Bending Machine Operator III – Expert/Trainer - Night Shift

Description The Bending Machine Operator III is responsible for independently performing advanced bending operations across multiple machine platforms while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, productivity, and delivery requirements. This position utilizes engineering drawings, production schedules, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation to set up, load, operate, and troubleshoot three types of bending machines.

Key Responsibilities

• Accesses and utilizes drawings, engineering models, work instructions, and production documentation through company computer systems to support manufacturing operations.
• Accurately uses metric and imperial measuring instruments to inspect parts and verify conformance to blueprint dimensions and tolerance requirements.
• Performs complete dimensional verification of formed components and confirms compliance with engineering specifications prior to transfer to downstream operations.
• Completes production tracking, labor reporting, and fabrication documentation accurately and in accordance with departmental requirements.
• Correctly loads and configures three types of bending machines based on product design, material type, machine capability, and production requirements.
• Reads, interprets, and applies engineering drawings and specifications for all product types manufactured within the bending work center.
• Independently operates, sets up, and performs basic troubleshooting on three different bending machines while ensuring adherence to engineering specifications, quality standards, and productivity expectations.
• Diagnoses and resolves routine machine, tooling, and product-related issues to maintain efficient production flow and minimize downtime.
• Validates product quality throughout the manufacturing process and takes corrective action when results fail to meet established standards.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of production schedules and proactively identifies material, equipment, staffing, or process issues that may negatively impact delivery commitments.
• Reviews completed work for full compliance with product quality requirements and verifies all checklist criteria have been satisfied prior to release to the next operation.
• Maintains accountability for understanding downstream manufacturing processes and escalates actual or potential issues that could impact safety, quality, productivity, or delivery performance.
• Applies advanced knowledge of 5S principles by maintaining work area organization, visual controls, housekeeping standards, and continuous workplace improvement activities on a daily basis.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of work center safety requirements and actively recommends improvements to equipment, processes, and workplace conditions to enhance employee safety.
• Collaborates with supervisors, quality personnel, and downstream operations to ensure production requirements, quality expectations, and delivery schedules are achieved.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, delivery, and productivity performance.
• Collaborate effectively with operators, supervisors, and support personnel to meet production goals.
• Use both standard and metric measuring tools accurately to verify dimensions and specifications.
• Operate power and/or hand tools.
• Demonstrate safe operation and proper use of forklift and crane.

Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma/GED required
• Experience: One year of continuous experience in a manufacturing environment operating bending equipment required
• Reading Ability: Must be able to read and understand English

Skills

• Ability to read and interpret work orders, blueprints, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality parts.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to learn new equipment, processes, and manufacturing technologies.
• Perform mechanical equipment troubleshooting according to inspection procedures.
• Maintain high-quality output and on-time delivery in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Provide flexible support across all production areas as needed.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, lift and/or move up to 40 lbs., bend, use hands, and fingers for 8 + hours. (Overtime may be required)