Manufacturing Technician I

Hunter Douglas is the world’s leading manufacturer of window coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products. We are a brand that you know and trust. With more than 100 years of innovation, we’ve defined our industry with proprietary products that deliver revolutionary style and functionality and can be found in millions of homes and commercial buildings globally.

We are searching for candidates that are driven, intelligent, creative, and entrepreneurial. By offering challenging and accelerated opportunities for growth, powered by a shared hunger for success, we create a space for your career to thrive. In return for your expertise, we are committed to providing competitive and robust total compensation and benefit packages to ensure you feel valued. Our dream is to become the fastest growing, most loved, window covering company in the world. What’s yours?

Responsible for the efficient operation and tending of mechanical equipment in the high speed winding and warping of yarns, coating and gluing of yarns and final lamination of those yarns leading to textile production.  Mechanical equipment that would be skillfully operated and continuously monitored is the warper, MD gluer/coater, XD machine, laminator, and slitter.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. (These examples do not include all of the functions which the employee may be expected to perform.)

Warp Machine:  High speed machine that automatically winds yarn in parallel sheets onto beams.

Read and setup machine according to specified SETUP SHEET for different products.

Locate and explain functions of all areas of the machine

Locate and Identify different types of yarn needed for the process.

Load Yarn cones onto metal stems and successfully feed yarn through machine.

Load and Unload beams onto machine properly and safely.

Route yarn through machine rollers up to empty beam and tie off.

Identify and understand function of all PLC settings, speeds and tensions. 

Monitor machine on a continuous basis while it is running.

Troubleshoot and identify any adjustments needed to successfully run an “A” quality beam.

Record all actions on log sheet.

Properly run and fill out beam identification tags

Properly unload cones and record scrap.

Maintain and safe and clean workplace environment.

MD Gluer/Coater Machine:  Machine that coats the warped yarn surface with glue.

Read and setup machine according to specified SETUP SHEET for different products.

Locate and explain functions of all areas of the machine

Understand the functions and controls of the Thermolator and Extruder.

Locate and Identify different types of beams needed for the process.

Load and Unload beams onto machine properly and safely.

Route yarn through machine rollers up to rewind core.

Identify and understand function of all PLC settings, Temps, tensions nips and brakes. 

Properly align yarns from beams.

Properly perform glue weight checks and glue weight adjustments.

Record all glue weight data in appropriate logbook.

Adjust Dr. Blade clearance to Gravure roller.

Monitor machine on a continuous basis while it is running.

Troubleshoot and identify any adjustments needed to successfully run an “A” quality MD roll.

Record all actions on log sheet.

Properly fill out Route tags.

Load and Unload finished rolls.

Maintain a safe and clean workplace environment.

XD Fill Machine:  High-speed machine that laminates a layer of warped yarns in a cross weave direction on top of machine direction warped yarns.

Read and setup machine according to specified SETUP SHEET for different products.

Locate and explain functions of all areas of the machine

Understand the functions and controls of the Control Panel.

Locate and Identify different types of yarns needed for the process.

Weigh out pair up yarns

Load and Unload yarns onto machine properly and safely.

Blow yarns through spin frame.

Identify and understand function of all PLC settings, Temps and tensions. 

Properly load and splice MD yarns onto machine. 

Monitor machine on a continuous basis while it is running.

Troubleshoot and identify any adjustments needed to successfully run an “A” quality roll.

Properly fill out Route tags.

Load and Unload finished rolls.

Maintain a safe and clean workplace environment.

Laminator:  Fabric is unwound and then is transported on a belt through heated rollers and then is rewound back onto a roll.

Read and setup machine according to specified SETUP SHEET for different products.

Locate and explain functions of all areas of the machine

Understand the functions and controls of the Control Panel.

Locate and Identify different types of nonwoven needed for the process.

Load and Unload finished rolls.

Thread fabric and nonwovens through machine.

Identify and understand function of all PLC settings, Temps and tensions. 

Monitor laminated fabric onto rewind core.

Explain and Run Tinius Olsen/Handle-o-meter test

Explain the 6 Strand Peel Test

Troubleshoot and identify any adjustments needed to successfully run an “A” quality roll.

Properly fill out Route tags.

Record all data to log book.

Maintain a safe and clean workplace environment.

Slitter: Laminated product is slit down in accordance to the customer specification sheet. Fabric is then labeled, packaged and prepared for shipping.

Read and setup machine according to specified SETUP SHEET for different products.

Locate and explain functions of all areas of the machine

Understand the functions and controls of the Control Panel.

Setup and properly measure all slitter blades and rewind cores in accordance with customer specification.

Load laminated finished rolls.

Thread fabric through machine.

Identify and understand function of all PLC settings and tensions. 

Troubleshoot and Identify any adjustments needed to successfully run  “A” quality slit rolls.

Properly fill out Route tags.

Record all data to log book.

Print out proper slit labels.

Stack slit rolls according to customer expectations.

Properly package and prepare for shipment. 

Maintain a safe and clean workplace environment.

Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.

Position requires regular and predictable attendance.

Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

In addition to the machine specific essential functions, there are basic machine maintenance and basic laboratory testing duties.

Basic Machine Maintenance Duties:  Assisting in the splicing and changing out of belts, tension    adjustments to belt, cleaning of Teflon-coated machine belts and rollers. 

Basic Laboratory Testing Duties:  Cutting samples and using a digital gram scale to obtain glue weights from samples, consulting glue measurement charts, using a PIC eyepiece to count 

threads, preparing samples for various R&D Lab Tests. 

R & D Duties:  Working with materials in non-established machine parameters, confer with R & D Technicians/Engineers from other business functions to discuss results obtained with fabric 

Or processes, initiates use of problem solving skills during cause and effect analysis of results, meets regularly with the Operations Supervisor to set up work assignments and discuss results.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KSA’S FOR EMPLOYMENT

An employee in this position, upon appointment, should have the equivalent of the following:

Basic knowledge of report writing and documentation procedures used in research and

development activities.

Basic knowledge of computer use and applications such as Word and Excel.

Basic/solid knowledge of fabric qualities and composition changes that my occur during

the manufacturing process.

Solid knowledge/experience of set-ups and operation of mechanical equipment.

Solid knowledge of the principles of machine mechanics involved in the operation and 

Troubleshooting of equipment malfunctions.

Solid knowledge of how to use and read various measurement scales and mechanical

equipment gauges. 

Solid knowledge of basic mathematics to perform calculations involving addition and

subtraction of whole numbers and fractions.

Solid knowledge of workplace and mechanical equipment safety standards.

Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships.

Ability to read, comprehend and understand written and verbal work instructions.

Ability to use creative problem solving to resolve mechanical equipment malfunctions.

Ability to analyze results and make recommendations on the basis of those results.

Ability to identify product flaws and defects as they occur and take action to correct them.

Ability to perform work duties in a self-directed manner with limited supervision.

Ability to work as a member of a team.

Acceptable training and experience includes a high school diploma or equivalent.  Previous manufacturing and/or fabrication is highly desirable.  Mechanical equipment operator experience is required. 

For knowledge statements, according to The Uniform Selection Guidelines issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the following definitions of knowledge are:

Basic  General familiarity; aware of universal principles and able to locate details/access resources. Understanding of a determinate number or functions or activities. 

Solid  Working knowledge; able to apply general principles. Understanding of most functions, operations or activities. Includes a general knowledge of applicable theory.

Expert  Able to apply general principles and specific details. Understanding of virtually all functions, operations or activities. Includes full comprehension of applicable theory.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Body Movement

Will constantly stand during an entire shift on a concrete floor.

Will frequently walk within a designated area to observe the operation of equipment.

Will occasionally bend and stoop at waist and knees while monitoring equipment.

Back and Upper Body (lifting and carrying)

Frequently lifts work-related items weighing from 7.5 pounds without assistance.  Uses varied work aids to either move or lift heavier work-related items.

Vision

Constantly uses sight in performance of daily duties.  

Hunter Douglas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.