Automatic Press Trainee

1st shift M-Th 6:30 am‑4:30 pm.

Are you looking for a challenging yet rewarding job that allows you to utilize your skills to their fullest potential? Do you want to join a team of hardworking, enthusiastic and creative people and enjoy working with a company that recognizes and embraces diversity? Do you take pride working with a company that is committed to being a great corporate citizen and playing a role in producing the highest quality products and services?

Founded 1948 by John Pridgeon and Donald Clay, we are one of the largest independent, value‑added manufacturers and suppliers of automotive stamped and fine‑blanked components in the United States.

Learn the duties of an Automatic Press Operator and assist with various production and documentation tasks, including enhancing production through continuous improvement and lean initiatives, and perform 5S duties in an exemplary manner according to the company quality policies.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Six months of experience working in a manufacturing setting
• Ability to prove mechanical inclination, computer literacy and general math knowledge through aptitude testing
• Willingness to attend off‑site, job‑related training classes
• Ability to multi‑task and work in a fast‑paced environment
• Excellent work record (e.g. limited employee warnings), including attendance
• Willingness to train on and work on any shift
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Operators are responsible for owning a set of approved calipers and micrometers

Standard Work:

• Learn to stage, set, and troubleshoot dies for automatic presses (using press controls and sensors).
• Learn to load coils, blank feed, operate departmental straighteners and presses to process parts.
• Learn to prepare, load, and adjust feeders, coil reels and straighteners. Verify proper raw material/stock against router and check.
• Read, understand, and complete all production paperwork and tags, including scrap, steel, move, production and bar code. Use the routing system to proficiently start jobs, print labels, (load components/raw materials) and close out jobs.
• Learn and understand all steps and paperwork for setting up presses, including set‑up instructions.
• Learn to operate automatic presses following general operating instructions and control plan.
• Pack and stack parts according to internal and external customer specifications.
• Complete training and receive license to operate hi‑los and cranes.
• Learn to check die status and pre‑stage upcoming jobs using Kanban and priority list.
• Learn to use Vulcan system to perform daily functions.
• Learn when and how to use End of Run tags.
• Learn to make adjustments to stock alignment and transfer fingers (if applicable)
• Attend all APO trainee classes and complete all necessary tests and audits to complete program.

Quality:

• Use snap calipers, micrometers, height gages, protractors, attribute gates, variable gages, taper gages, and/or ring gages to ensure quality production per the Control Plan.
• Learn where to find and how to understand and complete sort instructions for any quality alerts.
• Use drop gage and fixtures in accordance with policy and ensure they are in calibration.
• Learn to run parts on the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and interpret the reports to verify the quality of parts sheet.
• Find and follow inspection check sheets. Understand the variables and attributes that are recorded and know where to find the minimum and maximum variables on each check sheet.
• Document procedures per the control plan, including visual inspections, first‑piece and parts‑in‑process inspections, and Statistical Process Control (SPC) Charting, reporting any discrepancies to the Supervisor.
• Follow and execute instructions specified in first‑off piece, restart piece, and last piece inspection to insure part set‑up & Quality (Ci 8.5.1.3).

Safety:

• Follow all ISO/TS policies and procedures.
• Consistently follow safety procedures during all phases of work: set up, installation of dies, loading…