Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hopper Attendant

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a diligent and safety-focused Hopper Attendant to become a vital part of our operations team. In this essential hands-on role, you will serve as the cornerstone of our material handling process, ensuring the consistent and efficient flow of bulk materials through our advanced hopper and conveyor systems. You will be tasked with a wide range of duties, from loading raw materials and monitoring equipment performance to performing preventative maintenance and upholding the highest standards of safety and cleanliness. If you are a proactive individual with a strong mechanical inclination and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, we invite you to apply for this opportunity to make a significant impact on our production capabilities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer
Warehouse Associate
Production Worker

Advancement To:

Lead Hopper Attendant / Team Lead
Production Supervisor
Materials Coordinator
Plant Operator

Lateral Moves:

Forklift Operator
Quality Control Inspector
Maintenance Technician Apprentice

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Diligently operate and monitor automated and manual hopper systems to ensure a continuous and accurately measured flow of bulk materials to production lines.
Safely and efficiently load various bulk materials, such as powders, grains, aggregates, or plastic pellets, into hoppers using equipment like forklifts, front-end loaders, or pneumatic systems.
Precisely adjust equipment settings, including flow rates, feed speeds, and gate openings, to meet specific production requirements and material specifications.
Conduct thorough routine inspections of all related equipment, including hoppers, augers, conveyors, belts, and agitators, to identify potential issues before they cause downtime.
Perform basic preventative maintenance tasks, such as lubrication, cleaning of mechanical parts, and tightening of fittings, to ensure optimal equipment longevity and performance.
Proactively identify and resolve material flow issues, including clearing jams, blockages, or bridges within the hopper and associated conveyance systems.
Maintain meticulous and accurate logs detailing material usage, batch numbers, inventory levels, and production output to support inventory management and traceability.
Strictly adhere to all company and regulatory safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and machine guarding procedures.
Communicate effectively and professionally with machine operators, supervisors, and maintenance personnel to coordinate material flow and report operational status.
Systematically collect material samples at designated intervals and deliver them to the quality control laboratory for analysis to ensure product specifications are met.
Operate heavy mobile equipment, such as forklifts, skid steers, or front-end loaders, to transport materials from storage areas to the production floor.
Maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and organization within the work area, including sweeping up spills and properly storing tools and equipment.
Actively assist in the safe and orderly execution of equipment shutdown and startup procedures during shift changes, maintenance periods, or product changeovers.
Apply systematic troubleshooting techniques to diagnose and resolve minor operational problems with hopper equipment, minimizing production interruptions.
Constantly monitor control panels, gauges, dials, and digital readouts to verify that equipment is operating within normal parameters.
Immediately report any equipment malfunctions, process deviations, or potential safety hazards to the shift supervisor for prompt resolution.
Securely connect and disconnect transfer lines, hoses, and couplings for the transfer of materials between silos, trucks, and hoppers.
Meticulously verify that the correct type and grade of material are being loaded and used for each production run, preventing cross-contamination.
Actively participate in all scheduled safety meetings, hazard identification programs, and ongoing training sessions to foster a culture of safety.
Manage the proper segregation and disposal of waste materials, scrap, and by-products in accordance with environmental regulations and company policies.
Consistently wear and properly maintain all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hard hats, steel-toed boots, and respirators.
Accurately document and report key production data, downtime, and operational activities at the conclusion of each shift.

Secondary Functions

Assist maintenance teams during more extensive repairs, equipment overhauls, or new installations.
Participate in continuous improvement projects aimed at enhancing process efficiency, reducing waste, and improving safety.
Train new team members on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols for hopper operations.
Cross-train in adjacent production or material handling roles to provide flexible operational support as directed by management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven experience operating material handling equipment such as conveyors, augers, and pneumatic transfer systems.
Certification and proficiency in operating a forklift, front-end loader, or other mobile heavy equipment.
Basic mechanical aptitude for performing minor maintenance, adjustments, and troubleshooting on industrial machinery.
Strong understanding and practical application of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety procedures.
Ability to accurately read and interpret information from gauges, control panels, and digital interfaces.
Competency in using a variety of hand and power tools for repairs and preventative maintenance tasks.
Knowledge of bulk material properties and flow characteristics (e.g., angle of repose, bridging).
Experience with basic inventory tracking, data entry, and maintaining operational logs.
Familiarity with industrial safety standards and regulations (e.g., OSHA).
Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 pounds, and work in environments with varying temperatures and noise levels.
Experience with automated control systems (e.g., HMI, PLC) is highly desirable.
Skill in conducting thorough routine equipment inspections and documenting findings.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
Unwavering commitment to following safety rules and protocols.
Strong verbal communication and teamwork skills.
Effective problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
High degree of reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Adaptability to changing production demands and priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or technical certificate in a related field such as industrial maintenance, process technology, or manufacturing.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Industrial Technology
Manufacturing Processes

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, agricultural, or industrial environment.

Preferred:

Direct experience as a Hopper Attendant, Material Handler, or Machine Operator within a bulk material processing facility (e.g., food production, plastics, cement, or chemical manufacturing).