Assistant Operator Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

The Assistant Operators support the operation of printing presses by assisting with setup, material handling, quality checks, and maintaining efficient and safe production. This role requires a strong technical understanding of web handling systems, including unwind/rewind operations, splicing, cleaning systems, and waste management, to ensure consistent print quality and minimal downtime.

DESCRIPTION

Key Responsibilities:

Understand and use basic PPE safety procedures and their implements to eliminate any risk of accident.

• Safety Glasses
• Steel Shoes
• Hair net
• Ink room face shield

As a Press Operator Assistant, you will receive hands-on training to develop the skills necessary to operate flexographic printing equipment specifically Vistaflex and Miraflex presses in a safe, clean, and quality-driven environment. Your responsibilities will include the following:

1. Training & Compliance

• Learn and apply FSSC (Food Safety Certification Scheme) protocols as instructed during the initial training phase. This includes hygiene practices such as the use of beard nets.
• Follow all safety and operational guidelines from day one to ensure a secure working environment.

2. Housekeeping & Maintenance

• Establish and maintain a cleaning routine around the press to promote safety, orderliness, and efficient operations.
• Perform regular housekeeping duties in your assigned area, ensuring the machine and surroundings remain free of clutter or hazards.

3. Technical Understanding & Machine Operation

• Knowledge of how to operate unwind and rewind systems to ensure proper web handling.
  • Verify:
    • Proper roll alignment and centering.
    • Core and roll condition before mounting.
• Build foundational knowledge of how internal machine factors and external suppliers affect print quality.
• Gain proficiency in using inspection systems, such as BST and AVT, to monitor and ensure consistent output quality.
• Acquire knowledge on how to operate the ink system.
• Perform or assist with manual and/or automatic splicing of substrate rolls.
  • Ensure:
    • Proper splice alignment.
    • Secure adhesion of splice tape.
    • Smooth transition to avoid press stoppages or defects.
  • Inspect splices during operation to confirm integrity.
• Operate the TurboClean system for ink chambers and anilox rolls.
  • Ensure proper:
    • Setup of cleaning cycles.
    • Handling of cleaning solutions and chemicals.
  • Assist in manual cleaning when required (Doctor blades, ink pans, chambers).

4. Production & Quality Control

• Assist in the successful completion of print jobs with minimal defects by inspecting the printed rolls coming out of the press.
• Monitor ink viscosities and make corrections when the viscosities are out of tolerance.
• Learn to operate within the Radius system, managing job requirements and accurately applying system codes for each process.
• Report any issues—whether related to rolls (wrinkles, profile, core damage or misalignment, hardness, etc.), inks, machinery, or electrical systems—to the Shift Supervisor, Operations Manager, or other relevant personnel.

1. Material Handling and Inspection

• Load/unload rolls using appropriate equipment (roll manipulator, pallet jack).
  • Stage materials to support efficient production flow.

1. Waste Handling and Disposal

• Collect, segregate, and dispose of production waste (scrap, ink waste) according to company and environmental guidelines.
  • Ensure proper labeling and handling of:
    • Hazardous waste (inks, solvents, cleaning agents).
    • Non-hazardous scrap materials.
  • Maintain clean work areas to support safety and efficiency.

Professional Development

• Cultivate a quality-oriented mindset, consistently seeking excellence in execution and continuous self-improvement.
• Demonstrate initiative in problem-solving, self-evaluation, and long-term growth within the company.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

• Use the appropriate PPE for each activity or function.
• Understand the JobPack according to the press process.
• Understand the system operation for the press where your training begins.
• Understand and know how to control process variables related to viscosity, and ink temperatures.
• Understand the difference and purpose of Stickyback (1320, 1520, 1720) when printing.
• Understand how the Anilox works and identify the different types of Anilox used in the Press department.
• Periodically check the proper functioning of the press.
• Recognize types of print errors and communicate them to the operator.
• Verify the following at the beginning of each job:

• Film
• Ink/Viscosity
• Wind
• Plates
• Anilox

• Attach the labels to the rolls.
• Understand the procedure for ColorCert.
• Assist operator to change blades when the print quality or footage run determines it.
• Inspect the quality of each roll using a printed sample.
• Have the next job materials (inks, rolls)  prepared in advance and be alerted to ensure everything is ready when the current one finishes.

SECONDARY ASPECTS

• Communicate with the team about the day's activities and sequences.
• Keep the work area clear.
• Clean the machine periodically.
• Collaborate with the administrative staff:

• Tests
• New procedures
• Provide information
• Point Lessons

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds regularly.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and operating equipment.
• Tolerance for working in varying environmental conditions (e.g., hot, cold, noisy)

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE)