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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Gluer

💰 $ - $

ManufacturingProductionAssemblyPackaging

🎯 Role Definition

The Gluer is a hands-on production role responsible for operating and maintaining manual and automated glue application equipment to bond, assemble, or seal products and packaging components. This position combines machine operation, visual and instrument inspection, routine maintenance, and adherence to safety and quality standards to ensure consistent, defect-free output at production line speeds. The ideal candidate understands adhesives, cure times and application techniques, reads work orders and specs, troubleshoots machine issues, and collaborates with production, quality, and maintenance teams to meet daily targets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assembler / Production Operator
  • Packaging Operator
  • Machine Operator / Material Handler

Advancement To:

  • Lead Gluer / Senior Gluer
  • Shift Supervisor / Production Team Lead
  • Maintenance Technician / Machine Mechanic
  • Production Manager or Process Engineer (with additional training)

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Inspector
  • Process Improvement / Continuous Improvement Technician
  • Inventory / Materials Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate automated and semi-automated gluing machines and adhesive dispensers to apply hot melt, water-based, or solvent-based adhesives according to production schedules, engineering specifications, and standard operating procedures.
  • Set up, calibrate, and perform changeovers on gluing equipment for different products and production runs, validating glue patterns, bead width, and dispensing rates to match work orders and engineering drawings.
  • Adjust machine settings (temperature, pressure, conveyor speed, pump output) and test adhesive application parameters to optimize bond strength, minimize waste, and ensure consistent part alignment at line speed.
  • Conduct first-piece checks and in-process inspections to verify glue coverage, placement, and curing; document results and stop the line to correct defects when tolerances are exceeded.
  • Read and interpret production orders, product drawings, glue pattern diagrams, and quality specifications to confirm correct adhesives, nozzles, and tooling are in use before commencing production.
  • Perform routine preventive maintenance and basic mechanical repairs on gluing heads, pumps, hoses, and control systems, replacing seals, filters, or nozzles as required to prevent downtime.
  • Troubleshoot intermittent adhesive application issues (sagging, stringing, clogged nozzles, skipping) and collaborate with maintenance or engineering to implement corrective actions and root cause solutions.
  • Monitor adhesive inventory levels, complete material requisitions, and ensure correct adhesives and consumables are staged and labeled to comply with safety and traceability requirements.
  • Maintain accurate production and quality records, including run times, scrap counts, downtime reasons, and corrective actions in paper logs or electronic systems (e.g., MES, SAP).
  • Inspect incoming parts and substrates for cleanliness, dimensional accuracy and suitability for bonding; escalate material defects to Quality or Purchasing to prevent rework or product failures.
  • Ensure adhesives are stored, mixed, and handled following manufacturer recommendations and company safety data sheets (SDS), including correct temperature control and moisture protection.
  • Follow all safety and environmental procedures such as lockout/tagout (LOTO), personal protective equipment (PPE) use, machine guarding, and spill containment when working with hot melts, solvents, or other adhesive systems.
  • Train new gluer operators on machine operation, quality expectations, and safety practices; provide on-the-job coaching to improve throughput and reduce defects.
  • Participate in continuous improvement activities (5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping) to reduce changeover time, lower adhesive consumption, and increase first-pass yield.
  • Work with Quality and Engineering to validate new adhesive formulations, dispense patterns, or process parameters during pilot runs and product launches.
  • Maintain a clean, organized work area free of adhesive buildup; perform daily and weekly cleaning routines on glue nozzles, hoppers, and melting tanks to prevent contamination and blockage.
  • Coordinate with upstream and downstream operations to maintain product flow, resolve packing or alignment issues, and meet shift production targets and customer delivery schedules.
  • Execute quality containment activities when nonconforming product is identified, segregating suspect parts, documenting defects, and completing rework under approved procedures.
  • Operate hand-applicator tools for touch-up or low-volume runs, applying adhesives by hand where machine application is impractical, ensuring consistent bead size and cure.
  • Support validation and qualification activities by collecting process data, performing bond strength tests, and documenting adhesive performance across temperature and substrate variables.
  • Maintain awareness of regulatory and customer-specific requirements (e.g., food-contact adhesives, medical device standards), ensuring all gluing processes remain compliant.
  • Escalate complex mechanical, electrical or PLC-related machine faults to Maintenance and Engineering, providing detailed observations to speed diagnosis and minimize production impact.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in root cause analysis and corrective action planning for recurring adhesive-related defects as part of CAPA processes.
  • Contribute to standard operating procedure (SOP) updates and work instructions for new products and process improvements.
  • Support inventory cycle counts and raw material quality checks for adhesives and bonding supplies.
  • Participate in cross-functional project teams for new product introductions, tooling changes or packaging redesigns that affect gluing operations.
  • Help maintain calibration records for measurement and inspection tools used to verify glue placement and bead size.
  • Shadow maintenance technicians during major repairs to learn preventative and corrective maintenance strategies for gluing systems.
  • Provide feedback to procurement on preferred adhesives, nozzles and consumables that enhance yield or lower total cost of ownership.
  • Support workplace safety audits and contribute to continuous improvement of hazard controls around hot melt and solvent handling.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient operation of hot melt, cold glue, and adhesive dispensing equipment, including glue guns, nozzles, and automated dispensing heads.
  • Adhesive chemistry awareness: understanding of hot melt, EVA, polyurethane, water-based and solvent systems and their cure/setting behaviors.
  • Machine setup and changeover expertise, including adjusting temperature, pressure, pump speed, and nozzle geometry for consistent application.
  • Hands-on preventive maintenance skills: replacing nozzles, seals, filters, and performing routine cleaning to prevent clogs and maintain throughput.
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, glue pattern diagrams, work orders, and quality specifications.
  • Experience with quality inspection tools and techniques (visual inspection, calipers, micrometers) and first-article inspection procedures.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude and familiarity with pneumatics, hydraulics, and electrical safety (ability to communicate issues to maintenance/engineering).
  • Data recording and production reporting experience, including use of MES, SAP or shop-floor logs to capture scrap, run-time and defect data.
  • Knowledge of LOTO, PPE use, and safety protocols for handling hot adhesives and solvents; familiarity with SDS documentation.
  • Basic math and measurement skills for setting bead sizes, calculating adhesive quantities, and verifying tolerances.
  • Experience with lean manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen) and continuous improvement methodologies.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and a quality-first mindset to detect subtle glue defects and prevent downstream failures.
  • Good communication skills to coordinate with operators, supervisors, maintenance, and quality teams.
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting mentality: methodical approach to diagnose and resolve application or equipment issues.
  • Team player who supports shift goals, assists co-workers during changeovers, and contributes to a collaborative shop-floor environment.
  • Time management and reliability: punctual, meets production schedules, and effectively prioritizes tasks under deadline pressure.
  • Adaptability to changing production mixes, priorities, and process improvements.
  • Instructional ability to train and mentor new operators on safe and efficient gluing practices.
  • Commitment to continuous improvement with openness to feedback and process optimization.
  • Strong record-keeping habits and procedural compliance for traceability and audit readiness.
  • Customer-focused orientation, understanding how production quality impacts downstream customers and shipment acceptance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate or technical training in manufacturing, industrial maintenance, or adhesives technology.
  • Certifications in industrial adhesives, hot melt handling, or relevant machine operation training.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Mechanical or Industrial Maintenance
  • Packaging Technology
  • Chemical Technology (adhesives/adhesion science)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1 to 5 years of hands-on experience in production, packaging, or assembly roles, with progressive responsibility operating glue application equipment.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years specifically operating gluing/adhesive dispensing equipment in packaging, converting, or assembly environments; demonstrated track record of meeting production rates and quality targets.
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