Slidegate Operator

Do you have a working knowledge of manufacturing tools and procedures? Are you detail-oriented with the ability to organize and prioritize? Do you like operating heavy mobile equipment? Join us in our cultural and digital transformation to build the future and the Gerdau We Are Creating.

$19.72 an hour and after 90 days increases to $24.59 an hr, plus biweekly production bonus, shift premiums, and 354 annual hours of built in overtime.

We Have: 

• A strong global presence with steel mills that transform millions of metric tons of raw material to produce steel beams, flat-rolled steel, merchant bar, rebar, spikes, and wire used by the automotive industry, appliance, construction, machinery, and equipment industries.    
• A culture that welcomes diversity, encourages innovation and creates products that serve humanity.  
• An environment that values teamwork, safety, and sustainability. 
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the belief that we can create a better future for our employees and our global community by investing in people, processes, and technology. 

We Offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision Plans – Eligible upon 1st day of hire 
• Health & Dependent Care (Flexible Spending Account) 
• 100% Matching 401K up to 6% 
• Life/Accidental Life Insurance 
• Health Advocate Services 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Career Path System and Training
• An empowering and open culture with the opportunity to grow and create 

You Have: 

• High School Diploma or GED
• Basic computer and math skills
• 1-2 years of industrial/manufacturing experience. Casting and pouring molten metal experience a plus!
• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions
• Ability to use simple specifications, dials, and gauges to regulate electricity and water flow.
• Flexibility to work a rotating 12 hr shift, days, nights, and weekends 
• Ability to climb stairs, climb ladders, reach, squat, tolerate prolonged sitting, standing or walking, balance, bend, operate mobile equipment, crawl, kneel, lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in cramped quarters, heights, extreme temperature conditions.
• Demonstrate the ability and willingness to work as part of a self-directed team with limited supervision. 

Your Purpose:

Perform all operations necessary in the preparation and use of slide gates and ladles involved in the Melt Shop functions of tapping, refining, pouring, and casting heats.  Coordinate transportation of ladles in and out of the shop to ensure the proper amount is available.  Follow prescribed methods, procedures, instructions, and sequence of operations.

Your Work:

• Work involves a complete range of duties that are highly repetitive and routine in nature to properly and effectively set up ladles to efficiently pour molten metal. 
• Set up slide gates.  Replace ladle nozzles, patch well block, porous plug, slide gate refractories, and stir pipe when necessary. 
• Inspect slide gate refractories, mechanical components, and nozzles for defects and wear.  Turn, replace, clean, and lubricate the slide gate as required. 
• Inspect ladle lining and handling accessories, including ladle preheater.  Check porous plugs with gas for flow and wear and make changes or repairs, patch block as needed. 
• Inspects hydraulic fittings and hoses and replace them when needed. 
• Operate ladle preheaters, check ladle temperatures, and keep ladles properly heated for furnace tapping. 
• Direct ladle transfer movement and placement for furnace tapping. 
• Add sand mixture to the ladle as needed to ensure the highest percentage possible of free opens.
• Use oxygen lance to melt out skulls from the ladle, clean out ladle nozzle bores and porous lug, and to lance open slide gates as required.
• Perform and document down day activities.
• Operate mobile equipment to lift and transport materials including loaders, makeup cart, brick-lift, and forklifts.
• Ensure daily preventative maintenance is performed on vehicles/mobile equipment to include fueling, cleaning, checking, and adding fluid as needed.

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. 

If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or recruiting@gerdau.com