Screen Print Press Operator Lead

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Screen Print Press Operator Lead to join our team and play a crucial role in producing high-quality printed materials. This role involves setting up and operating automated screen printing presses and ensuring high-quality production. This role is based on-site at our facility in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated individual to contribute to a dynamic production environment. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of our operations, working closely with experienced professionals and ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

What You'll Do

• Machine operation: Set up, operate, and monitor screen printing presses (often multi-color) and other auxiliary equipment to ensure smooth and efficient production.
• Retrieve and organize printed parts for subsequent passes, ensuring a smooth workflow.
• Quality control: Perform quality checks to ensure prints meet customer specifications and standards, which can include actions like conducting a crosshatch test to verify ink adhesion and checking against a blue line for correct sizing.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and solve problems with equipment, ink, or print quality to minimize downtime.
• Team leadership: Train and support team members, share expertise, and guide the team to meet production goals and maintain a safe work environment. May manage a team of up to 4 employees.
• Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Perform routine cleaning of ink fountains, plates, and cylinders. Handle minor repairs using hand tools and notify management of any significant equipment problems.
• Documentation: Track printed colors and verify ink accuracy, often using a computer system and other record keeping procedures.
• Production Oversight: Examine job orders to determine specifications such as quantities, stock, colors, and special instructions. Verify that paper and ink meet all requirements.
• Inventory & Organization: Monitor inventory levels of supplies and request additional materials as needed. Contribute to maintaining a clean and organized shop environment.
• Environmental Monitoring: Monitor and adjust environmental factors like humidity and temperature to optimize equipment performance.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of printing experience and experience with automatic presses, with a strong preference for screen printing. Previous experience in apparel printing will be considered.
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Leadership and communication: Strong communication skills to collaborate with team members and supervisors, and the ability to guide and support other employees. Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Technical Aptitude: An in-depth understanding of basic printing technologies and the ability to make precise adjustments.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to quality control and a commitment to producing flawless prints.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and troubleshoot issues with equipment or print quality.
• Independence: Capable of working independently under standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Safety & Quality Focus: A strong commitment to adhering to and promoting maximum safety standards, quality policies, procedures, work instructions, ISO9000 standards, and ITAR regulations.

Due to ITAR and / or CUI compliance, this position requires candidates to be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident Alien, or Protected Individual per 8 U.S.C.1324b(a)(3).

Candidates being considered for hire must pass a pre-employment background check.

Compensation And Benefits

• Pay Range: $25 - $30 per hour (Pay to be determined by the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the candidate, and alignment with market data).
• Benefits Offered: Comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental and vision coverage; company-paid basic life/AD&D insurance, voluntary supplemental insurances, flexible spending accounts and employee assistance program (EAP). Sick Leave, Vacation Time, and company-paid Holidays are provided as paid time off. New England Keyboard also provides a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan option with a safe harbor non-elective company contribution.