Equipment Operator

Where you will work

The Elwood facility produces bathroom tissue, household paper towels, facial tissue, and napkins for major retail outlets throughout the United States. The Clearwater Paper facility sits on 14 acres and boasts over 200 talented employees. The manufacturing process at Elwood is highly automated with 9 converting lines utilizing slitters, rewinders, wrappers, and a variety of laser guided vehicles. Clearwater Paper employees in Elwood are proud to manufacture a high-quality product for an essential industry.

The Village of Elwood is a quaint and vibrant community in the heart of Will County, one of the fastest growing areas in the Midwest United States. Elwood offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities including the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie nature reserve, the Wesley Township Elwood Children's Garden, and the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail. Elwood is located roughly 5 miles south of Joliet which offers local landmarks

such as the Rialto Square Theatre, the Joliet Area Historical Museum, Chicagoland Speedway, and the Route 66 Raceway. Just 40 miles south of Chicago, residents are not far from experiencing all that Chicago has to offer. Elwood also offers a variety of opportunities for social service including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Veterans Housing & Employment Assistance, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way. Clearwater Paper values involvement with the community and the partnerships created as a result. Elwood is proud of its local schools including Elwood Community School, Three Rivers School, Joliet Township High School, Joliet Junior College, University of St. Francis, and Lewis University.

What you will do

The Equipment Operator is responsible for managing specific functions on the Converting Line including automatic and manual processes. The Operator is responsible for controlling the operations of the machine including adjustments and minor repairs necessary to produce a quality product.

• Prep and load material in preparation for different machines

• Operate and observe machines using computer systems and controls

• Troubleshoot machines and request maintenance as needed

• Communicate with appropriate team members on machine problems, material changes and/or quality conditions

• Respond to misfeed or jams in machine, removing damaged product as needed

• Maintain fluid level/oil and lubricant as needed, monitor adhesive levels for cores and cases

• Responsible for slabbing and disposing of used rolls

• Stack and band spent cores

• Perform product quality checks, inspect, and safely prepare new parent rolls

• Operate both manually and with a crane to transfer and move the finished product

• Complete product changeovers efficiently and according to specifications

• Fill in throughout the department as needed, assisting with other functions of the converting line

• Hold self and others to a high level of safety standards, ensuring workplace safety policies are upheld and safety rules are followed (lockout/tagout procedures, appropriate PPE)

• Participate as needed in safety incidents and help investigate the root cause

• Pick up debris and excess tissue, core stock, plastic wrap, cardboard cases, or slip sheets. Sweep and use an air hose to blow down tissue particles from in and around the machine

What you will need

To be successful in this position, we are looking for candidates with the following:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent (required)

• Industrial or Paper Manufacturing experience (preferred)

• Understand and comply with all manufacturing safety procedures including personal protective equipment (required)

• Able to work in a physically demanding environment including temperature extremes, loud noise, avoiding slipping, tripping, and falling hazards

• Physically capable of manual labor that includes bending, walking, sitting, and climbing in and around machinery and equipment for an entire 12-hour shift

• Able to lift, up to 40 lbs frequently, between 40 and 50 lbs occasionally, and over 50 lbs minimally. When lifting 50 lbs and above, the Operator will use team lifting and overhead crane assistance.

• Work environment includes exposure to compressed air, steam, lubrication oil, dust, and hydraulic fluid.

• Able to work a 12-hour rotating shift including nights, weekends, and Holidays. Able to work overtime as needed.

• Preferred work period of eighteen months within the same company.

Interested in learning more about career opportunities at Elwood, Illinois? Click here to learn more.

Clearwater Paper does not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including, but not limited to, H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and will not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.