Press Operator

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging supporting multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Our manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, and aluminum. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands, and over 39,000 SKUs.

About the Role

Sets up and operates a flexographic printing press to print designs or lettering on rolls of paper for use in making butter, candy, confectionary, and food service wrappers.

Responsibilities

• Reads job order, verifies or mounts specified print plates on cylinders, and secures cylinder assembled with print plates in print deck of press.
• Attaches feed lines to chambered doctor blade system with prescribed inks.
• Moves levers to engage dye rolls, adjusting position of cylinder to print two or more colors without overlapping or smearing previously printed area.
• Inserts shaft through core of paper mill roll and secures roll on press in feed position.
• Splices end of roll to trailer sheet remaining in press, using tape, and threads paper to regulate roll tension and feed as directed.
• Starts press, adjusting speed, tension, and alignment of printing plate as necessary.
• Cuts sample of printed material from end of printed roll and inspects for imperfections, such as blurred or off-center impressions.
• Cleans photopolymer plate, cylinder, and inking system, and lubricates press as needed, using grease gun.
• Observes mechanical operation and indicating gauges (e.g., video web scanner, amp-meter, air pressure gauges) to ensure specified operating levels are maintained and makes adjustments when malfunctions occur.
• Operates press in team with Waxer Operator on press equipped with waxer that coats paper by threading paper through waxer machine and starting end of paper around rewind core.
• Splices breaks in paper, using tape.
• Removes rewound roll or sheets from machine with hoist and pulls shaft from core by hand.
• Weighs, labels, and marks printed/coated rolls and moves to Slitter area.
• Cleans press and work area, keeps daily time, production, and material usage reports, and regulates temperature of gas-fired drying units.
• Enters all transactions in ERP system as required.
• Upholds safety duties and regulations.
• Conforms to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) procedures and policies to assure products are suitable for direct food contact.
• Inspects and reports any product quality or food safety issues to the Quality Assurance Manager (SQF Practitioner), Management Team member, or lead person.

Requirements

• Five or more years of hands-on experience operating a web-fed printing press or converting machine.
• Two years minimum experience as a flexographic press helper or operator.
• High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Basic mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Basic computer skills.
• Color acuity.

Pay

$19–$33/hour based on experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Well-being resources focused on mental, physical, and financial health.
• Community engagement through the Focused Giving Program supporting sustainability initiatives and food/hunger needs.
• Training and development opportunities, including skills development, advanced education programs, and tuition reimbursement (Non-Union).