Routine work with occasional variations in daily tasks and responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems; including the ability to identify common equipment components and recognize potential issues.
• Forklift certification or the ability to become certified.
• Familiarity with workplace safety practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
• Strong attendance record and demonstrated reliability.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a union team in a fast-paced production environment.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 6% Match
• 401(k) matching
• Yearly raises
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Prescription drug insurance
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Tarentum, PA 15084 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Based in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, Kelsen Refractories USA operates a refractory plant with a proud legacy of local manufacturing dating back to the 1960s. Strategically located in the heart of the Pittsburgh industrial corridor—a region historically vital to the U.S. steel industry—the plant is uniquely positioned to serve key customers across America with dolomitic refractory solutions. Since 2025, the company has joined the global industrial network of Refractarios Kelsen and the Calcinor Group, gaining access to international expertise while maintaining a strong local identity rooted in American manufacturing tradition.

Refractories USA specializes in the production of dolomitic refractories, offering a complete portfolio that includes resin-bonded products, fired bricks, and monolithic solutions. As one of only two producers of dolomite-based refractory bricks in the entire America’s region, the company provides a unique and strategic offering to the steel industry. All products benefit from the technical expertise and high-quality standards of Refractarios Kelsen, ensuring consistent performance in demanding high-temperature environments and contributing to greater process efficiency and reliability for our customers.

Company Description

Based in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, Kelsen Refractories USA operates a refractory plant with a proud legacy of local manufacturing dating back to the 1960s. Strategically located in the heart of the Pittsburgh industrial corridor—a region historically vital to the U.S. steel industry—the plant is uniquely positioned to serve key customers across America with dolomitic refractory solutions. Since 2025, the company has joined the global industrial network of Refractarios Kelsen and the Calcinor Group, gaining access to international expertise while maintaining a strong local identity rooted in American manufacturing tradition.\n\nRefractories USA specializes in the production of dolomitic refractories, offering a complete portfolio that includes resin-bonded products, fired bricks, and monolithic solutions. As one of only two producers of dolomite-based refractory bricks in the entire America’s region, the company provides a unique and strategic offering to the steel industry. All products benefit from the technical expertise and high-quality standards of Refractarios Kelsen, ensuring consistent performance in demanding high-temperature environments and contributing to greater process efficiency and reliability for our customers.