Machine Operator Trainee Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary: The Printing Press Operator Trainee’s primary role is to effectively support the

processes in the wide-web/narrow-web department to ensure that our product meets or exceeds our

customer requirements.  The trainee must possess the mechanical aptitude to set up and maintain

operation of their designated machine.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Production & Press Operation: 

• Be at workstation within 3 minutes of reporting time
• Perform basic visual checks for print defects
• Monitor ink levels
• Assist with splicing at unwind
• Stay busy when press is down

Job Prep & Wrap-Up:

• Review work orders and confirm job details (substrate, materials, plates, inks, etc…)
• Stage substrate, sleeves, anilox rolls, printing plates, inks, etc…
• Prepare cores and tape for splicing and tools
• Fill ink chambers, install/load ink pans & doctor blades
• Assist with installing anilox rolls, sleeves, and plate cylinders
• Examine plate quality to only accept plates suitable to print the job
• Stage next job’s materials
• Clean up and any other procedures related to the completion of jobs

Safety & Compliance:

• Adhere to all required safety practices, including use of PPE, lockout/tagout, and machine guarding procedures
• Ensure compliance with facility food safety (GMP), product safety, and quality standards
• Performs job in manner that protects the health and safety of all employees
• Check press area for cleanliness and remove hazards
• Keep press area clean

Communication & Collaboration:

• Communicate issues to lead operator
• Properly make computer entries
• Record readings (speed, scrap counts, basic QC checks) as instructed
• Follow chain of command from supervisor to department manager to plant manager, etc…

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous manufacturing or mechanical experience required
• Ability to distinguish between subtle color variations (Not colorblind)
• Ability to lift 50-75 lbs. without the assistance of a hoist or mechanical device
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, bend, stoop, and climb
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically active environment
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to work with complex press equipment
• Basic math skills and ability to read rulers, tape measures, micrometers, and gauges
• Basic reading skills necessary to properly understand production orders, reports, warning signs, etc…
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail under production demands

Essential Physical & Cognitive Functions:

• Must hold themselves and fellow employees accountable to Good Manufacturing Practices, Food Defense, Food Safety,  SQF policies and procedures, and maintenance of an excellent food safety culture. Employees are encouraged to report issues that they encounter that may lead to food safety related issues.     
• Must be able to distinguish subtle shades of colors accurately in order to match samples and color designations in orders
• Must have eyesight whether correct or not, which allows pressman to distinguish hairlines, registration, mounting accuracy and ink lay-down to print suitable quality
• Must be able to lift 50 – 75-pound air shafts without the assistance of a hoist and must be able to manipulate 100 – 300 pounds with the assistance of mechanical devices
• Must be agile (bending, stooping, squatting, climbing, etc.) in order to climb up on press, move cylinders, adjust equipment and avoid dangerous moving machinery
• Must have a good sense of smell to distinguish odors from materials and smell smoke in case of fire 
• Must have good hearing to follow directions and coordinate procedures with fellow employees and to hear warning signals
• Reflexes must be in excellent condition for quick response time on moving machinery to avoid serious injury to his/her or other employee’s limbs or other life-threatening injuries
• Must be completely alert at all times to operate machinery in a proper manner
• Must be able to read a ruler and have other general math skills to measure roll diameters, roll widths, package sizes, etc…
• Must have directionality to distinguish right and left sides of machinery and to follow operating instructions from other employees and from written instructions
• Must be able to comprehend and follow detailed instructions without constant supervision 
• Must be able to communicate operating problems to supervisor
• Must have spatial skills, which can be applied to judge dimensions necessary for operation of machinery
• Must have mechanical ability to learn how the press operates including anilox rollers, cylinders, tension controls, safety mechanisms, etc…
• Must be able to carry out press procedures in an initial sequence and repeat that procedure on future orders in a similar manner or with alterations
• Must be able to record information electronically as required by accounting
• Must have maturity and disposition to always operate press safely 
• Must understand and be able to implement safety emergency procedures and follow all standard safety procedures
• Must be able to interact with and follow instructions from quality control or management to maintain specified quality standards  
• Must be able to do meticulous work under production demand