1st Pressman/Lead Operator
About The Company
At Japs-Olson (JO), we believe a career should be more than a job—it should be an opportunity to create a lasting impression. As a trusted leader in direct mail and commercial printing for over a century, JO is proud to be an employer of choice in the Twin Cities, empowering our team to solve problems creatively within a culture of collaboration and growth. Whether you're a recent graduate eager to launch your career, seeking meaningful work that aligns with your values, or a seasoned professional ready to share your expertise, JO is a place where your contributions can make a difference. We offer competitive benefits, career advancement opportunities, and a commitment to work-life balance, all within a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to grow and succeed.
Position Summary
We are seeking a 1st Pressman to join our night shift team, working from 6 PM to 6 AM for 3 to 4 days per week. In this role, you would be responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining commercial web presses while ensuring top-quality output. This role oversees make-readies and production runs, and ensures jobs are completed safely, efficiently, and to customer specifications.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Lead all press setups, including mounting plates, adjusting registration, setting ink keys, and bringing jobs up to color.
- Make all final quality decisions on color, registration, density, and overall appearance.
- Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, print quality, or material issues during runs.
- Direct the 2nd Pressman and roll tenders in job tasks and workflow.
- Perform advanced press adjustments, calibrations, and routine maintenance.
- Maintain production pace while minimizing spoilage and waste.
- Complete required job tickets, quality checks, and production reports.
- Communicate with supervisors, scheduling, and quality on job progress and concerns.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a lead operator on commercial web presses, with the ability to run jobs from setup through completion.
- Experience with Heidelberg and Goss Web Presses strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions on press operation, color quality, registration, and overall output.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with experience performing press adjustments, calibrations, and routine maintenance.
- Leadership skills to direct and train 2nd pressmen, roll tenders, and material sorters ensuring efficient teamwork and workflow.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to quickly troubleshoot press or print quality issues.
- High attention to detail and commitment to meeting customer specifications and quality standards.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while minimizing spoilage and maximizing productivity.
- Strong communication skills to collaborate with supervisors, scheduling, and quality teams.
Benefits
- Affordable medical insurance plans
- Vision and dental insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributions
- 401(k) savings plan with company contributions
- Additional voluntary benefits
- Paid holidays and floating holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Company sponsored life insurance
- Short and long-term disability