Extruder Operator Career

*A job as an Extruder Operator falls under the broader career category of Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic : Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.


Is Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasti the right career path for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it fits one of your top recommended majors!

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasti Career

What skills are required for Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastis?

Importance Skills
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

What knowledge is needed to be an Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plasti?

Importance Knowledge
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Work Styles

Importance Styles
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.