Production Associate - Night Shift

Avient Corporation
paid time off, paid holidays, sick time, 401(k)
United States, North Carolina, Hickory
280 Performance Drive (Show on map)
Jul 30, 2025
Are you looking for a stable job with great benefits and pay? Consider becoming part of the Avient team! We know your time is valuable and you have a lot of job ads to review. Let us break down the important details! Pay:$18.50 Hours: 7pm to 7am Days: 2 on 2 off, 3 on 3 off What is the job: In this entry-level manufacturing position as a Production Associate with Avient you will be responsible for performing weigh-up or packaging duties within the production department. Ensuring the highest quality product at the lowest possible cost and meeting customer specifications and delivery requirements in accordance with Avient policies and procedures. At Avient, we're a global team creating materials that make a real difference in people's lives. From the world's strongest fiber used in personal protective equipment to recycling innovations and eco-friendly transportation solutions, our work spans a vast array of applications that help build a better future, all while giving back to the communities where we live and work. What you can expect from us: Competitive compensation including a bi-annual bonus plan Medical benefits that begin day 1 - no waiting period Paid time off: Two weeks of vacation pro-rated based on start date, in addition to sick time, paid holidays, floating holidays, community service/volunteer days 401K with company match - 100% vested High regard for safety. Avient is 3x safer than the industry average! What we expect from you: Dependable & reliable Openness to work overtime as needed Team player who is eager to share their knowledge with others and learn from other team members Apply now or continue reading for more details! Essential Functions Under the direction of the Shift Leader and Production Supervisor/Manager, the production associate/operator is responsible for set up and operation of machinery within the following departments FRP, Extrusion, Coating, Respool and Winding. The production associate/operator ensures safety is their #1 priority; they produce the highest quality product at the lowest possible costs while meeting customer specifications and delivery requirements in accordance with Avient Corporation policies and procedures. * Sets up and starts all machines, checking all controls for adherence to procedures. * Complies with all safety policies and procedures. * Demonstrates teamwork in all phases of operation. * Troubleshoots equipment and processing issues. * Examines materials visually in order to ensure conformance to established standards. * Operates machinery according to operating procedures. * May take samples of materials to lab for evaluations and instructions. * Refers issues/problems to lead/supervisor for disposition. * Performs all required machine cleaning * Completes and maintains all required computer inputs. * Responsible for data integrity. * Documents work completed as required including logs, data reports, procedures, etc. * Participates in training, retraining and continual improvement processes and methods. * Maintains departmental housekeeping standards. * Supports the vision, mission and guiding principles of the company. * Follows all rules, laws and procedures related to HS&E, ISO and other regulations. * Other projects/duties as assigned or needed. Department specific job duties: FRP * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for retrieving all needed materials * Responsible for inspecting, prep, and loading/ unloading creel materials * Responsible for doffing and helping other operators doff * Responsible for splicing yarns * Perform line set up and start up procedures * Responsible for shutting down lines and clean up * Make adjustments to equipment settings according to spec for each job * Monitor processes, documenting and making adjustments as necessary * Understand our ERP system and use it efficiently * Unload finished materials and perform first line inspections and provide samples to QA * Responsible for keeping area clean and clear of safety hazards Extrusion * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for line set up including tool changes, and line adjustments * Responsible for retrieving all needed materials * Responsible for using proper PPE when working inside the Hot Zones * Understand our ERP system and use it efficiently * Responsible for doffs and helping other operators doff * Collect samples, record sample data and provide samples to QA * Responsible for inspecting finished goods before pack out * Using a forklift to pack out finished goods for shipping * Inspect, prep and load material on payoff/ take-up systems * Make adjustments to equipment settings according to spec for each job * Monitor processes, documenting and making adjustments as necessary * Unload finished materials and perform first line inspections and provide samples to QA Coating * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for mixing resin to be used on line * Perform process line set up and start up procedures, and shut down procedures * Responsible for doffs and helping other operators doff * Responsible for splicing yarn * Using a forklift to retrieve materials needed * Make adjustments to equipment settings according to spec for each job * Monitor processes and making adjustments as necessary * Unload finished materials and perform pack out process for shipment * Responsible for providing samples to QA * Responsible for using our ERP system to pack out and make labels Winding * Responsible for understanding and acknowledging work orders and customer specs * Responsible for performing mechanical changes to winder gears * Responsible for inspecting, prepping, and loading/ unloading materials * Monitor process and make adjustments accordingly * Perform yarn splicing * Perform quality checks using a tensile tester * Unload finished materials and perform quality inspection before packing out * Responsible for pack out process including using our ERP system, weighing finished goods, and preparing boxes for shipment Respool * Responsible for correcting non-conforming reels of FRP, including sanding trash or scraping off parts of the reel * Responsible for loading/ unloading pay offs and take-ups * Responsible for achieving a leveled traverse * Using forklifts and pallet jacks to move materials * Responsible for inspecting and weighing reels before use * Perform quality inspections and provide samples for QA * Responsible for reporting scrap * Responsible for preparing reels for shipment * Understanding and using our ERP system efficiently Qualifications High School diploma, General Education Diploma (GED) or equivalent training & experience Work experience in an industrial operations environment preferred Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, or procedure manuals Must have mathematical skills to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must have the ability to use conversions, work with different units such as weight, volume, density, distance, etc. Physical Demands Requires standing and sitting for extended periods of time, talking and listening Must be able to walk and use hands. Occasionally requires bending, stooping, climbing ladders and stairs May occasionally be required to lift, push or pull up to 50 pounds Ability to frequently communicate and understand work instructions and information in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where noise level is loud. Must be able to detect and discern safety alarms and respond accordingly. Generally requires the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection, hard hat, respiratory protection Exposure to outside weather conditions is routine May be exposed to working in extreme heat and humidity May also be exposed on occasion to dust or fumes Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world. Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it's powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you're a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you'll find your place at Avient. Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough! We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business. By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient's strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals. At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person's qualifications, abilities, experience and performance. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of nondiscrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran's status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, ApplicationAccommodation@Avient.com.