Shape What’s Next in Packaging — Thermoplastic Film Extrusion Technician
Location: Chattanooga, TN
A day in this role
You arrive to a clean, organized cell, review the line targets, and power up the extruder and thermoformer. With packers, Leads, Supervisors, Maintenance, and Quality by your side, you bring a safety-first mindset (quality right behind it) and keep production humming to plan. You’ll rotate across multiple lines, complete line paperwork accurately, and jump into continuous improvement activities that make tomorrow’s shift better than today’s. When issues surface, you escalate promptly and keep the team informed. Breaks are for phones — when the line is running, your focus is on the product and the team.
Why Novolex
We’re a leader in food, beverage, and specialty packaging for foodservice, delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery, retail, and industrial customers. Our know-how spans resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum, and more — delivering 120 product categories across 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs. We back that scale with the care of a close-knit plant team.
Our sustainability promise
Our vision is built on three pillars — products, operations, and people — guiding wide-ranging initiatives that power our growth and future.
Pay & schedule
- Compensation: $17.00–$21.00 per hour, paid weekly (based on experience)
- Shifts: 2-2-3 schedule — Days 6:00 a.m.–6:15 p.m. and Nights 6:00 p.m.–6:15 a.m.
What you’ll do
- Start up, shut down, and perform basic troubleshooting on extruders, thermoformers, automation, and auxiliary equipment to standard.
- Run assigned equipment to spec and help operate multiple lines as needed.
- Complete all required production documentation accurately and on time.
- Collaborate with packers, Leads, Supervisors, Maintenance, and Quality to meet customer requirements.
- Participate in continuous improvement projects and share ideas that boost safety, quality, and throughput.
- Work with minimal supervision; escalate problems per established procedures.
- Strive to meet or exceed daily line targets without compromising safety or quality.
- Support teammates with training and assistance — one team, shared results.
- Keep the work area clean and organized; personal cell phone use is limited to breaks or downtime.
- Other tasks as needed to support team success.
Safety is how we work
- Champion a strong safety culture and safe workplace behaviors.
- Stay situationally aware and use all required PPE for each task.
- Follow all safety procedures for every job you perform.
- Maintain housekeeping standards throughout the shift.
- Immediately report safety concerns, hazards, near misses, or injuries to on-shift supervision.
What you bring
- High school diploma preferred.
- Proven ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member.
- Clear verbal and interpersonal communication; steady approach to conflict resolution.
- Flexibility for overtime and off-shifts as needed.
- Comfort standing for 12-hour shifts and wearing required PPE.
- Reliable, on-time attendance to keep the line on track.
- Must be able to pass a drug screen and background check
Preferred experience & equipment
- Plastic extrusion experience
- Thermoforming experience
- Familiarity with extrusion machines
Benefits that back you
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus resources for mental, physical, and financial well-being (programs may vary by location).
- Community engagement through our Focused Giving Program, supporting sustainability and hunger-relief missions.
- Growth through MyLearning, tuition reimbursement (Non-Union), and a robust LMS with company and industry curricula.
Equal opportunity & accommodations
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact
myHRservices@novolex.com.