What does an extruder operator do?
An extruder operator's work is essential to industries such as automobile parts manufacturing and aerospace machine manufacturing. They control the machines that make and shape thermoplastic materials. They may also be responsible for training new staff to work on these machines. They also do maintenance on their tools, ensure products meet specifications, and create reports for their supervisors.
Extruder operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real extruder operator resumes:
- Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
- Preform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and adjustment/modification of extrusion processes as necessary to maintain production standards.
- Doff lines, check and QA materials.
- Train other operators on SPC and process improvements.
- Operate extruder, vast knowledge in ISO, quality inspection.
- Inspect cable in process for resistivity and wall thickness, document on SPC charts.
- Operate a machine that make PVC pipe, produce and package a certain amount of pipe each shift.
- Ensure quality of PVC by measuring and recording data and making adjustments (as needed) to equipment.
- Measure product dimensions using micrometers and calipers
- Extrude color concentrate per customer requirements using calipers and computerize color testing equipment.
- Fill in supervisor, forklift certify, safety quality control experience, plastic extrusion, shipping/warehouse
- Perform routine breakdowns, cleaning and rebuilding of extruders and relate equipment to prevent contamination.
- Develop standard quality program and start ISO certification process and help develop a profit sharing and incentive program.
- Perform daily preventive maintenance and cleaning of equipment to reduce potential downtime and ensure the highest quality operating efficiency of extruders.
- Use of PPE equipment steel toe boots, safety glasses, gloves and chainsaw chaps.
Extruder operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Extruder Operators are proficient in Extrusion, Quality Checks, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Extruder Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Extrusion, 13%
Trained other operators on extrusion techniques, troubleshooting, manufacturing techniques and quality control
- Quality Checks, 7%
Perform quality checks to ensure manufacturer and customer specifications are met.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Performed maintenance of machinery using hand tools to include drills, pneumatic wrenches, grinders, hammers, and files.
- Extruders, 6%
Operated extruders for production of quality finished goods.
- Math, 5%
Produced and maintained accurate documentation for production reports using math and computer skills.
- Safety Standards, 5%
Monitor incoming raw materials and packing components to meet food safety standards.
Most extruder operators use their skills in "extrusion," "quality checks," and "hand tools" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential extruder operator responsibilities here:
Computer skills. One of the key soft skills for an extruder operator to have is computer skills. You can see how this relates to what extruder operators do because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Additionally, an extruder operator resume shows how extruder operators use computer skills: "complete all paperwork and enter information into computer system. "
Physical strength. extruder operators are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to extruder operator responsibilities, because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." An extruder operator resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "perform quality inspection of ingots (physically & intrinsically) prior to shipping to wafering. "
Mechanical skills. For certain extruder operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of an extruder operator rely on this skill, as "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what extruder operators do: "initiate troubleshooting and solving mechanical problems using hand tools. "
The three companies that hire the most extruder operators are:
- Parker Hannifin24 extruder operators jobs
- Spartech Plastics LLC9 extruder operators jobs
- Optical Cable8 extruder operators jobs
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Compare different extruder operators
Extruder operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an extruder operator are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "extruders," "math," and "calipers." On the other hand, a job as a machine operator/forklift operator requires skills like "drive forklift," "load trucks," "cnc," and "electric pallet jack." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Machine operator/forklift operators earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $36,711. On the other hand, extruder operators are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $39,961.machine operator/forklift operators tend to reach similar levels of education than extruder operators. In fact, machine operator/forklift operators are 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Extruder operator vs. Technical machine operator
A numerical control operator is responsible for monitoring machinery and managing computer-generated equipment to produce tools and components from various mechanical resources. Numerical control operators must have extensive knowledge with the technology and mechanical industry to perform basic troubleshooting and detect malfunctions during operations. A numerical control operator duties' also include inspecting equipment setup and finished products, ensuring high-quality parts, reviewing blueprints, following client's specifications for making adjustments, and adhering to the safety guidelines and procedures required by the business.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that extruder operator responsibilities requires skills like "hand tools," "extruders," "calipers," and "pet." But a technical machine operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety regulations," "cnc," "continuous improvement," and "gmp."
On average, technical machine operators earn a lower salary than extruder operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical machine operators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $35,834. Whereas extruder operators have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $39,961.technical machine operators earn similar levels of education than extruder operators in general. They're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Extruder operator vs. Lining machine operator
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, extruder operators are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "extruders," "math," and "calipers." But a lining machine operator is more likely to have skills like "cnc," "gmp," "haccp," and "safety regulations."
Lining machine operators earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $39,210. Extruder operators earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $39,961.lining machine operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to extruder operators. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Extruder operator vs. Numerical control operator
Types of extruder operator
Updated January 8, 2025
