Job Description

The Ward Rotary Die-cutter Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and monitoring the Ward rotary die-cutter to produce die-cut and printed corrugated products that meet customer specifications, quality standards, and production schedules. The position plays a critical role in maximizing machine uptime, minimizing waste, and ensuring that every order is produced safely, efficiently, and accurately.

1. MAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

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**Machine Setup and Changeover:

**Reviews job tickets, specifications, and samples before each run. Sets up the Ward rotary die-cutter for each order, including mounting and securing dies and printing plates, setting feed gates and side guides, adjusting registration, and setting ink and anilox units where applicable. Completes setups and changeovers efficiently to minimize downtime between orders.

**Machine Operation:

**Operates the Ward rotary die-cutter at target speeds to produce die-cut and printed corrugated sheets, boxes, and display components. Monitors feeding, printing, cutting, scoring, and stripping throughout the run and makes adjustments for board warp, caliper, and other material conditions to keep production running smoothly.

**Quality Control:

**Obtains first-piece approval before running production. Checks dimensions, scores, cuts, print registration, and color against job specifications and approved samples, and continues to inspect product throughout the run. Removes defective product, corrects issues promptly, and communicates quality concerns to the supervisor and Quality personnel.

**Die, Plate, and Tooling Care:

**Handles, cleans, and stores cutting dies, printing plates, and tooling properly to protect them from damage. Rotates and replaces anvil covers as needed, reports worn or damaged dies and plates, and makes sure the correct tooling is ready for upcoming orders.

**Production Documentation and Records:

**Accurately records production counts, setup and run times, waste, downtime, and job information on job tickets and production reports. Documents recurring machine or quality problems so they can be addressed and ensures records are complete and accurate.

**Machine Care and Housekeeping:

**Performs daily cleaning, lubrication, and basic inspections of the die-cutter and work area according to established procedures. Reports mechanical or electrical problems to Maintenance promptly and keeps the work area clean, organized, and free of scrap and trim.

**Teamwork and Continuous Improvement:

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Directs and works closely with feeders, stackers, and helpers on the crew, and communicates with the supervisor, Quality, Maintenance, and Shipping to keep orders on schedule. Identifies opportunities to reduce setup time, waste, and downtime, and participates in continuous improvement and training activities.

**Safety and Compliance:

**Maintains a safe work environment by following OSHA requirements, QPI policies, lockout/tagout procedures, and machine guarding requirements. Never bypasses guards or safety devices, properly uses personal protective equipment, and reports unsafe conditions, near misses, and injuries to the supervisor immediately.

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1. **PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

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**INDICATORS

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• Production output and on-time completion of scheduled orders

• Setup and changeover time

• Waste and scrap percentage

• Quality: first-piece approvals, internal rejects, and customer complaints

• Safety: zero recordable incidents and full compliance with lockout/tagout and PPE requirements

• Accuracy and completeness of production documentation

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1. **INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

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**BASIC

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Polite and effective interaction in daily dealings with others.

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**IMPORTANT

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Requires a significant degree of influence, relevance, or impact.

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**CRITICAL

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Highly developed interpersonal relationship skills.

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1. **REQUIRED PROFILE

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**JOB PROFILE

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**HARD SKILLS PROFILE

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**POSITION:

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**Ward Rotary Die-cutter Operator

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**ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

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High school diploma or GED preferred. Previous experience operating a rotary die-cutter (Ward or similar), flexo folder-gluer, or other corrugated converting equipment preferred.

**SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE

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Knowledge of rotary die-cutting, flexographic printing, and corrugated board grades and flutes preferred. Ability to read and understand job tickets, specifications, and die layouts.

Forklift certification, or the ability to become certified. Understanding of lockout/tagout and machine guarding requirements.

**EXPERIENCE

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1-3 years of experience setting up and operating corrugated converting equipment preferred.

Ability to perform setups and changeovers, including mounting dies and printing plates and making register adjustments.

Strong mechanical aptitude and basic math and measuring skills, including use of a tape measure, ruler, and calipers.

Ability to stand for extended periods and safely lift, bend, and handle bundles of product, dies, and supplies as required.

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**COMPETENCY-BASED PROFILE

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**COMPETENCIES

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 Analytical Thinking

Achievement Orientation (Results Orientation)

People Management (Directing Others)

People Development (Developing Others)

Leadership

Impact and Influence (Communication)

Initiative (Sense of Urgency)

Customer Service Orientation

Concern for Order, Quality, and Accuracy

Flexibility / Adaptability

Teamwork and Cooperation

Resilience (Stress Tolerance)

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