Production Lead, Bindery

About the role

Join Smartpress, the fast-growing online printing service and sister company to The Bernard Group. We are 100% employee-owned, disrupting the traditional printing industry with innovation, eco-friendly practices, and world-class customer service. As the Bindery Operator Lead, you’ll mentor and coach employees in bindery, fabricating, cutting, or kitting, train new and existing team members on efficient machine set-up and process flow, and serve as the subject matter expert on equipment. This is a working lead role—you’ll perform hands-on work while ensuring the last quality check before shipment and acting as the key liaison with CSRs and managers to meet customer specifications.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with managers and shift leadership to prioritize and direct department workflow
• Support a safe environment, driving toward 0 OSHA recordables and maintaining high quality standards
• Ensure assembly integrity through continuous monitoring of departmental processes
• Maintain appropriate levels of supplies to meet production requirements
• Monitor issues and receipts for work orders
• Establish open lines of communication with the production floor
• Represent corporate policy and communicate it to employees
• Ensure training and skills matrix comply with training policy and develop the team’s skills
• Drive continuous improvement by monitoring efficiency, productivity, and material flow
• Interact with other support departments to reduce costs
• Complete and quality-check each job according to ticket specifications
• Learn existing equipment, train on new equipment, and troubleshoot production problems
• Put away stock, break down boxes, and clean up after shift
• Perform miscellaneous projects and tasks as requested by management

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in the printing industry as a Bindery Operator, Cutter, Folder, or Booklet Maker
• OSHA 10 Hour Certification (a plus)
• Thorough and organized approach to work
• Strong attention to detail on every project
• Basic computer skills, including Pace and Google Suite
• Self-motivated, fast learner with initiative to seek out customer and corporate needs
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and manage work to meet deadlines and quality standards
• Effective time management and self-management skills
• Understanding of confidentiality regarding company, employee, and customer information
• Flexibility to adapt to change

Qualifications

• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated listening and presentation abilities
• Willingness to admit mistakes
• Fiercely loyal to customers and team
• Trustworthy, reliable, and easy to get along with
• Enthusiastic and eager to take on new challenges
• Adaptable and willing to take on varied responsibilities

Schedule

36-hour work week with two shift options:

• Monday–Wednesday, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM
• Thursday–Saturday (three 12-hour shifts with a rotating schedule every 4 months)

Overtime eligible.

Benefits

• Healthcare, dental, life insurance, and disability coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (100% employee-owned)
• 401k with company match
• Paid time off that increases with tenure
• Career development opportunities
• Flexible work hours
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee referral program
• Safe and clean manufacturing environment