Machine Operator III (Finish Coater)

Company Description

BlueScope Coated Products is one of the largest coil coating companies in the United States, with facilities across the country. With more than four decades of expertise providing painted metal coils and toll processing services for industries in the construction and consumer product markets, we pride ourselves on delivering premium quality, reliable service, and ongoing innovation to our customers. 

The Finish Coater operator is responsible for the safe operation of the roll coaters in the Finish A and B room. Finish A coater is a single head coater. Finish B coater is a dual head coater and located in a significantly larger coater room than Finish A.  

Duties include setting up the Coater, measuring painting parameters (wet film thickness, viscosity, temperature, roll speeds), adjusting the Coater following direction from QC Lab Tech, performing roll changes, cleaning painting equipment, moving paint drums in and out of the coater room, measuring and documenting paint usage information, entering data into Oracle.

Key Focus Areas 

• Perform required checks including wet film checks, dry film measurements, gloss readings, and visual inspections 

• Continuously monitor wet film appearance at the coater to detect defects early and make immediate adjustments to prevent nonconforming material 

• Inspect incoming strip condition and surface quality to protect coating rolls, maximize yield, and reduce unnecessary applicator roll changes.  

• Identify coating defects including paint separations, blistering, flow lines, roll marks, nicks, and cuts, haze, streaking, edge skips, paint voids, incoming metal defects, paint system control 

• Monitor paint viscosity and make controlled solvent additions as required to maintain target paint, viscosity per lab guidelines. 

• Coordinate with lab on paint adjustments. Maintain paint filtration and circulation systems. 

• Follow all safety protocols and chemical handling requirements. 

• Works from shop order, schedules, and special instructions. 

• Responsible for keeping work area in a clean and orderly condition 

• Responsible for understanding and complying with the fundamental principles associated with the Quality and Environmental Management System in place at BlueScope 

• Communicates daily with internal personnel from Production and Quality Control to assist in resolving problems and achieving company goals 

• Other duties as assigned 

Foundational Experience 

Required Qualifications & Experience: To be considered for this position, you must possess the following qualifications: 

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED) 

• One year of operating experience in a manufacturing environment   

• Knowledge of basic hand and power tools 

Desired Qualifications: To be considered an ideal candidate, you should possess some or all of the following qualifications: 

• Metals, coating, roll forming or industrial manufacturing experience 

Skills and Abilities 

• Basic computer skills 

• Time Management – prioritizing work to meet internal and/or external customer demands 

• Good communication skills 

• Mobile equipment operations skills 

• Ability to read and comprehend written materials such as schedules, SOPs, work rules, etc. 

• Ability to work up to 12-hour shifts 

• Ability to pass a background check and drug test as a condition of employment  

Work Environment 

The employee may be required to enter areas that are near moving mechanical parts, with occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals, and extreme cold or heat. The noise level in the work environment is considered moderate and may require the use of hearing protection. The employee will be required to utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when accessing certain manufacturing areas.  

Physical Demands: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand; sit; bend; stoop; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee will be required to be capable of lifting a minimum weight of 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close-up and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception. 

Additional Information
The preceding job responsibilities and tasks were designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by associates in this job.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job duties and responsibilities required of associates assigned to this job.  Associates may be required to perform other duties as assigned.  Additional job competencies, individual goals, and performance measurements are set at the department level.

The benefits are just as rewarding as the work at BlueScope.  To support our goal, we offer a total compensation plan and an outstanding benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, short and long term disability, paid time off, and retirement. 

EEO: Employer/M/F/Disabled/Protected Veteran

BlueScope is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status, as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.