Manufacturing Associate Jobs in Morganfield, KY (NOW HIRING)

This position will report to the Manufacturing Supervisor with a dotted line to Manufacturing Manager.

The Oven Process Technician (polymer baking)  is responsible for setting up, operating, and monitoring industrial ovens to bake or sinter polymer materials according to defined recipes and process controls. This role ensures consistent product quality, equipment uptime, and safety compliance, while supporting continuous improvement, 5S, and lean practices across the line.

Essential Job Duties

Production & Process Control

• Prepare batches: verify material identity, lot numbers, and moisture/contamination status; stage trays, fixtures, and tooling per work instructions.
• Load, operate, and unload industrial ovens (batch or continuous) per recipes, setpoints.
• Confirm bake profiles with Ignition software before unloading for quality assurance.
• Monitor and document critical process parameters (temperature, dwell time, airflow, vacuum/pressure if applicable, part spacing, ambient humidity).
• Perform start up checks, warm up cycles, and changeovers; minimize scrap and achieve first pass yield targets.

Quality & Documentation

• Follow SOPs, control plans, and visual standards; complete batch records, lot traceability, and realtime log sheets (digital or paper).
• Conduct inprocess inspections (e.g., thickness/weight checks, color/appearance, hardness, density, moisture) and escalate non-conformances, quarantine suspect product.
• Support root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone) and corrective actions; participate in capability studies and basic SPC as needed.

Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to LOTO, hotsurface, confinedspace (if applicable), and PPE requirements; handle solvents or release agents per SDS.
• Maintain safe loading practices to prevent thermal shock, tipping, overloading, or airflow blockage; verify interlocks, alarms, and overtemperature safeties.
• Report nearmisses and hazards promptly; contribute to monthly safety audits and EHS initiatives.

Equipment Care & Housekeeping

• Perform operatorlevel PM: clean oven chambers, gaskets, and racks; check thermocouples, chart recorders/data loggers, and door seals; replace filters as directed.
• Request work orders and assist Maintenance with calibration, thermocouple mapping, and repairs.
• Sustain 5S (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain); keep the area inspectionready.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify waste (defects, rework, waiting, motion, overprocessing) and propose improvements to cycle time, energy use, and yield.
• Help update standardized work, visual aids, and training materials; crosstrain across adjacent processes (mixing, grinding, screening, packaging).

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent is required. Associate’s degree in manufacturing technology or related field is a plus.
• 1-3 years of manufacturing experience; thermal processing or polymer/chemical processing preferred.
• Experience with industrial ovens, kilns, or heat treat equipment (batch or conveyor).
• Exposure to SPC, control charts, and capability concepts; understanding of Lean, Kaizen, and 5S.
• Knowledge of polymer behavior during bake/sinter (e.g., curing, volatile off-gassing, thermal expansion) and common defects (blistering, discoloration, warpage).
• Forklift/pallet jack certification.

Professional Skills

• Ability to read and follow SOPs, batch travelers, and basic schematics; comfortable with HMIs, data loggers, and MES/ERP terminals.
• Basic math and measurement skills; familiarity with thermocouples, temperature controllers, and calibration basics.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, recordkeeping accuracy, and consistent attendance.
• Ability to use hoists, hand tools, and torque devices safely.
• Understanding production documentation and data entry requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• and attention to detail.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods standing, walking and repetitive handling of trays/racks with the proper use of heat-resistant gloves and other required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment with prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, occasional fumes and odors, moving equipment, hot surfaces, and loud noise levels. Required personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls are provided and must be used.
• Capability to bend, reach, and climb ladders, and work in elevated positions when needed

• Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds at a time and ability to lift and move materials within established guidelines
• Must be able to traverse property and facility.
• Dexterity in hands and feet to operate forklift controls with precision.
• Required to wear PPE in the plant and complete safety training.

Additional Information:

• Work schedule may include extended hours, weekends, or shift work based on production needs

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt and reports to the Lead Manufacturing Coordinator.

Request for Assistance: If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting Human Resources via email at HR@shamrocktechnologies.com.

Reasonable Accommodation: Applicants with disabilities may contact Shamrock Technologies via telephone, fax, e-mail, and other means to request and arrange accommodation. If you need assistance to accommodate the disability, you may request accommodation at any time. Please contact Shamrock Technologies HR department at HR@shamrocktechnologies.com.

EEO Statement: Shamrock Technologies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.