Plastic Grinder Operator Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: Re-Grind Operator

Reporting to: Maintenance Supervisor

Summary:

The Regrind Associate is responsible for safely processing out-of-specification pipe into clean, reusable regrind material. This position cuts and handles scrap pipe, loads material onto a dump-bed table, feeds material into the shredder, and fills Gaylord containers with processed regrind for shipment.

Safety and quality are critical to this role. The Regrind Associate must safely operate electric chainsaws, shredding equipment, material-handling equipment, and weighing devices while preventing plastic banding, metal, dirt, mixed materials, and other contaminants from entering the regrind stream. All completed Gaylords must meet established weight, identification, and documentation requirements. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow all company safety procedures, required personal protective equipment standards, machine-guarding requirements, and equipment-specific operating instructions.
• Operate electric chainsaws and other approved cutting equipment only after completing required training and authorization.
• Inspect chainsaws, shredder components, dump-bed tables, scales, and related equipment before use. Immediately report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, missing guards, or other hazards.
• Verify that scrap pipe is an approved material and is properly segregated before processing.
• Inspect scrap and remove all plastic banding, metal, wood, dirt, trash, mixed resin, and other foreign material before it enters the shredder.
• Load scrap onto the dump-bed table and feed the shredder at a safe, controlled rate.
• Monitor the grinding process and regrind quality. Stop the process and notify supervision or Quality immediately if contamination, mixed material, unusual equipment operation, or another quality concern is identified.
• Fill Gaylords with regrind to the specified target weight without exceeding container, scale, or material-handling limits.
• Maintain accurate production records, including material identification, weights, quantities, and disposition of processed scrap.
• Keep the grinding area clean and orderly by promptly removing loose material, banding, debris, and waste from floors and work surfaces.
• Store tools, equipment, supplies, and completed Gaylords in designated locations.
• Follow approved procedures for spill response, waste disposal, and control of regrind material.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the maintenance supervisor or leadership team

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Follow all company safety procedures, required personal protective equipment standards, machine-guarding requirements, and equipment-specific operating instructions.
• Operate electric chainsaws and other approved cutting equipment only after completing required training and authorization.
• Inspect chainsaws, shredder components, dump-bed tables, scales, and related equipment before use. Immediately report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, missing guards, or other hazards.
• Verify that scrap pipe is an approved material and is properly segregated before processing.
• Inspect scrap and remove all plastic banding, metal, wood, dirt, trash, mixed resin, and other foreign material before it enters the shredder.
• Load scrap onto the dump-bed table and feed the shredder at a safe, controlled rate.
• Monitor the grinding process and regrind quality. Stop the process and notify supervision or Quality immediately if contamination, mixed material, unusual equipment operation, or another quality concern is identified.
• Fill Gaylords with regrind to the specified target weight without exceeding container, scale, or material-handling limits.
• Maintain accurate production records, including material identification, weights, quantities, and disposition of processed scrap.
• Keep the grinding area clean and orderly by promptly removing loose material, banding, debris, and waste from floors and work surfaces.
• Store tools, equipment, supplies, and completed Gaylords in designated locations.
• Follow approved procedures for spill response, waste disposal, and control of regrind material.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the maintenance supervisor or leadership team

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Ability to read, understand, and follow safety instructions, work procedures, material specifications, labels, and production documentation.
• Ability to accurately add, subtract, multiply, and divide and to record weights and production quantities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to preventing material contamination.
• Ability to identify differences in approved product and material types.
• Ability to complete required chainsaw, shredder, material-handling, and other job-specific safety training.
• Experience with chainsaw preferred
• Ability to communicate hazards, equipment concerns, contamination, and documentation discrepancies promptly and clearly.
• Dependable attendance and ability to work independently while following established procedures.

Occupational and Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to push, pull, position, and handle bulky scrap materials using approved methods and equipment.
• Ability to frequently bend, reach, grip, twist, and perform repetitive material-handling tasks.
• Ability to safely move around machinery, containers, scrap materials, and other manufacturing-floor obstacles.
• Ability to visually inspect materials for defects, mixed products, banding, metal, dirt, and other contamination.
• Ability to work safely around moving equipment, noise, dust, sharp edges, and changing temperatures.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing and material-processing environment.
• Regular exposure to industrial machinery, elevated noise levels, plastic dust or particles, sharp material edges, and powered cutting equipment.
• Required personal protective equipment must be worn as specified for the task and work area.

EEO

• PolyPipe is an EEO compliant employer and uses E-Verify