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Newspaper Packaging Supervisor

Position Summary

The Newspaper Packaging Supervisor is responsible for supervising and coordinating newspaper packaging operations to ensure newspapers, inserts, commercial products, and other printed materials are processed, packaged, and prepared for distribution safely, accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.

This is a hands-on leadership position in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment. The supervisor is responsible for employees, staffing, production schedules, equipment, product quality, safety, labor management, timekeeping, nightly reporting, and coordination with other departments.

Due to the nature of newspaper production and distribution, this position requires flexibility and the ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, and extended shifts as required by production and business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production Operations

• Supervise daily and nightly newspaper packaging and inserting operations to ensure production requirements and deadlines are consistently achieved.
• Direct and coordinate employees operating newspaper inserting, stacking, strapping, conveying, palletizing, and related packaging equipment.
• Coordinate the processing of newspapers, inserts, commercial products, and other materials according to established production specifications.
• Monitor production schedules and adjust employees, equipment, and workflow as necessary to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Verify product quality, quantities, zoning, insert placement, labeling, packaging, and other job-specific requirements.
• Ensure proper setup, operation, and shutdown of packaging equipment.
• Support press production and ensure an efficient transition of printed products from the press into Packaging.
• Coordinate closely with the Pressroom to address production changes, press delays, product flow, and other issues that may affect Packaging operations.
• Ensure completed products are properly prepared and released for distribution according to established deadlines.
• Communicate production delays, equipment issues, staffing concerns, quality problems, and other significant operational issues to appropriate management and departments.

Equipment and Maintenance

• Monitor inserting, conveying, stacking, strapping, press palletizing, and other packaging equipment to ensure reliable operation.
• Assist with troubleshooting equipment problems and minor repairs when appropriate.
• Coordinate with Maintenance when mechanical, electrical, or technical support is required.
• Monitor equipment downtime and take appropriate action to minimize production interruptions.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and communicate concerns to Maintenance and management.
• Support preventive maintenance activities and ensure equipment is maintained in safe and reliable operating condition.
• Work with employees and Maintenance to identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, reliability, and efficiency.

Staffing and Labor Management

• Assign employees to production lines and work areas based on workload, employee skills, staffing levels, and production priorities.
• Monitor staffing levels throughout each shift and make adjustments as needed to maintain productivity and control labor costs.
• Manage overtime assignments based on operational requirements and approved labor targets.
• Monitor temporary or contract labor usage and adjust staffing according to production requirements.
• Balance staffing requirements with production demands to ensure adequate coverage without unnecessary labor expense.
• Communicate schedules, schedule changes, overtime requirements, and production expectations clearly and in a timely manner.

Nightly Production Reports and Documentation

• Complete accurate and timely nightly production reports at the conclusion of each shift.
• Document production results, run times, staffing levels, labor hours, equipment downtime, delays, waste, quality issues, safety concerns, and other significant events.
• Document equipment problems or maintenance concerns requiring follow-up.
• Identify missed production targets, unusual circumstances, or operational concerns and provide appropriate explanations.
• Ensure nightly reports provide management with an accurate overview of shift performance.
• Distribute nightly reports to appropriate management and departments within established timelines.
• Clearly communicate outstanding issues requiring follow-up by the incoming shift, Maintenance, Planning, Pressroom, Distribution, Transportation, or management.
• Maintain accurate production records, staffing information, equipment information, and other required departmental documentation.

Safety Responsibilities

• Maintain a strong commitment to employee safety and safe equipment operation.
• Ensure employees comply with established safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper use of required personal protective equipment.
• Reinforce lockout/tagout and other equipment safety procedures.
• Identify and promptly address unsafe conditions, equipment, or work practices.
• Participate in safety meetings, training, incident investigations, and corrective actions as required.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas and reinforce good housekeeping practices throughout the department.
• Communicate safety concerns promptly to appropriate management.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with the Pressroom, Planning, Maintenance, Distribution, Transportation, Receiving, and other departments to coordinate production activities.
• Maintain effective communication regarding schedules, delays, product requirements, staffing concerns, and equipment issues.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners when required to support production and distribution requirements.
• Participate in production meetings and other operational discussions as required.
• Support special projects, new equipment installations, process changes, and other organizational initiatives.
• Assist with implementing new processes and equipment and help employees successfully adapt to operational changes.

Leadership Expectations

The Newspaper Packaging Supervisor is expected to demonstrate strong leadership, accountability, professionalism, and sound judgment.

The supervisor must be able to make timely decisions in a fast-paced production environment while balancing safety, quality, staffing, equipment, labor costs, and production deadlines.

The supervisor is expected to:

• Lead by example.
• Take ownership of operational issues through resolution.
• Communicate clearly and professionally.
• Hold employees accountable while treating them fairly and respectfully.
• Remain calm and solutions-oriented during production challenges.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Develop and support employees.
• Build effective working relationships across departments.
• Promote teamwork and shared accountability.
• Support organizational changes and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in newspaper packaging, printing, manufacturing, distribution, warehouse operations, or a similar production environment preferred.
• Previous supervisory, lead, or team leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with newspaper inserting, conveying, stacking, strapping, and palletizing equipment preferred.
• Experience with press palletizing systems or related automated production equipment preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and basic equipment troubleshooting abilities.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and understand production schedules, job instructions, reports, and production specifications.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to make sound and timely decisions when production conditions change.
• Ability to effectively supervise employees with varying levels of experience and technical knowledge.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use email, production systems, scheduling tools, timekeeping systems, spreadsheets, and reporting applications.
• Ability to prepare accurate written production and shift reports.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, management, vendors, contractors, and other departments.

Work Schedule and Availability

Newspaper production operates around strict publication and distribution deadlines. The Newspaper Packaging Supervisor must maintain schedule flexibility based on production and business requirements.

The position requires the ability and willingness to:

• Work primarily evening and overnight shifts.
• Work weekends on a regular basis.
• Work holidays as required by the newspaper production schedule.
• Work overtime when necessary.
• Work extended shifts or additional days when required.
• Adjust scheduled hours based on production volumes, staffing shortages, equipment problems, special publications, weather events, or other operational requirements.
• Respond to unexpected production issues that may require additional supervisory coverage.

Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

This position works primarily in a production, manufacturing, and warehouse environment.

The position may require:

• Extended periods of standing and walking.
• Frequent movement throughout production and warehouse areas.
• Bending, reaching, and climbing stairs.
• Working around moving machinery, conveyors, forklifts, and other industrial equipment.
• Exposure to production noise, paper dust, vehicle traffic, and varying temperatures.
• Lifting or moving materials within established company safety guidelines.
• Wearing required personal protective equipment while in designated production areas.

Our Benefits: At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual's physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family).  Our industry-leading benefits include:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual's unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too - helping you keep them happy and healthy.
• And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories-growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms-to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired. 

Be a part of something bigger-Your Headline Awaits