Press Operator - Kettering - Labels Industry

Kairos Recruitment; Kettering; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Kairos Recruitment is seeking a reliable Press Operator to join the busy Production team in Kettering. You will produce blank labels, convert printed material from master rolls, and prepare finished products for dispatch.

The role requires careful reading of job sheets, setting up cutters and knives, monitoring quality, and maintaining a clean, safe workspace while hitting production targets. The successful candidate will work 8:30am to 4:30pm in a permanent, hands-on environment that values

Qualifications

• Experience operating label presses or similar production machinery.
• Ability to read and follow production job sheets.
• Commitment to quality and safety standards.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Read and follow job sheets and production requirements.
• Mount cutters and install cylinders into the label press.
• Load materials, set guides and knives, and adjust press settings.
• Produce blank labels and slit printed material per specs.
• Monitor production for faults and inspect finished reels for quality.
• Box, package, and dispatch rolls; record production times and discrepancies.
• Carry out daily maintenance per schedule.

Skills

Attention to detail

Production machinery

Quality control

Fault identification

Team player

Organised

Job description

Position: Press Operator

Location: Kettering

Salary: £26k

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

Job Type: Permanent

About the business:

My client is looking for a reliable, hands‑on and quality‑focused Press Operator to join their busy Production team.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and takes pride in producing consistently high‑quality products.

As a Press Operator, you will be responsible for producing blank labels and converting printed material from master rolls, rewinding finished material onto the correct core sizes, inspecting reels for faults and preparing finished products for dispatch.

Purpose of the role:

Working as part of our Production team, you will:

• Accurately read and follow job sheets and production requirements.
• Select the correct cutter and return equipment to its designated location after use.
• Mount cutters onto magnetic cylinders and install cylinders into the label press.
• Load materials onto the press and correctly set web guides and slitting knives.
• Set cutter pressure to the correct level.
• Adjust press settings to achieve optimum running speeds while minimising waste and production issues.
• Operate the label press computer to set quantities, mandrel tension and other production requirements.
• Produce blank labels and slit printed material in accordance with job specifications.
• Closely monitor production and identify and remove faults as they occur.
• Inspect finished reels to ensure they meet the required quality standards.
• Box and package rolls of labels correctly and prepare them for dispatch.
• Ensure the correct quantities of cores and boxes are used and accurately recorded.
• Record production times and any errors or discrepancies on job sheets.
• Carry out daily maintenance routines in line with the company's maintenance schedule.

Quality & Efficiency

Quality is at the heart of this role. You will be expected to:

• Maintain a high standard of quality throughout the production process.
• Identify and remove faults quickly and effectively.
• Help minimise customer quality complaints.
• Ensure production times and job information are recorded accurately.
• Look for opportunities to improve efficiency and contribute ideas during team meetings.

What They're Looking for in a Press Operator:

We're looking for someone who is:

• Quality-focused with excellent attention to detail.
• Practical and confident working with production machinery.
• Able to identify, investigate and remove faults.
• Comfortable setting up slitting knives and operating press equipment.
• Organised and able to follow detailed job specifications.
• Reliable, hardworking and committed to meeting production targets.
• A strong team player who communicates well with colleagues and supervisors.
• Committed to maintaining a clean, safe and well‑organised working environment.

Key Skills

The successful candidate will demonstrate good ability in:

• Quality Control - Ensuring finished products consistently meet required standards.
• Slitting Knife Setup - Correctly setting and adjusting slitting knives for each job.
• Packaging - Accurately packaging and preparing finished products for dispatch.
• Fault Removal - Quickly identifying and resolving production faults to maintain quality and minimise downtime.

Why Join this team:

If you're looking for a hands‑on role where your skills, attention to detail and commitment to quality are genuinely valued, we'd love to hear from you.

You'll become an important part of our Production team, working alongside experienced colleagues in a professional and supportive manufacturing environment.

For more information, please call Olivia on (phone number removed)