Press Operator WW- 1st Shift

INTERSTATE PACKAGING COMPANY•White Bluff, TN

5d•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 produces high-quality printed materials according to customer specifications, plant standards, and safety protocols. The operator also helps train team members and supports production performance and quality expectations. The position includes preparing jobs and materials, setting up presses, monitoring print quality and color, troubleshooting issues, documenting production details, and cleaning equipment and work areas. The operator works with supervisors, quality control, and other team members to maintain production continuity and resolve concerns.

Requirements

Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to work with complex press equipment.
Ability to distinguish subtle color variations and match ink to color standards; must not be color blind.
Basic math skills and ability to read rulers, tape measures, micrometers, and gauges and perform measurements.
Strong reading comprehension to interpret production orders, identify printing plates, understand material usage, and follow safety instructions and warnings.
Ability to lift 50–75 pounds, including air shafts unassisted, and maneuver heavier materials using mechanical assistance.
Ability to stand for extended periods and bend, stoop, squat, and climb as needed to access equipment and machinery.
Directional and spatial awareness to follow instructions and align materials accurately.
Excellent reflexes and constant alertness to operate safely around fast-moving machinery.
Sufficient smell and hearing to detect odors or smoke, machine signals, and verbal directions.
Ability to understand and execute detailed instructions with minimal supervision and communicate equipment issues clearly.
Logical reasoning and judgment to identify print-quality problems, recommend corrective actions, and follow emergency procedures.
Sharp vision, with or without correction, to inspect fine details such as registration marks, plate mounting, and ink coverage.
Ability to enter production data electronically.
Organizational skills, precision, and attention to detail under production demands.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically active production environment.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience operating wide-web flexographic printing presses is strongly preferred.
Understanding of press tension, web paths, anilox and cylinder specifications, and material properties.

Responsibilities

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