Reel Product Technician

Job Title: Reel Product Technician

Location: Avoca, IA

Salary Compensation: $20.00-$25.00 per hour | $41,600-$52,000 annually (Salary commensurate with experience.)

Work Location: On-Site Only (Not remote or hybrid)

Job Type: Direct Hire

Industry: Manufacturing

Company Size: 100-500 million in annual revenue

Keys to Job: Hands-on assembly using hand/power tools; basic measuring tools; ability to read drawings/blueprints; quality inspection; parts identification; safe material handling; production paperwork; 5S/clean work area; electrical-mechanical aptitude.

Job Description

A growing industrial products operation is seeking a dependable second-shift assembly team member to build, inspect, and prepare engineered reel-style products and related subassemblies. This role is best suited for someone who enjoys hands-on production work, takes pride in clean and accurate assembly, and can follow written instructions, work orders, drawings, and verbal direction in a team-based manufacturing environment.

The position combines mechanical assembly, basic electrical-related assembly tasks, parts identification, measuring, quality checks, material handling, and production documentation. Candidates with previous assembly, shop, industrial equipment, blueprint, drill press, saw, soldering, or hand-tool experience may be a strong fit; however, candidates with strong mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn may also be considered.

Primary Responsibilities

·       Assemble engineered product units and smaller component groups according to drawings, work orders, pack slips, standard procedures, and production instructions.

·       Use hand tools, power tools, measuring devices, small shop equipment, and basic production machines to build, repair, and prepare parts and finished product.

·       Work with tools and equipment that may include drill presses, saws, cable measuring equipment, resistance welding equipment, rivet tools, soldering equipment, heat guns, wire strippers, presses, sockets, wrenches, and other standard production tools.

·       Read and interpret basic engineering prints, assembly drawings, part descriptions, written instructions, and material lists to confirm correct parts, hardware, and assembly sequence.

·       Identify standard and metric hardware, understand basic bolt and socket/wrench relationships, and select the correct materials before and during production.

·       Measure parts and assemblies using tools such as tape measures, calipers, counters, test equipment, scales, continuity testing equipment, and related inspection tools.

·       Perform first-piece, in-process, visual, physical, and final inspections to help ensure completed products meet quality requirements before continued production or shipment.

·       Pull, count, move, label, stack, restock, and stage parts or finished goods carefully to prevent product damage, inventory errors, and workplace injury.

·       Monitor low-stock parts, replenish bins or baskets as needed, and communicate material shortages or production concerns to the appropriate team lead or supervisor.

·       Maintain accurate timecards, work-order notes, process/inspection documentation, pack-slip information, and equipment maintenance records as required.

·       Keep equipment, tools, and work areas clean, orderly, and organized while supporting 5S practices and continuous improvement efforts.

·       Report faulty equipment, defective material, unusual operating conditions, safety concerns, or quality issues promptly.

·       Work safely around moving equipment, production tools, materials, and coworkers while following all safety, environmental, quality, and workplace policies.

·       Participate in team communication, support production goals, and help identify practical ideas to improve quality, efficiency, organization, and workflow.

·       Perform additional related production, assembly, inspection, material handling, or support tasks as assigned.

Experience and Qualifications

·       High school diploma, GED, related hands-on work experience, production training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.

·       One to three years of electrical assembly, mechanical assembly, industrial production, equipment operation, fabrication, shop, or related manufacturing experience is helpful.

·       Ability to use basic measuring tools and follow established work procedures with accuracy and consistency.

·       Ability to read simple instructions, work notes, production paperwork, short correspondence, and basic assembly information.

·       Basic math skills including adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, fractions, decimals, and standard units of measure.

·       Ability to apply common sense to routine production problems and follow detailed written or verbal instructions.

·       Blueprint, assembly drawing, drill press, cut-off saw, soldering, wire handling, hand tool, power tool, or industrial equipment exposure is a plus.

·       Must be quality-minded, dependable, safety-focused, punctual, organized, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a production team.

·       No supervisory responsibility and no license or certification requirement is expected for this role unless otherwise required by the employer.

Work Style and Competencies

The strongest candidates will demonstrate attention to detail, problem-solving ability, willingness to learn, strong attendance, safe work habits, and a practical understanding of how parts, drawings, bills of material, hardware, and customer orders connect to finished production. The role requires a person who can maintain productivity while still protecting quality, documentation accuracy, and workplace safety.

Physical and Work Environment Expectations

·       Regular use of hands, fingers, arms, hand tools, power tools, production equipment, and measuring instruments.

·       Frequent standing or sitting in assigned work areas, with occasional walking, balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, and listening.

·       Must be able to lift and/or move heavy items as required for production work, subject to employer safety rules and any applicable accommodation process.

·       Close vision and the ability to adjust focus are important for inspection, measuring, parts identification, documentation, and assembly accuracy.

·       Work may include occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts; noise is generally moderate to quiet depending on the production area.

Benefits and Employment Terms