Manufacturing & Production OperationsMachine & Process Operation
About the job
Requirements
A high school diploma with some technical background and mechanical aptitude.
One to two years of experience in an industrial environment.
Knowledge of machinery and the ability to read drawings; training is available.
Willingness and ability to train and develop as a saw operator/inspector, stretcher operator, and die preparation operator.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Windows.
Understanding of measurements, tolerances, basic geometry, and numeracy.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently and up to 100 pounds with a team member.
Responsibilities
Efficiently operate the extrusion press while maintaining quality that meets company standards.
Track equipment performance, keep the press properly tuned, and manage temperatures from the billet oven to the press exit.
Monitor runout efficiency, including length, speed, and finish.
Use work orders to run the press at optimal speeds and maximize productivity.
Set up, monitor, and maintain billet-zone temperatures during runs, and mark extrusions when temperatures do not meet requirements.
Ensure necessary tooling is available throughout the shift and manage die setup and changes to avoid delays.
Maintain die temperatures when dies are loaded into and removed from ovens.
Communicate mechanical breakdowns or issues to team leads and the maintenance team.
Ensure billets or logs are available in the ovens and monitor supply to keep the press running.
Follow average speeds listed on work orders, documenting deviations in EPICS and notifying the team lead.
Enter billet lengths, cutoffs, cut sizes, special notes, downtime, die failures, quality issues, and schedule-adherence notes in EPICS.
Review EPICS notes and drawings throughout the shift to ensure work orders are followed correctly.
Check the runout on the second billet and report inappropriate scheduled billet lengths to the team lead for adjustment to improve yield.
Maintain sufficient spacing between extrusion pieces on the cooling table for proper cooling.
Ensure extrusions are correctly fed into puller jaws and notify maintenance or the team lead of issues.
Monitor and maintain exit and runout temperatures during production.
Perform quality checks at the front end of the press and throughout the shift.
Label press samples properly and keep them together for traceability.
Take samples after the first billet and verify dimensions and surface finish against EPICS drawings.
Account for and accurately document all billets and alloys used in EPICS.
Check extrusion finish and dimensions at the required frequency.
Complete press Ascona scans as required.
Operate equipment at the saw and stretcher.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
Extrusion experience.
Knowledge of machinery and ability to read drawings.
Experience with other Microsoft software.
Familiarity with extrusion software such as EPICS.
Press Operator
Almag Aluminum · Pennsauken, United States · Full-time · Posted 2026-08-13
Workplace: on_site
Department: Extrusion
Description
Directly responsible to the Plant Manager. Responsible for optimally operating the press, process equipment, handling equipment and die setup in a safe and efficient manner. Responsible for following Company policies and procedures by ensuring a safe working environment is maintained at all times. We believe that every Employee is responsible to act safely and to model good safety practices.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties and responsibilities of the Press Operator are detailed below, but not limited to the following:
Efficiently operate the extrusion press while maintaining good quality that meets Almag’s quality standards.
Keep track of equipment performance and ensure press is well tuned, and temperatures are being properly managed from billet oven to press exit temperatures.
Responsible for monitoring runout efficiency such as length, speed, and finish.
Reference work orders to ensure press is running at the optimal speeds to maximize productivity.
Ensure billet zone temperatures are setup, monitored and maintained throughout the runs. Mark extrusions accordingly if temperatures do not meet requirements.
Die management - Ensure all necessary tooling is available at the beginning and throughout shift.
Load dies into press and ensure presses are not waiting for die changes. Importance must be given to ensure dies are not loaded too early or too late.
Ensure die temperatures are maintained when dies are loaded and removed from the ovens.
Responsible for communicating directly with the team leads/maintenance team if any mechanical breakdowns or issues are encountered.
Ensure proper billets/logs are in the ovens and monitor the supply to keep press going.
Ensure average speeds are followed based on information contained on work orders. If deviations occur, ensure note is made in EPICS and Team Lead is notified.
Responsible for EPICS entries for billet lengths, cut offs, cut sizes, etc., and highlight any special notes and instructions that the team needs to focus on.
Responsible for entering all downtime, die fails, quality issues, and schedule adherence notes in EPICS.
Responsible for checking notes in EPICS and viewing drawings throughout the shift to ensure work orders are followed correctly.
Responsible for checking the run out on the second billet produced. Report to Team Lead if billet length scheduled is inappropriate and have it changed to improve yield.
Ensure sufficient spacing is kept between extrusion pieces on the cooling table to make sure proper cooling is maintained.
Responsible for ensuring the extrusion is correctly fed into puller jaws. Notify maintenance/team lead if any issues occur.
Ensure exit/runout temperatures are monitored and maintained throughout the run.
Maintain quality checks at front end of press during operation and continuously throughout the shift.
Press samples must be properly labelled and kept together for traceability.
Ensure samples are taken after the first billet and verify dimensions and surface finish according to drawings in EPICS.
Ensure all billets and alloys used are accounted for in EPICS and documented accurately.
Check finish and dimensions on extrusions at the required frequency.
Complete press Ascona scans as required.
Must have knowledge and ability to operate all equipment at saw and stretcher.
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience
High school Diploma with some technical background and mechanical aptitude.
Extrusion experience is an asset.
Technical Skills/Competence
1-2 years’ experience in an industrial environment.
Knowledge of machinery and ability to read drawings is an asset. Willing to train.
Must be willing and able to train and develop as a saw operator / inspector, stretcher operator and die preparation operator as understating these jobs and their impact is critical to developing as a competent press operator.
Basic computer skills including MS Windows is required. Other MS software is an asset.
Understanding of measurements, tolerances, basic geometry, and numeracy comprehension.
Ability to lift up-to 50lbs independently, and ability to lift up-to 100lbs in collaboration with a team member.
Familiarity with extrusion software such as EPICS is an asset.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that goes beyond base pay, supporting your health, growth, and long-term success:
Profit Sharing
Education Assistance Program
Social Events
Safety Shoe and Glasses Allowance
Internal Growth and Development
Health and Dental
Life and AD&D
Vision
Critical Illness Insurance
Long Term Disability
The expected hourly rate for this position is $22.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, internal equity, and business needs.
Our organization may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled tools to support our recruitment initiatives.