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About Heath

Heath Ceramics is a California company making dinnerware and architectural tiles of good and enduring design for 75 years. We are design-led, with the mission of creating products of beauty and integrity, while designing, manufacturing, and running our business in a way that's better for society and our planet. Our products are designed, manufactured, and sold in our two California factories and four showrooms, ensuring accountability in our process, from beginning to end. As a Certified B Corp, we maintain high standards of social responsibility, environmental performance, and transparency. We believe in the benefits of local manufacturing and support a community of people committed to and inspired by the process of designing, making, and sharing. We believe in providing a living wage, full health and welfare benefits, and a place for meaningful work.

Role Summary

The Raw Material Generalist is an important member of the Dinnerware and Tile production teams.  The main daily functions of the role include making glazes, firing kilns, treating waste water and making slip.  This role will report into the Dinnerware Production Manager but will also work closely with several other functions in the business from the design team to the tile team.  It is important to be detail oriented and have the ability to multitask.

Responsibilities

Slip Making

+ Batching fresh manganese clay and casting slip according to recipe requirements

+ Adjusting the rheological properties of the clay body; adjust and balance casting slip using viscometer and specific gravity cup

+ Operating the filter presses, dust collection system, displacement pumps

+ Operating the dust collection system

+ Pressure washing the slipmaking area daily

+ Maintaining the proportions between fresh and reclaimed clay

+ Batch casting slips, supply slip caster with slip, and recycle casting scrap

+ Collecting scrap clay from for recycling

Gas and Electric Kiln Firing

+ Documenting the firing process and taking instrument readings

+ Measuring and recording kiln firing results

+ Maintaining the burners on a daily basis

+ Carefully monitoring the product in the bisque kiln and correcting any quality control issues

+ Supports annual kiln maintenance

Glaze Making

+ Learning the basic glaze formulas, materials, and the order in which they are added to the glaze recipes

+ Batching the glaze according to specific recipes

+ Measuring viscosity and specific gravity using the correct equipment

+ Adjusting basic rheological properties including viscosity and specific gravity

+ Understanding screen selection (60 mesh, 80 mesh, or 120 mesh) for base glazes

+ Preparing and firing test samples for glaze batches

+ Maintaining glaze storage area at a high standard of safety and cleanliness

+ Basic understanding of the firing and quality control processes

+ Preparing glazes to specification for dinnerware and tile production

+ Coordinating with key dinnerware production employees to maintain optimal quantities of prepared glazes

Qualifications and Experience

+ Previous Ceramics Raw Goods or Glaze Making a plus

+ Superior time management skills

+ Ability to follow strict safety guidelines

+ Work consistently and precisely

+ Desire to work in a plant environment and to be “hands on”

+ Great people skills: must be patient, flexible, and calm

+ Excellent tactile skills/craftsmanship

+ Excellent communication skills and attention to detail

Physical Requirements (heavy)

+ Ability to lift 20- 50 lbs approximately 200 times per day

+ Standing for 90% of the day

+ Other activities, including climbing, balancing, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, repetitive motion, grasping, and feeling.

Work Environment/ Hours / Compensation

This position is a full-time, non-exempt, role that is on-site at our Sausalito Factory & Showroom. The hours for this position are 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is a Union position and begins at $31.50 hourly.

Benefits

We are committed to your health and well-being. Heath offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees that includes a choice of medical plan, dental, vision and life and works very hard to keep employee costs low for excellent coverage. We do not require an employee contribution for individual premiums, and we pick up a large portion of the costs for dependent coverage. A generous 401(k) match annually. Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan provides an additional retirement benefit linked to the long term performance of our company. We offer a generous time off allocation, paid family leave, and of course a healthy discount on all Heath Ceramics products.

Proud Equal Opportunity Employer

At Heath, we don’t just accept differences — we celebrate it, we support it. Heath is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce at all job levels. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

How to Apply

If you would like to be considered for this position apply through this application form. Thank you for your interest!

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