Production Tech

Description:

The Production Technician role encompasses all direct labor positions within the Assembly department. Technicians are responsible for following written and oral instructions to perform a variety of assembly operations to assemble small parts into functioning knives. This may include Laser/Engrave, Serrate, Sharpening, Clean/Box, Prep, Material Handling, Taumel, Assembly, and other processes within the Assembly department. This role performs fittings and alignments to ensure free action of moveable parts. The Technician also performs cosmetic inspection of the components as they are assembling in order to ensure a high-quality standard. Once inspected, the Technician tests the knife to ensure functionality and performs minor troubleshooting of any problems. This includes meeting established production, quality, and performance metrics and communicating issues immediately to their lead or process technicians if an issue is to arise. The Production Technician participates in continuous improvement activities as assigned. Technicians may be assigned additional responsibilities, including support of engineering in process development, troubleshooting, validation, and training of fellow operators in skills and functions they’ve mastered. This position offers a structured, skill-based development path with five progressive levels, providing opportunities for growth.

Production Tech I - Entry level position characterized by manual operations and basic equipment operations. Familiarity with basic systems (MES Lite) and processes such as quality, safety, speed, and standard work interpretation. All assembly, boxing, and prep functions. Entry level through basic mechanisms such as manual axis lock, fixed blades, push button auto, and assist. Must be able to build independently 50 knives/day and at box, must be able to process 250 knives/day. Quality, safety, and speed should be satisfactory.

Production Tech II - Intermediate position characterized by level I mastery and continued qualifications at an entry level in Assembly. Can build all basic assemblies independently. Understanding of collaborative assembly. In addition, must acquire competency in 2 or more of either taumel, hydro press, or material handling and must be able to meet cell takt times at collaborative. All assembly to include collaborative, boxing, and prep functions, material handling, taumel, hydro press. Intermediate level through mechanisms such as manual axis lock, fixed blades, push button auto, OTF's and assist. Must be able to build independently 65 knives/day, must meet stated takt times at collaborative, and at box must be able to process 430 knives/day. Demonstrated proficiency in Assembly Material Handling. Quality, safety, and speed should be satisfactory.

Production Tech III - Senior operators for Assembly. Entry level for laser engrave, serrate, sharpening, CBN, and buffing. Demonstrated proficiency with all mechanisms and ability to meet or exceed stated production goals and/or entry into one or more of the following programs - completion of the cleaning training and associated safety trainings, Laser Engrave training program, enrollment in Sharpening training program, displayed competency on at least 1 serrate machine and completion of required trainings. Proficient at building all mechanism varieties. Able to build independently 80 knives/day and meet stated takt

times at collaborative. Cleaners should be able to process 430 knives/day. Avg. uptime on laser or serrate of 60% Familiarity with appropriate sharpening/buffing techniques. Must be able to sharpen 120 knives/day or buff 240 knives/day. CBN sharpening 60/day and CBN buffing 120/day. Quality, safety, and speed should be satisfactory.

Production Tech IV – Intermediate position for Sharpening/Buffing and Laser/Serrate operators. Demonstrated proficiency with