Job Description

Reports To:         Department Manager

Job Summary

The Press Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, adjusting, and maintaining presses used in flexographic printing operations. The Press Operator is also responsible for performing quality checks and training new employees. The Press Operator is expected to work closely with the Maintenance, Mounting, and Ink departments to ensure customer orders are completed according to the production schedule.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• N/A

Essential Duties

• Follow production schedule and job specifications as outlined on job jacket, including proofreading samples
• Operate flexographic printing presses including performing job set-ups, running jobs, monitoring inks and colors, and performing basic machine maintenance and repair
• Optimize machine run settings to deliver high quality with minimal waste, checking print quality and ink usage throughout each job run
• Keep mounting plates clean throughout the printing process
• Return plates to mounting department after job completion
• Complete production reports and enter report information into computer tracking system
• Clean and stock press for incoming shift
• Review overall press performance with incoming press operator
• Assist in training of other Press Operators and Press Assistants
• Comply with all OSHA safety, AIB, and plant regulations

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate in both the written and spoken language of English to a level that will allow the safe and effective performance of the job 
• Commitment to following and promoting safe work habits (compliance with all Safety/AIB policies and procedures)
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to effectively work with applicable computer systems and software
• Strong critical thinking, troubleshooting, and analytical skills
• Capacity to calculate, analyze, and track figures and make competent decisions based on those figures
• Strong verbal, written, and group-presentation communication skills
• Communication, teamwork, and customer service skills are critical as employees are expected to work directly and indirectly with all levels of employees, customers, and outside vendors
• Consistently demonstrates a high level of responsibility and accountability

Education and Experience

• Minimum of two years of experience working with flexographic printing including ability to set up and operate 6-10 color press, knowledge of adjusting tension and oven temperatures preferred
• Minimum of one year of experience reading color, opacity, density, and dot gain on X-Rite spectrometer preferred
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of various solvents and how to use them

Physical Requirements

• Consistent walking, talking, sitting, standing, repetitive motions, movements requiring fine motors skills and visual acuity
• Regular climbing, kneeling, crouching, pulling, pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping, lifting (up to 50 pounds)
• Work is generally performed in conditions typical of a manufacturing environment though certain tasks/projects may occur outside or in an office environment
• Safety glasses, steel/composite toed shoes, and hearing protection when working on production floor
• Employee is generally protected from weather conditions but not necessarily from high and low temperatures
• Sufficient noise regularly requires employee to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level
• Employee will be regularly exposed to a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, stored potential energy, and working at heights of 4 or more feet
• Employee may be exposed to conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin such as fumes, odors, dust mists, gases, limited ventilation, oils, chemicals, cutting fluids, etc.

Travel Requirements

N/A

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.