Ink Technician

MCC; Mason (OH); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

MCC is seeking an Ink Technician to support the ink department, ensuring proper procedures, inventory, and color matching for press operations.

You will calibrate equipment, prepare ink draws, manage pigments and additives, and assist with color standardization while maintaining a safe, efficient manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; 1–2 year printing-related degree preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to read, write and comprehend instructions.

Responsibilities

• Follow and support all established ink department procedures.
• Prepare inks and drawdowns; verify color specifications and align with customer requirements.
• Calibrate Brookfield, spectrophotometers and pH meters; maintain equipment and report issues.
• Review daily schedules, prepare inks, check ink availability, and manage related inventory.
• Assist with lean initiatives: 6S practices and Kaizen for process improvements.

Skills

Communication skills

Basic math

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma or GED

1–2 year degree in printing-related field preferred

Tools

Brookfield

Spectrophotometers

pH meters

Spreadsheet software

Word processing software

Job description

Job Title:

Position Objective:

Ink Technician

Role and Responsibilities:

• Follow and support all established ink department procedures.
• Support production area and operators, ensure correct job components are available at the point of use and delivered based on production needs.
• Maintain work center equipment in good working order. Perform operator preventive maintenance on equipment as outlined in operator PM schedule. Report equipment problems immediately and fill out work orders as necessary. Calibrate Brookfield, Spectrophotometers, pH meters.
• Review jobs on daily schedule and prepare inks. Review dispatch list in preparation of upcoming jobs.
• Review job tickets and verify ink is available and used as specified.
• Prepare drawdowns for inks going out to press and adjust them as necessary to match customer color specifications.
• Replace returned inks in the appropriate storage units.
• Supply color standards to press and file them appropriately when they are returned.
• Assist with color adjustments on press and routinely check on press progress.
• Order new and replacement Aniloxes. Provide feedback on changes and/or addition of blades to achieve color on press.
• Fulfill drawdown (color sample) requests.
• Create formulas to match customer color samples that may not be in the PMS book and create formulas for PMS colors and enter the formulas into the computer.
• Assist with SDS maintenance.
• Enter new Vision ink codes into the system.
• Approve consignment inventories monthly as required.
• Proactively work to move existing inks that have been unused or off shade into new formulas to try to keep inventory down, disposing of outdated water based and UV inks and scents appropriately.
• Check in and store supplies, rotate inventory, and date all UV materials upon arrival.
• Collaborate with purchasing on supplies from vendors.
• Estimate and order materials for jobs. Proactively maintain and control inventory levels.
• Question discrepancies between previous and new orders.
• Enter spectral targets for specific jobs. Generate targets on new jobs. Supply operators with documentation.
• Maintain ink storage and waste pickups
• Seek to improve the ink department process through recommending equipment enhancement, process improvements and procedure changes.
• Request help from the Production TRP during peak periods.
• During slow periods or as otherwise necessary, assist other departments,
• Organize and remove unnecessary equipment and parts, store them in their proper location.
• Use good judgment and “best for business” tactics when dealing with trouble shooting problems and opportunities.
• Apply lean philosophy through Kaizen event participation, improvement activities and lean initiatives to support corporate objectives.
• Ensure 6S visual scans are completed as well as 6S standards followed thru sustainment activities.
• Assist in participating in Root Cause Countermeasure activities to identify areas where improvement is needed and put a plan in motion to address those areas.
• Participation in continuous improvement efforts in value stream to ensure waste reduction, cost savings, increase speed, and on time delivery
• Report and participate in safety incident investigation while maintaining a safe work environment.
• Required to work 8 hour shifts; required to work weekends as scheduled on a regular or as‑needed basis.

Duties may be changed or additional duties assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED and/or equivalent knowledge and experience. 1 – 2 year degree in printing‑related field preferred. Equivalent knowledge and experience is considered.
• Strong written/verbal interpersonal and communication skills. Must be able to read, write, and comprehend instructions.

• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

• Basic computer skills and knowledge eof Spreadsheet and Word Processing software.
• Strong initiative, problem-solving, and resourcefulness.

• Practice & sustain Lean Manufacturing and 6S procedures.

Physical Demands:

Works in a manufacturing environment and will be required to wear hearing, foot, and/or other personal protective equipment while performing duties in a manufacturing setting. May, on a continuous basis, stand for a long period of time and stoop, bend, and kneel frequently. Moderate to frequent walking. Lift up to 40 pounds on a frequent basis. Ability to lift 20 lbs while climbing stairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close & distance vision, ability to adjust focus, and ability to distinguish color variations, peripheral and depth perception. The noise level in the work environment is usually medium to loud. Must be flexible to work varying schedules and hours as needed.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.