Gluer Operator Trainee

Smurfit-Westrock; Greenville (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Career advancement opportunities

Competitive compensation

Safety and inclusion culture

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Greenville, TX is seeking an entry-level operator to support gluer operations, assist with machine setup, and perform quality inspections. You will collaborate with the Gluer Operator to ensure safe, efficient production and adherence to customer specs.

The role emphasizes learning machine make-readies, participating in continuous improvement, and maintaining food packaging safety and quality. Strong mechanical aptitude and teamwork are valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to read and understand work instructions, job tickets, and production documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn machine operations.
• Ability to identify and communicate quality concerns.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to workplace safety, food packaging safety, and product quality.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to work overtime as needed.
• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Support a safe work environment by following all safety procedures and reporting hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
• Assist with daily production activities, including crew coordination, break coverage, and workflow management.
• Work closely with the Gluer Operator to support packers, feeders, and belt operators.
• Learn and assist with machine make-readies and job setup activities.
• Read and interpret job jackets to ensure customer specifications are met.
• Collect customer job samples when required.
• Support production goals related to waste reduction, output, and make-ready efficiency.
• Assist with completion of DMS checklists, production reports, and required documentation.
• Inspect products for defects such as glue issues, folding defects, poor scores, cutting defects, and print quality concerns.
• Assist with setup of delivery systems, code printers, and Leary glue detection systems.
• Support troubleshooting of gluer equipment, Leary systems, and related machinery.
• Assist with quality checks, control plans, Leary challenges, and material disposition decisions.
• Support preventative maintenance activities and scheduled machine maintenance.
• Maintain housekeeping and cleanliness standards for assigned equipment and work areas.
• Participate in continuous improvement and performance excellence initiatives.
• Report product safety and quality concerns to management as required.

Skills

Reading instructions

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Communication

Organizational skills

Safety consciousness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The Opportunity

This role supports gluer operations by assisting with machine setup, quality inspections, production activities, and crew coordination. The position works closely with the Gluer Operator to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production while developing the skills necessary to support machine operation, troubleshooting, and production management. This role plays a key part in achieving production goals while maintaining food packaging safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Support a safe work environment by following all safety procedures and reporting hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
• Assist with daily production activities, including crew coordination, break coverage, and workflow management.
• Work closely with the Gluer Operator to support packers, feeders, and belt operators.
• Learn and assist with machine make-readies and job setup activities.
• Read and interpret job jackets to ensure customer specifications are met.
• Collect customer job samples when required.
• Support production goals related to waste reduction, output, and make-ready efficiency.
• Assist with completion of DMS checklists, production reports, and required documentation.
• Inspect products for defects such as glue issues, folding defects, poor scores, cutting defects, and print quality concerns.
• Assist with setup of delivery systems, code printers, and Leary glue detection systems.
• Support troubleshooting of gluer equipment, Leary systems, and related machinery.
• Assist with quality checks, control plans, Leary challenges, and material disposition decisions.
• Support preventative maintenance activities and scheduled machine maintenance.
• Maintain housekeeping and cleanliness standards for assigned equipment and work areas.
• Participate in continuous improvement and performance excellence initiatives.
• Report product safety and quality concerns to management as required.

What You Need to Succeed

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to read and understand work instructions, job tickets, and production documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn machine operations.
• Ability to identify and communicate quality concerns.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to workplace safety, food packaging safety, and product quality.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to work overtime as needed.
• Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer

• A workplace culture built on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with opportunities to advance into operator and leadership roles.
• Competitive compensation based on experience, skills, and performance.
• A career with a global packaging leader where Safety, Sustainability, and Inclusion are foundational to daily operations.
• Opportunities to participate in continuous improvement initiatives and professional development programs.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.