Press Operator WW- 1st Shift

INTERSTATE PACKAGING COMPANY•White Bluff, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wide Web Printing Press Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining wide web flexographic printing presses. The role ensures high-quality printed materials that meet customer specifications, plant standards, and safety protocols. The operator also helps train team members and uphold production, performance, and quality expectations. The operator performs press setups, including plate mounting, material alignment, and ink preparation for wide web requirements, typically 40–80 inches wide. They operate presses safely and efficiently, troubleshoot mechanical, ink, and substrate issues, conduct quality checks and color matching, and make adjustments to maintain print quality and minimize waste. The role includes reviewing job documentation, staging materials, preparing inks and substrates, cleaning equipment and the work area, and accurately documenting production details, material usage, and downtime. The operator follows safety practices, including PPE use, lockout/tagout, and machine guarding, and complies with facility food safety (GMP), product safety, and quality standards. They communicate with incoming shifts, supervisors, quality control, and support staff; document job issues; contribute feedback for improvement; and train less experienced operators. The work requires extended standing and physical activity in a fast-paced production environment, along with careful attention to quality and safety around moving machinery.

Requirements

Prior experience operating flexographic printing presses.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to work with complex press equipment.
Ability to distinguish subtle color variations and match ink to color standards; no color blindness.
Basic math skills and ability to read tape measures, rulers, micrometers, and gauges and perform measurements.
Ability to lift 50–75 pounds, including air shafts unassisted, and maneuver heavier materials using hoists or other mechanical assistance.
Ability to stand for extended periods and bend, stoop, squat, and climb as needed to access press components and adjust machinery.
Strong reading comprehension to interpret production orders, identify plates and materials, and understand safety instructions and warning signs.
Directional and spatial awareness to follow instructions and align materials accurately.
Excellent reflexes, alertness, and awareness around fast-moving machinery.
Sufficient sense of smell to detect material odors or smoke and sufficient hearing to follow directions and detect machine signals.
Ability to understand and execute detailed instructions with minimal supervision and clearly communicate equipment issues.
Ability to reason through press problems, identify causes affecting print quality, and implement corrective actions.
Ability to follow standardized procedures consistently and accurately enter production data electronically.
Sharp vision, with or without correction, to detect fine print details and assess print quality.
Strong organization, attention to detail, judgment, maturity, and focus in a fast-paced production environment.
Ability to use mechanical assistance when handling materials weighing 100–300–1500 pounds.

Responsibilities

Set up wide web flexographic presses, including mounting plates, aligning materials, and preparing ink.
Operate presses safely and efficiently while maintaining print quality and minimizing waste.
Troubleshoot mechanical, ink, and substrate issues and make necessary adjustments.
Perform quality checks and color matching throughout production against proofs and job specifications.
Review job tickets and conditions sheets for substrate, ink, and coating requirements.
Prepare inks and substrates, stage materials, and ensure job components are ready before setup.
Clean the press, ink stations, and surrounding work area after runs or shifts.
Complete accurate electronic or paper records of job details, material usage, and downtime.
Follow safety practices, including PPE, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and emergency-stop protocols.
Comply with facility food safety (GMP), product safety, and quality standards.
Communicate with oncoming shifts, supervisors, quality control, and support staff to maintain production continuity and resolve concerns.
Document job issues and provide feedback to management for continuous improvement.
Train new or less experienced operators in press procedures, maintenance, and safety.
Evaluate plates for print readiness and collaborate with quality control and management to meet company and customer standards.