Heavy Equipment Operator

The full-time position of Shredder Operator (Heavy Equipment Operator) reports to the Shredder Team Lead as part of the Quality Team and is responsible for operating the shredder equipment in a professionally and technically correct way with focus on quality in Aurubis Richmond. This includes (but is not limited to): feeding shredders with excavators or wheel loaders, operating, cleaning, and maintaining different shredder equipment and supervising automatic sampling of raw materials. The successful candidate will have proven demonstration of day-to-day operations in operating shredder equipment (preferably electronic scraps) paired with experience in handling mobile equipment, is committed to quality and accuracy in performing assigned tasks, used to work in shifts, and is focused on safety and environmental topics.

The position’s focus is the execution, as well as continuous optimization of workflows within sample preparation with a focus on recycling raw materials for non-ferrous metallurgy. This includes working in a fixed shift in operating shredder and other Quality Team equipment for all required materials while maximizing quality, balancing costs, and minimizing risks. This role supports the Quality Team Manager in establishing operational excellence in Aurubis Richmond.

Professionally correct execution of material, pre-processing of raw materials, including operating Quality Team equipment, mainly shredders.

Execution of a limited number of activities in the material pre-processing department, such as, but not limited to, feeding, operating, cleaning, and maintaining various industrial shredder equipment.

Secure separation of different batches to avoid contaminations.

Feed shredders with excavators or wheel loaders; handle material with forklifts, high lift stackers or cranes from time to time. Must be able to drive listed mobile equipment.

Supervise automatic sampling of raw materials to generate representative samples.

Inspection of the sampling material for hazards, e.g., hollow bodies with water inclusion, ammunition, etc. after training.

Perform basic calculations on different contents of materials.

Operate sampling equipment such as, but not limited to, heating cabinets and scales.

Register material flows in corresponding IT-systems.

Execute stock taking activities in respective areas of responsibility.

Professionally handling claim management.

Comply with company instructions e.g., on health & safety, and environmental protection.

Comply with company rules and regulations.

Economic behavior about material and time expenditure.

Provision of work equipment.

Prepare workstations for e.g., maintenance (tasks).

Know and understand the processes and procedures in the direct field of activity.

Assure quality and actively participate in continuous improvement programs.

Proactive exchange of information with Operators and Manager (process/condition of aggregates).

Coordination and communication of material flows and assessments within and across department.

Must successfully communicate, interact, and interface with international and domestic employees of various levels regarding operational and non-operational topics. Examples of roles include (but not limited to): sampling, logistics, laboratory, sample preparation, engineers, production, maintenance, customer services, and purchasing.

Contact with external suppliers or their representatives, internal customers, purchasing and customer service department, to identify, research, analyze, and resolve challenges.

Act in an industrial environment with high level of compliancy rules (safety, environment, quality).

Be aware of and follow performance measurement & KPI tracking for operative responsible area.

Establish corrective actions for underperforming metrics to ensure performance standards are met.

Staff/Personnel

Attend regular performance and goal meetings with superior.

Induction and instruction of (new) employees, apprentices, trainees, etc.

Ensure the transfer of knowledge across departments and generations.

Successfully use established standards to work at full potential yet take opportunities to recommend process’ for review which may have more of an impact.

Build a vivid and open feedback culture including transparent communication.

Motivate, inspire, and educate colleagues and employees; encourage individuals to give genuine feedback and to be involved in company objectives.

Build trust and a positive working relationship with individuals.

Understand and perform according to Aurubis values.

Execute tasks and follow clear expectations for position.

Ensure conformance to published policies, programs, systems, or procedures and ensure procedural requirements are understood and followed in respective area of responsibility.

Identify and report to superior any required training or resources essential for the operations section to function. Implement guidance regarding ethical behavior and anti-fraud activities throughout the division.

Safety

Attend monthly departmental safety meeting.

Comply with internal guidelines and derivation of measures regarding occupational safety, environmental protection, quality assurance, etc.

Ensure safety and order in one’s own work environment.

Ensure all relevant documents and trainings are current for compliant operations.

Participate in behavioral safety inspections at other facilities and ensure they can be conducted in own department.

Report and communicate on LTI, monthly accidents and accident numbers in Sample Preparation Team and ensure qualified communication and follow up on accidents.

Act as a role model to all Aurubis employees; raise awareness and motivate team members to high levels of safety behavior.

Adhere to, identify, make recommendations, assisting with correcting any unsafe conditions within the company along with owning the documentation process for the SP&L department.

Act swiftly on all reported safety issues, reporting’s, and work with EHS by taking all measures needed to mitigate any/all environmental, health, and/or safety risks.

Conduct needed EHS audits, risk assessments and self-assessments and report results on a regular basis. Work with EHS team to ensure controls are implemented to address risk and non-compliance. Train others to audit/assess key areas.

From time to time, assist the safety department in interacting with OSHA/EPA/EPD regarding formal complaints and inspections.

Environmental Protection

Support Manager in central operator responsibility for Sample Preparation facilities.

Ensure and monitor facilities in assigned area of responsibility can be and are operated in an environmentally sound manner through segregated and appropriate division of duties in the department.

Maintain active contact with the environmental protection department.

Continuous Improvement

Structure, coordinate, monitor, optimize, and document work processes.

Support and contribute a regular review of workflows from an efficiency perspective and development and implementation of optimization measures.

Support and contribute to active benchmarking of processes and data maintenance.

Support the management of projects in Quality Team.

Prepare specifications for projects in assigned areas of responsibility.

High School diploma

Minimum of 3 years practical experience in related heavy equipment operations - shredder, wheel loaders, front end loaders, excavators, etc.

Demonstrated ability to work in and through teams at all levels of the workforce.

Proven work experience in operating sample preparation equipment ideally in an international environment.

Possess driver’s license for at least one of the following: forklifts, wheel loader, excavator, crane.

Deep understanding of processes within sampling of raw metal containing materials.

Basic computer skills (business system, email, Microsoft Office Suite).

Solid knowledge of potentially hazardous materials or practices in the workplace.

Solid knowledge of environmental protection, occupational safety, and labor law standards.

Must be conversant in current DOT and OSHA regulations.

Physical Requirements

Must be willing and physically able to walk/work in, observe and spend time in a smelter environment

Must be willing and physically able to work in intense heat situations. 

Able to sit, stand and walk for varying periods of time in the plant.

Must be able to perform the following: walking, standing, climbing, pulling, and or pushing, carrying, grasping, using hand-to-finger movement, balancing, reaching, twisting, turning, and stooping.

May occasionally be required to reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

Good physical condition with the ability to lift to 50 lbs. occasionally. 

Good hand/eye coordination, motor skills, 20/20 corrected vision and hearing within the normal range. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to all safety needs on the floor or in the office areas. 

Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas. 

Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally, if requested.