Lithographic Section Leader

Hunter Selection Limited; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Standardised pension

Free parking

Life Insurance

32 days annual holiday

Job summary

Hunter Selection Limited is seeking an experienced Section Leader for a well-established lithographic manufacturing site. The role focuses on leading day-to-day lithography operations and acting as the dry offset printing SME to maintain high print quality and process controls.

You will collaborate with Pre-Press, Production, Quality and customers to ensure artwork, colour standards and proofs meet requirements, while driving continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Strong practical and technical knowledge of dry offset printing.
• Excellent colour awareness and understanding of print and coating variables.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills across printing, coating and curing processes.
• Excellent problem-solving and Root Cause Analysis capability.
• Able to interpret artwork, reprographic information, technical specifications and customer requirements.
• Able to coach and transfer specialist lithographic knowledge effectively.
• Strong collaboration skills, particularly with Pre-Press, Quality, Maintenance, Technical, Procurement and customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Lithography operations, monitoring performance, risks, technical issues, and improvement actions.
• Act as the dry offset printing SME, maintaining expertise in printing equipment, coatings, inks, varnishes, curing, and process controls.
• Establish and maintain standards for printing, coating, curing, colour management, and print quality consistency.
• Collaborate with Pre-Press, Production, Quality, and customers to ensure artwork, colour standards, proofs, and new product introductions meet requirements.
• Investigate print and coating defects, lead root cause analysis, and implement sustainable corrective actions and reliability improvements.
• Drive operational excellence through SMED, Lean manufacturing, training, machine care, maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Dry offset printing

Colour management

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Artwork interpretation

Lean Manufacturing

Job description

Commutable from Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend, Pyle, Porthcawl, Neath, Llanelli, Ammanford, Cross Hands

• Standardised pension
• Free parking
• Life Insurance
• 32 days of annual holiday

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established, thriving business with a strong customer base who have very recently expanded the site. My client are looking to recruit an experienced Section Leader with a good background in lithographic manufacturing. This business works with a highly recyclable product and with has a varied customer base made up of international businesses, providing excellent job security. This role would be very well suited to a candidate with management experience in a fast paced manufacturing environment.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day Lithography operations, monitoring performance, risks, technical issues, and improvement actions.
• Act as the dry offset printing SME, maintaining expertise in printing equipment, coatings, inks, varnishes, curing, and process controls.
• Establish and maintain standards for printing, coating, curing, colour management, and print quality consistency.
• Collaborate with Pre-Press, Production, Quality, and customers to ensure artwork, colour standards, proofs, and new product introductions meet requirements.
• Investigate print and coating defects, lead root cause analysis, and implement sustainable corrective actions and reliability improvements.
• Drive operational excellence through SMED, Lean manufacturing, training, machine care, maintenance coordination, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Strong practical and technical knowledge of dry offset printing.
• Excellent colour awareness and understanding of print and coating variables.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills across printing, coating and curing processes.
• Excellent problem-solving and Root Cause Analysis capability.
• Able to interpret artwork, reprographic information, technical specifications and customer requirements.
• Able to coach and transfer specialist lithographic knowledge effectively.
• Strong collaboration skills, particularly with Pre-Press, Quality, Maintenance, Technical, Procurement and customers.
• Good understanding of Lean Manufacturing, SMED, 5S and continuous improvement principles.

INDENM

28688/611

Please note as we receive a high level of applications we can only respond to applicants whose skills & qualifications are suitable for this position. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.