What is an assembly worker?

Assembly workers, also known as Assemblers and Assembly Line workers, are responsible for following schematics and putting together the parts of a product. Detailed assembly work may also be called sub-assembly. In general the duties may include:

• Preparing work area
• Checking blueprints, schematics, or templates
• Using hands or specialized tools to assemble components
• Checking parts for any defects or non-conformities

Equally important is keeping areas clean of debris to maintain a safe work environment. Additionally, assemblers may help keep manufacturing lines moving smoothly by sending finished components to the next department for packaging and shipping.

What is a fabricator?

Fabricators are more technically skilled, responsible for manufacturing products from raw materials. Although fabricators do weld, they also cut, bend, and assemble metal parts, separating them from welders. In any case. fabricator responsibilities include:

• Using blueprints and product schematics to plan production and understand assembly instructions
• Verifying dimensions and product specifications
• Operating heavy machinery safely
• Welding, cutting, bending, and assembling parts to create finished product per specifications
• Ensuring product quality, checking for any defects, nonconformities, and testing product functionality.

In addition to their other duties, fabricators also perform stress testing to reduce potential recalls, maintain records, and communicate with supervisors and customers as needed to ensure that the products meet required needs.

What is a forklift operator?

Forklift Operators perform a variety of duties and tasks using different types of lift machines. In general the duties may include:

• Loading and unloading materials and products
• Transporting raw materials to production sites
• Stacking pallets or crates
• Locating and moving pallets or crates
• Identifying damaged shipments

Of course, operators must maintain safe driving habits at all times. Additionally, because forklift operators often work in shipping & receiving departments, they may also work closely with material handlers and use pallet jacks to help move materials. Some common types of lifts include:

• Crown Lift
• Clamp Lift
• Pole Hyster
• Raymond Lift
• Reach Lift
• Royster Lift
• Scissor Lift
• Sit-Down & Stand-Up Lifts

What is a warehouse associate?

General warehouse associates perform a wide range of duties to support the company’s warehouse operations. As such, warehouse associate responsibilities typically include:

• Receiving and unloading trucks delivering goods
• Processing, packaging, and shipping orders
• Organizing stock and maintaining inventory
• Inspecting products for any damage or defects
• Handling materials using forklifts, hand trucks, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment
• Assisting team members in shipping & receiving and machining departments
• Keeping the warehouse and/or shipping yard clean and organized

Of course, warehouse associates are invaluable team players! Because the warehouse associate performs such a wide array of duties, they help keep the warehouse operations running efficiently.

What is a machine operator?

Machine Operators perform a variety of duties and tasks using different types of machines. In general the duties may include:

• Setting up
• Operating and monitoring
• Troubleshooting and performing preventative maintenance
• Checking finished products for non-conformities

Equally important is keeping areas clean of debris to maintain a safe work environment. Additionally, machine operators may operate one or more machines at any given time. Some common types of machines include:

• CNC Machines
• Lathes
• Plastic Injection Molding Machines
• Drilling Machines
• Laser Machines

What is a machinist?

Machinists are responsible for manufacturing precision parts, specialty tools, or repairing tools. In general the duties may include:

• Setting up, operating, and maintaining lathes, milling machines, and drilling machines
• Reviewing drawings, blueprints, and instructions
• Taking precise measurements for cutting or shaping
• Tool and Die casting
• Troubleshooting and performing preventative maintenance
• Checking finished products for non-conformities

Equally important is keeping areas clean of debris to maintain a safe work environment. Additionally, machinists may create programs in CAD or AutoCAD to design tools and products. Some common tools and equipment used by machinists include:

• CNC Machines
• Lathes and Milling Machines
• Calipers and Micrometers
• Drills and Grinding Wheels

What is a material handler?

Material Handlers help to organize storage areas, maintain inventory, and move products as needed. Because material handlers are often moving products by hand, they require some physical strength to lift and carry goods. In general, material handler responsibilities typically include:

• Loading and unloading packages
• Organizing stock using forklifts, pallet jacks, hand trucks, cranes, and other warehouse equipment
• Pulling material to fulfill orders
• Wrapping orders and place them on pallets or trucks for delivery
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying bulky or heavy materials
• Assisting team members such as helping machine operators load and unload materials on machines
• Standing and/or walking for long periods while on duty

Additionally, material handlers help keep areas clean of debris to maintain safe work conditions for everyone in the warehouse or manufacturing facility.

What is a non-CDL driver?

Non-CDL Drivers are responsible for transporting goods and/or materials to a specific destination within a designated timeframe. They are limited to the type of vehicle they can operate, not exceeding 8000 pounds. Non-CDL driver responsibilities include:

• Loading and unloading vehicle
• Collecting and delivering shipments timely
• Working with a driver helper to lift, carry, and move heavy shipments
• Operating vehicle safely and following all state driving laws

Furthermore, the goods a driver will transport depends greatly on the employer but could include items such as furniture, donations, building materials, or even shuttling people or groceries.

What is an order picker?

Order Pickers, also called Order Pullers, Order Fulfillers, and Order Picker Packers, work in warehouses completing customer orders. In general the duties may include:

• Receiving incoming orders
• Locating products in the warehouse
• Retrieving correct quantity, size, etc.
• Packaging completed orders
• Re-stocking inventory as needed

Equally important is keeping areas clean of debris to maintain a safe work environment. Additionally, order picker packers may sometimes use equipment like forklifts or pallet jacks.

What is a quality control inspector?

Quality Control Inspectors, also called Quality Controllers and Quality Technician, check incoming and outgoing materials and products to ensure that they meet specifications without damage or defects. In general, quality inspectors tend to work in production and manufacturing environments, such as in assembly and product testing. The duties of the quality inspector may include:

• Inspect, test, and measure products
• Use tools such as tape measures, gauges, micrometers, and calipers
• Collect data and maintain detailed records
• Monitor operations and communicate any shortcomings with supervisors

What is a shipping and receiving clerk?

Shipping & Receiving Clerks are responsible to managing inventory levels and ensuring products and materials are sent and received appropriately. In particular, shipping & receiving clerks responsibilities include:

• Loading and unloading trucks
• Organizing stock using forklifts, pallet jacks, hand trucks, cranes, and other warehouse equipment
• Maintaining accurate shipping records, printing labels and weighing packages
• Inspecting for damaged packages and products
• Assembling containers and crates, pack goods to be shipped, and prepare shipping instructions
• Engaging with customers, vendors, and drivers to keep all parties informed of delivery statuses

Additionally, shipping & receiving clerks may use ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Management) to track deliveries and inventory.

What is a welder?

Welders are responsible joining multiple pieces of metal together using specialized equipment. Note that a welders are different from fabricators, who do weld but also cut, bend, and assemble metal parts. Regardless, welder responsibilities include:

• Using blueprints and/or design sketches prior to starting projects to ensure the proper dimensions and tolerance levels
• Determining type of gauge of steel (or other metal) to be welded making appropriate adjustments
• Welding metal parts using jigs and clamps to hold the parts in proper position
• Updating and maintaining all required documentation

There are multiple types of welding, but the most common in manufacturing are:

• MIG Welding
  Often considered beginner friendly, this uses either a bare wire to fuse thin pieces of metal or flux core, which is useful for outdoor welding
• Stick Welding
  Also known as Arc Welding, this method uses a stick electrode welding rod
• TIG Welding
  A very versatile but more challenging welding technique. TIG welders use both hands, one to feed the rod while the other hand holds the TIG torch. This welding method is useful for most conventional metals including aluminum, steel, nickel alloys, copper alloys, cobalt, and titanium

In addition to their other duties, welders need to maintain a high level of safety, maintain clean work areas and properly disposing of hazardous waste materials.