Dinnerware Raw Materials Generalist

Raw Materials Generalist

Heath Ceramics is a California company making dinnerware and architectural tiles of good and enduring design for 75 years. We are design-led, with the mission of creating products of beauty and integrity, while designing, manufacturing, and running our business in a way that's better for society and our planet. Our products are designed, manufactured, and sold in our two California factories and five showrooms, ensuring accountability in our process, from beginning to end. As a Certified B Corp, we maintain high standards of social responsibility, environmental performance, and transparency. We believe in the benefits of local manufacturing and support a community of people committed to and inspired by the process of designing, making, and sharing. We believe in pay equity, full health and welfare benefits, and a place for meaningful work.

The Raw Materials Generalist is responsible for making clay filter cakes, casting slip, glazes, tile clay, dinnerware clay, and molds per business needs. Generalist will also be assigned wastewater, and kiln firing duties.

Essential Role Functions

• Slip Making
• Batching fresh manganese clay according to recipe requirements
• Batching fresh white clay according to recipe requirements
• Batching casting slip according to recipe requirements
• Operating the vibratory screen to sieve the clay
• Adjusting the rheological properties of the clay body
• Operating the filter presses
• Operating the dust collection system
• Pressure washing the slipmaking area daily
• Operating displacement pumps to transfer materials
• Making filter cakes using the filter presses
• Making casting slip using the slip blungers
• Batching fresh clay using the mixing blungers
• Maintaining the proportions between fresh and reclaimed clay
• Mix, screen, and press dinnerware clay, both white and manganese bodies, based on production needs
• Batch casting slips, supply slip caster with slip, and recycle casting scrap
• Adjust and balance casting slip using viscometer and specific gravity cup
• Collecting scrap clay from around the plant for recycling

• Kiln Firing
• Gas Kiln Firing
• Lighting the kilns
• Turning up the burners on a determined schedule
• Balancing the firing in the end so the kiln is uniformly fired
• Documenting the firing process
• Taking accurate instrument readings
• Measuring and recording the results of the firing
• Maintaining the burners on a daily basis
• Carefully monitoring the product in the bisque kiln and correcting any quality control issues
• Electric Kiln Firing
• Turning the three electric kilns on and off on a set schedule as needed
• Loading and unloading the kilns
• Counting the pieces as part of the unloading process
• Recording the count and providing to the Dinnerware Production Planner
• Collaborating with dinnerware production management and other concerned parties regarding the results of each kiln firing
• Supports annual kiln maintenance for all kiln components
• Supports technical adjustments to the kilns, i.e. measuring and adjusting the dampers

• Glaze Making
• Level I
• Storage area for materials
• Transferring glaze materials properly
• Identifying bags of materials and properly placing in correct containers
• Identifying slight differences in materials according to size, feel, texture, and behavior
• Learning the basic glaze formulas, materials, and the order in which they are added to the glaze recipes
• Batching the glaze according to specific recipes
• Measuring viscosity and specific gravity using the correct equipment
• Adjusting basic rheological properties including viscosity and specific gravity
• Understanding screen selection (60 mesh, 80 mesh, or 120 mesh) for base glazes
• Preparing and firing test samples for glaze batches
• Comparing fired test samples against the standard glaze: color matching, texture, opacity/translucency, contaminates and reporting results to the senior Glazemaker
• Maintaining glaze storage area at a high standard of safety and cleanliness
• Basic understanding of the firing and quality control processes
• Preparing glazes to specification for dinnerware and tile production
• Coordinating with key dinnerware production employees to maintain optimal quantities of prepared glazes
• Keeping glaze making station clean and organized

General Requirements

• Forklift certification
• Superior time management skills
• Ability to follow strict safety guidelines
• Work consistently and precisely
• Desire to work in a plant environment and to be "hands on"
• Great people skills: must be patient, flexible, and calm
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to enhance a team
• Prior moldmaking experience a plus
• Excellent tactile skills/craftsmanship
• Highly organized
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to follow instructions accurately and in a timely manner
• Excellent communication skills
• Basic understanding of firing process
• Basic understanding of Heath quality control standards
• Follow production glaze lists and record all production accurately

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 20- 50 lbs approximately 200 times per day
• Standing for 90% of the day
• Other activities, including climbing, balancing, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, repetitive motion, grasping, and feeling.

Visual Acuity Requirements

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and inspecting materials; visual inspection involving small defects, small objects, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and visual checks of materials and machinery. The worker will also need visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned and to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.

Qualifications

An ideal candidate has very good attention to detail, works efficiently and is always mindful of quality. MUST follow safety procedures. Must have a positive attitude and foster a team environment. MUST be willing to learn from experienced personnel during a thorough training period. Good communication skills are required.

Training Requirement

• 6-12 months depending on experience level

Schedule

• 40 regularly scheduled hours per week, Monday-Friday
• Overtime may be available and required
• Shift: 10am-6:30pm, Monday-Friday, or at a time agreed upon by the Dinnerware Production Manager and Dinnerware Production Supervisor/Ceramic Technician

Benefits

We are committed to your health and well-being. Heath offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes a choice of medical plans, dental, vision, acupuncture and chiropractic, as well as life insurance. An annual 401(k) contribution that grows with job tenure. We offer a generous time-off allocation and a great discount on all Heath Ceramics products.

Proud Equal Opportunity Employer

At Heath, we don't just accept differences we celebrate it, we support it. Heath is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce at all job levels. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin,