About Lawrence Equipment, Inc.

Lawrence Equipment is an innovator in the manufacturing of state-of-the-art equipment for the flatbread and snack food industries. Since 1976, we have been dedicated to continuous improvement and excellence, holding numerous patents that reflect our commitment to quality and innovation.

About the role

The Metal Polisher is responsible for finishing, polishing, and buffing metal components to specified surface finishes and dimensional tolerances, using a variety of manual and powered tools. This position supports the production of food processing equipment by ensuring metal parts meet quality, safety, and customer specifications.

What you'll do

• Read and interpret job travelers, work orders, blueprints, and technical drawings to determine required finishes, tolerances, and procedures.
• Perform grinding, deburring, sanding, polishing, and buffing on stainless steel and other metals using hand tools, angle grinders, belt sanders, rotary tools, polishing wheels, and other equipment.
• Select appropriate abrasives, compounds, pads, and tools based on material type and required finish (e.g., #4 sanitary finish, mirror finish, brushed finish).
• Prepare surfaces by removing weld spatter, scale, burrs, and imperfections to achieve smooth, consistent finishes, including on welds, edges, and complex geometries.
• Inspect work in process and finished parts for surface defects, uniformity, dimensions, and conformance to quality standards, using visual inspection and basic measuring tools (e.g., calipers, rulers, gauges).
• Handle, move, and position parts safely using hoists, carts, racks, and other material‑handling methods to avoid damage and injury.
• Follow established work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety guidelines, and quality standards specific to Lawrence Equipment’s products and processes.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in clean, safe, and orderly condition; perform basic preventive maintenance (e.g., change belts, clean filters, replace pads).
• Properly use and maintain required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection, gloves, respirators, and protective clothing, in accordance with company policy and OSHA standards.
• Work collaboratively with welders, fabricators, and quality personnel to resolve surface‑finish issues and improve processes.
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety hazards, and non‑conforming product to supervision promptly.
• Accurately record work performed, materials used, and time spent in accordance with company reporting requirements (e.g., ERP/time tracking, quality logs).
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet production and quality objectives.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience in metal polishing, grinding, fabrication, or related metal finishing work in a manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience working with stainless steel and/or equipment used in food processing or similar sanitary applications is a plus (if applicable to your operations).
• Basic understanding of metalworking and finishing processes (e.g., grinding, sanding, buffing, deburring).
• Ability to safely operate hand and power tools used in metal finishing.
• Ability to read and interpret basic technical drawings, work orders, and finish specifications.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to produce consistent, high‑quality finishes on repetitive and custom work.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and reach for extended periods during the work shift.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and parts, typically up to [50] pounds, using proper lifting techniques and/or mechanical assistance as required.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions, including gripping, holding, and manipulating tools and parts.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with noise, dust, fumes, and other typical industrial conditions, while using appropriate PPE.
• Visual acuity sufficient to detect surface imperfections and verify finishes.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

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