Straw Machine Operator Technician at D&W Fine Pack

We have an immediate opportunity for a Straw Machine Operator Technician. In this function you will operate machinery used in manufacturing high-quality food packaging products.

Starting Pay: $18.00 per hour and up, depending on experience and skills.

Shift Time: 7:00pm – 7:15am (Night shift). This is a 2-2-3 Panama schedule with every other weekend off! 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all plant safety procedures and guidelines.
• Know and follow emergency procedures (power outages, machine failures, workplace injuries, etc.).
• Wear and properly utilize required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Understand and apply Lock-out/Tag-out procedures.
• Immediately report safety concerns, incidents, or workplace injuries to a supervisor.
• Support the plant’s food safety initiatives by completing required training and following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Machine Operation

• Set up, operate, and monitor straw-making machines (extrusion, cutting, printing, and packaging equipment).
• Load raw materials (e.g., plastic resin, paper rolls) into machines.
• Adjust machine settings (speed, temperature, alignment) to meet production specifications.
• Start, stop, and safely reset machines during production.
• Monitor machine performance and feed materials at appropriate speeds.
• Perform basic troubleshooting for minor issues (jams, alignment problems, overheating).
• Report major mechanical failures to the maintenance team or supervisor.

Quality Control

• Inspect products during production for defects such as cracks, uneven lengths, or color inconsistencies.
• Use measuring tools to verify dimensions and ensure compliance with product standards.
• Separate and remove defective or non-conforming products.
• Record quality checks and report nonconformance to supervisor.

Housekeeping & Teamwork

• Keep work area clean, safe, and organized.
• Perform routine cleaning and lubrication of machines.
• Assist coworkers with production tasks as needed.
• Support continuous improvement and efficiency initiatives within the plant.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.
• 2+ years in manufacturing, production, or machine operation.
• Experience with plastics, extrusion, or packaging machinery is a plus.

• Basic mechanical aptitude and ability to operate, adjust, and troubleshoot production equipment.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, production schedules, and safety procedures.

• Knowledge of workplace safety standards and procedures.
• Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or food safety requirements is preferred.
• Ability to correctly use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift materials (typically up to 50 lbs) for extended periods.
• Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Good problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and resolve minor machine issues.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Reliability, punctuality, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

More than a job.  Grow, belong, and make a difference.

At D&W Fine Pack, we don’t just make packaging, we build purpose, pride, and strong teams. Whether you’re launching your career or bringing years of experience, this is a place where you can grow, be supported, and make a real impact. Our culture is built on four core values that guide everything we do:

• Dedicated to Excellence– We hold ourselves to high standards in safety, sustainability, quality, and service.
• Winning with Success– We keep improving to deliver more for our customers and community.
• Focused on Service– We listen, act fast, and support both our customers and each other.
• People with Purpose– We work as one team, showing respect, integrity, and care for all.

 Benefits That Matter

Taking care of our team is a priority. Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Payday is every Friday
• Wellness program
• 401K with company match
• Short & Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical & Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – including counseling, legal advice, childcare referrals and financial planning support
• Safety shoe subsidy and prescription safety glasses discount
• Cancer Expert Now – access to expert consultations for cancer diagnosis and treatment guidance
• And much more!