Ink Technician

Saica Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Friendly environment

Full training

Progression opportunities

Holiday entitlement

OT at 1.5x

Refer a Friend £500

Cycle to work

Home & Tech scheme

Employee discount

Flu and eye vouchers

Job summary

Saica Group in the UK, at the Wigan site, is seeking an Ink Technician to join the Saica Flex printing team. You will prepare, match and manage inks to meet colour standards and high print quality.

This role supports press operators, maintains ink inventory, records formulations and adheres to Health & Safety procedures, with a 12-hour rotating shift pattern and opportunities for training and progression. Join a collaborative team delivering high‑quality printed packaging while advancing your

Qualifications

• Attention to detail and colour perception are essential.
• Ability to follow health and safety procedures and written instructions.
• Good communication and teamwork are important for cross‑functional collaboration.
• Basic computer literacy is expected for record keeping and specs.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and mix inks to production specifications and colour standards.
• Match colours accurately using approved formulations and quality standards.
• Monitor ink performance and adjust as required throughout production.
• Maintain ink inventory and storage in accordance with procedures.
• Record ink formulations and production data accurately.
• Support press operators with ink-related technical issues.
• Conduct routine quality checks to meet print standards.
• Clean and maintain ink mixing equipment and work areas.
• Follow safety procedures for handling inks and chemicals.
• Collaborate with production, quality and planning teams to meet deadlines.

Skills

Attention to detail

Colour perception

Organisational skills

Health & Safety procedures

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Computer literacy

Forklift licence

Tools

Forklift truck licence

Job description

Saica Group offers sustainable paper solutions for the manufacture of corrugated board and flexible packaging, promoting circularity in waste management. With more than 12,000 employees and a presence in 11 countries (Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States), Saica Group has four business lines: the production of recycled paper for corrugated cardboard (Saica Paper), waste management and environmental services (Saica Natur), the production of corrugated board packaging (Saica Pack), and flexible packaging (Saica Flex).

Job Description

At Saica Group, we are more than an organisation; we are a community committed to delivering sustainable paper and packaging solutions while championing circularity and innovation in waste management. This opportunity is within our Saica Flex division, which manufactures a range of flexible plastic films for leading food manufacturers and retailers. Based at our Wigan site, we produce high-quality printed packaging using advanced flexographic printing technology.

About The Role

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented individual to join our flexographic printing team as an Ink Technician. You will play a key role in preparing, matching and managing inks to ensure the high-quality print standards our customers expect.

Ink Technician – Responsibilities

• Preparing and mixing inks to production specifications and colour standards.
• Matching colours accurately using approved formulations and quality standards.
• Monitoring ink performance throughout production and making adjustments as required.
• Maintaining ink inventory, ensuring stock levels are controlled and materials are stored correctly.
• Recording ink formulations and maintaining accurate production records.
• Supporting press operators with ink-related technical issues and colour consistency.
• Conducting routine quality checks to ensure print standards are met.
• Cleaning and maintaining ink mixing equipment and work areas in accordance with company procedures.
• Following written procedures and Health & Safety requirements, including safe handling and disposal of inks and chemicals.
• Working collaboratively with production, quality, and planning teams to meet customer deadlines.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good colour perception, with the ability to accurately distinguish subtle colour variations.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Following written procedures and complying with Health & Safety requirements, including safe handling and disposal of inks and chemicals.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving.
• Basic computer literacy.

Desirable Skills

• Previous experience as an Ink Technician or in a flexographic printing environment.
• Experience with colour matching and ink formulation.
• Knowledge of solvent-, water-, or UV-based ink systems.
• Understanding of quality management systems within print manufacturing.
• Forklift truck licence or previous experience.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Friendly and supportive working environment.
• Full training and ongoing development.
• Opportunities for progression and further technical training.
• 22 days' holiday, inclusive of Bank Holidays, based on 11.5‑hour shifts, plus an annual Christmas shutdown.
• Overtime opportunities at 1.5x hourly rate.
• Refer a Friend Scheme of £500.
• Cycle to work and Home & Technology scheme.
• Employee Discount Platform.
• Flu and eye test vouchers.

Shift Pattern

12‑hour rotating shift pattern, spread over a rotating 4‑week cycle:

• Week 1 – 4 nights, 3 off
• Week 2 – 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights
• Week 3 – 3 off, 4 days
• Week 4 – 7 off

Equal Opportunity

Saica Group is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the recruitment process where required.

Job Requirements

We value team players who support colleagues and share ideas, promote diversity, uphold high standards of quality and service, and are self‑motivated to improve. Specific skills or experience requirements will be confirmed in the job posting.