Bindery Machine Operator - 1st Shift

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Bedford Park (IL); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals in Bedford Park, IL is seeking a Machine Operator for a manufacturing/printing facility. The role involves operating bindery and finishing equipment to produce envelopes, calendars, cards, and mailing materials, with attention to quality and safety.

Candidate should have at least 6 months of machine operation experience, be able to read job sheets, and communicate in English; bilingual Spanish is a plus. This is a first shift, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must be able to read, write and communicate in English.
• Minimum 6 months of machine operation or bindery experience preferred.
• Experience with collators, folding machines or cutting machines is a plus.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills are required.
• Ability to perform minor equipment adjustments and repairs.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate bindery and finishing equipment to produce envelopes, calendars, cards, and mailing materials.
• Review work orders and customer specifications to guide production.
• Set up machinery for production runs and retrieve materials from inventory.
• Read job sheets, interpret stock codes and quantities, follow instructions.
• Make minor machine adjustments to maintain quality and meet specs.
• Complete quality control inspections and checklists at shift start and when new jobs begin.
• Verify stock against job specs before production; ensure counts before shipping.
• Monitor equipment and clear minor jams; request maintenance as needed.
• Follow all safety policies, including lockout/tagout and machine guarding.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area.

Skills

Machine operation experience

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Reading and interpreting job sheets

Quality and safety awareness

English communication

Bilingual Spanish preferred

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Collators

Folding machines

Electronic cutting machines

Job description

Bedford Park, IL | Monday-Friday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Express Employment Professionals is currently hiring a Machine Operator for a manufacturing/printing facility in Bedford Park, IL. We are seeking dependable candidates with machine operation experience and strong mechanical aptitude to join a growing team.

Job Summary

The Machine Operator is responsible for operating bindery and finishing equipment to produce completed printed products such as envelopes, calendars, cards, and other mailing materials. This role involves cutting, folding, collating, gluing, wrapping, and inspecting finished products while maintaining quality and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Review work orders and customer specifications.
• Retrieve materials from inventory and set up machinery for production runs.
• Read and interpret job sheets, including stock codes, quantities, and special instructions.
• Make minor machine adjustments to maintain quality standards and meet customer specifications.
• Complete quality control inspections and required checklists at the start of each shift and when beginning new jobs.
• Verify stock and materials against job specifications before production.
• Ensure accurate counts of completed products before forwarding to shipping.
• Monitor equipment and clear minor paper or material jams when necessary.
• Request maintenance or supervisory assistance when needed.Follow all company safety policies, including lockout/tagout procedures and proper machine guarding requirements.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Minimum of 6 months of machine operation or bindery equipment experience preferred.
• Experience operating equipment such as collators, folding machines, electronic cutting machines, or similar production machinery.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to perform minor equipment adjustments and repairs.
• Commitment to workplace safety and the use of required personal protective equipment.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.
• Frequent standing throughout the shift.
• Repetitive use of both hands.
• Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, grasping, and lifting.
• Ability to work an 8-hour shift in a manufacturing environment.