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Paper Coating Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Messina Talent Advisors

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Batch Maker

Walled Lake, MI · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

... and papers supplying to various markets. Position Summary * Set up, operate and clean mixing ... Follow mixing priorities to ensure timely delivery of solution to coating machines. * Coordinator ...

FastTrack Staffing

Masking

Spring Lake, MI · On-site

Racking small to large metal parts for various coating processes. Prepping for the next shift. Job Duties: • Use masking tape, paper, plastic, plugs, or caps to protect specific areas of the part ...

LTi Printing, Inc.

Offset Press Assistant

Sturgis, MI · On-site

... and coating blankets, ink loading and verifying resource readiness for printing of the job ... Completes accurate paperwork related to paper usage and documenting spoilage/waste. * Assists with ...

Mativ Holdings

Mechanical Tradesperson

Munising, MI · On-site

The Munising, MI facility is seeking a skilled Mechanical Tradesperson to be part of a Maintenance Team that supports paper machines, offline coating/saturating lines, and general mill needs. The ...

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All JobsPaper Coating JobsPaper Coating Jobs in Michigan

Paper Coating information

See Michigan salary details

$11

$17

$30

How much do paper coating jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for paper coating in Michigan is $17.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.85 and $18.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is paper coating?

Paper coating is the process of applying a thin layer of material, such as clay, latex, or polymers, to the surface of paper to improve its appearance, printability, and durability. A paper coating operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and monitoring machines that apply these coatings to paper products. Their duties include ensuring the correct thickness and quality of the coating, adjusting machine settings, and performing routine maintenance. This role is essential in industries like printing, packaging, and publishing where high-quality paper finishes are required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a paper coating operator?

To thrive as a Paper Coating Operator, you need a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality control, and basic mechanical skills, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with coating machinery, measurement instruments, and safety protocols is essential, and some positions may require forklift certification. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are key soft skills for this role. These skills ensure consistent product quality, operational efficiency, and a safe working environment in paper manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in paper coating roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in paper coating often deal with challenges such as maintaining consistent coating quality, managing machine downtime, and ensuring safety while handling chemicals. To address these, it’s important to follow standard operating procedures, regularly maintain equipment, and stay updated on best practices for quality control. Collaboration with maintenance teams and quality assurance specialists can help resolve issues quickly and improve overall efficiency. Additionally, ongoing training in safety and process improvements supports both individual and team success.

What is the difference between Paper Coating vs Paper Finisher?

AspectPaper CoatingPaper Finisher
CredentialsTypically requires technical training or certification in coating processesOften requires finishing or binding certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, coating linesPrinting shops, bindery departments
Industry UsagePaper manufacturing, printing industryPrinting, publishing, and binding industries
Job FocusApplying coatings to paper to improve quality and durabilityFinishing printed materials through cutting, binding, or trimming

Paper Coating involves applying a coating to paper to enhance its surface qualities, while Paper Finisher focuses on finalizing printed materials through cutting, binding, or trimming. Both roles are essential in the paper and printing industry but serve different stages of production.

What are popular job titles related to Paper Coating jobs in Michigan?

For Paper Coating jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Paper Coating jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Paper Coating jobs in Michigan are:

Paper Coating jobs near you
Infographic showing various Paper Coating job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,941 per year, or $17.3 per hour.

Senior Paper Materials Engineer

Dart Container

Mason, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Dart Container rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 89 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 122 rated packaging manufacturers

Job description

This role strengthens the paper materials workstream by adding senior-level technical ownership for supplier readiness, plant execution, qualification discipline, and converting performance. This position will continue to improve speed, consistency, and technical follow-through across paper material qualifications and paper-related manufacturing support.
The Senior Paper Materials Engineer leads paper material support across procurement, supplier qualification, material trials, plant issue resolution, and manufacturing readiness for Dart's paper-based product platforms. This role supports paperboard, coated paper, cup stock, plate stock, lid materials, and related fiber-based materials used in cups, lids, plates, and other converted paper products.
The role works closely with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, Product Development, suppliers, and plant teams to qualify materials, troubleshoot performance issues, support supplier transitions, and ensure paper materials are ready for production use. This position requires strong hands-on converting experience and the ability to spend significant time in plants, supplier facilities, and trial locations.
What You'll Do...
  • Lead paper material qualification projects from supplier evaluation through testing, production trials, approval, and implementation.
  • Partner with Procurement to assess new suppliers, alternative sourcing options, supplier transitions, and cost-saving opportunities.
  • Review material specifications, supplier capabilities, coating technologies, and performance requirements for food packaging applications.
  • Provide technical support to manufacturing plants, troubleshooting material and converting issues related to quality, performance, and production efficiency.
  • Plan and execute production trials, analyze results, lead root cause investigations, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Apply expertise in paper converting processes, including forming, die cutting, printing, coating, laminating, slitting, and packaging.
  • Support material selection and specification development to ensure compatibility with manufacturing processes, customer requirements, and product performance expectations.
  • Maintain qualification records, material specifications, testing documentation, and regulatory or customer compliance requirements.
  • Collaborate with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, Product Development, and suppliers to drive successful material qualifications and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders and ensure projects stay on track from qualification through commercialization.

Key Focus Areas:
Paper Material Qualification • Supplier Development • Manufacturing Support • Paper Converting Operations • Product Quality & Performance • Root Cause Analysis • Cross-Functional Collaboration • Continuous Improvement
What You'll Need...
  • Requires one of the following:
    • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Paper Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials science, or a related technical field.
    • Associate's degree and twelve (12) years of related engineering experience
  • Senior-level experience supporting paper materials, coated paper, paperboard, fiber-based packaging, or paper converting operations.
  • Direct experience with converting paper for cups, lids, plates, or similar formed and converted food packaging applications.
  • Demonstrated ability to support manufacturing trials, supplier qualifications, material testing, plant troubleshooting, and cross-functional technical decision-making.
  • Strong understanding of how paper material properties affect converting performance and finished product quality.
  • Ability to travel up to 50% to manufacturing plants, supplier locations, trials, technical reviews, and qualification activities.
  • Strong communication, ability to influence, documentation, organization, and follow-through skills.
  • Ability to work independently in plant environments and provide practical technical recommendations under real production conditions.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications
  • Experience with cup stock, plate stock, coated paperboard, poly-coated paper, barrier-coated paper, lid materials, molded or fiber-based packaging, or food-contact paper materials.
  • Experience supporting supplier transitions, second-source qualifications, material cost-savings projects, or new material commercialization.
  • Familiarity with paper material testing, coating performance, sealing behavior, converting defects, curl, moisture effects, stiffness, density, caliper, printability, and runnability.
  • Experience working directly with Procurement, Quality, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Sustainability, suppliers, and plant leadership.
  • Experience developing material specifications, qualification reports, trial plans, technical recommendations, and approval documentation.

#LI-KS1
Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We're a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we're proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.
Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.
Dart Container is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.
*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.
Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
https://www.dartcontainer.com/eeoaa/
If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at (800) 545-3278 Ext 3370 or email us at ADArequests@dart.biz. Relay calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.
If you experience difficulty applying online, you may call (800) 545-3278 Ext 3390 or email us at applicationassistance@dart.biz for assistance.

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