Lead Press Operator

Job Description: Lead Press Operator

Department: Production Direct

Reports To: Production Manager

Classification: Hourly

The Lead Press Operator is an integral and important production team member in the organization. Interfaces with various Work Centers and other production employees. This position occasionally interacts with Customer’s and Vendor’s. Often interacts with Sales, Graphics, and members of the US team.

JOB DUTIES

1. Lead Press Operator reviews production schedule for their Work Center and retrieves corresponding Job Travelers from Production Manager to determine which aerated paperboard are required for the jobs on the daily production schedule.
2. Reviews Job Traveler Envelope, which includes the Job Traveler, Control Copy Envelope, and Die Strike. Once reviewed the following steps are performed:
   1. Ensure that required sheeted paperboard is available by the Press Work Center as previously delivered by the Aerator Operator.
   2. Retrieves materials as listed on the Job Traveler such as ink and coating from Plant Logistics Coordinator.
   3. Retrieves proper printing plates for job from Production Manager.
3. Sets up Press to begin make-ready sheets.
   1. Records setup time on Job Traveler.
   2. Uses Control Copy and/or approved Customer proof as comparison.
   3. Once make-ready sheet matches the Control Copy and/or Customer approved proof, the Lead Press Operator notifies the Production Manager for match verification and approval.
   4. After Production Manager signs approval on the Job Traveler and signs Reference Copy and/or Control Copy, the Lead Press Operator resumes full production run.
4. To run printing press with maximum efficiency without sacrificing quality.
5. Continually check quality and make any necessary adjustments to improve quality during production run. Immediately notifies Production Manager of any issues with raw materials, printing quality, or mechanical.
6. During production vendor load tag are removed and placed in the Job Traveler Envelope. Ensures that Production load tags are kept on each printed load.
7. Delivers printed pallet loads and Job Traveler Envelope to respective Work Center, typically Aerator, using a pallet jack.
8. Maintain physical integrity of all paperboard waste/scrap.
9. Records on Job Traveler all information as referenced on the Job Traveler Work Instructions, such as total sheets starting/ending, sheets scrapped, run times, and ink/coating usage.
10. Records jobs completed with time spent on Time Card/Log(either on manual cards or computerized ERP).
11. Returns to Production Manager the following: Printing Plates, die strike, Control Copy Envelope.
12. Returns unused ink and coating to Plant Logistics Coordinator.
13. Maintain Work Center equipment and machine to prevent breakdowns and interruptions to the production schedule. Immediately reports all equipment and machine problems to the Production Manager.
14. Updates Maintenance Checklist Log evidencing completion of preventative maintenance measures as outlined in the respective Work Center checklist with operator initials and date.
15. Continuously maintain Work Center area and equipment so it is clean and safe.
16. Submits purchase requisitions for parts, supplies, ink, coating and repairs to Production Manager.
17. Protects, conserves, and accounts for all raw materials within Work Center.
18. Participates in inventory and cycle counts as required.
19. Interfaces with Customer representatives, Plant Quality Control Coordinator, Plant Logistics Coordinator, Sales personnel, and Production Manager on press and quality checks as needed.
20. Assists with Drawdown quality inspection and maintenance of Drawdown binder in conjunction with Plant Logistics Coordinator.
21. Any other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. High school completion required. Successful completion of vocational educational training for Printing Press Operations, strongly preferred.
2. Previous experience operating an Offset Lithographic printing press required. Minimum 2 years.
3. Effectively communicate in English & Spanish written and verbal.
4. Intermediate mathematical proficiency and an above average passing grade on Company Math test.
5. Above average mechanical aptitude.
6. Continuous learner of changes and advances of printing technology.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Standing and walking up to 10 hours with appropriate rest breaks as required by law.
2. Routinely lifting up to 50 pounds (23kg) and pulling up to 150 pounds (68Kg) by pallet jack.
3. Must be in good health and physically able to perform job duties described above.

AVAILABILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be available to work on scheduled production days as assigned by the Production Manager and supplied via weekly work schedule for the Company.
2. Overtime may be required.