Litho Team Leader

Pacific Southwest Container, LLC; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Southwest Container, LLC in Modesto, CA is seeking a Litho Team Leader to guide the Sheeting, Ink Lab, and Lithographic Printing teams across multiple production shifts, coaching facilitators and hourly staff to meet safety, quality, and production goals.

You will champion Lean manufacturing, TPM, 5S, and continuous improvement, analyzing performance metrics (OEE, throughput, waste) and partnering with Maintenance, Quality, Engineering and Customer Service to drive reliable, on-time

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Minimum five (5) years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production operations.
• Proven leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development skills.
• Analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience with ERP and production reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of Sheeting, Ink Lab, and Lithographic Printing across shifts.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and operational standards.
• Foster safety culture and empower team members to work safely.
• Coach and develop Facilitators and hourly Team Members to maximize performance.
• Hold leaders accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and attendance.
• Monitor performance using metrics like productivity, throughput, waste, quality, and OEE.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Mentoring

Data analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Excel

English

Education

Bachelor's in relevant field

Tools

Heidelberg presses

KBA presses

Job description

Job Summary

Pacific Southwest Container, LLC is a world-class, ISO 9001 manufacturer of custom packaging. We are a market leader in the design and conversion of corrugated, folding carton, single-face lamination, foam protective packaging and point-of-purchase displays. Our facilities in Modesto and Visalia serve a wide variety of end use customers who value creativity, flexibility, speed to market and best total system cost.

We have amazing people who are the driving force, the inspiration, and foundation of our family-owned company. Our thriving culture and values are the foundation of Team PSC: 360 Health; Teamwork; Quality; and Sustainability.

The Litho Team Leader is accountable for developing team members, driving operational excellence, improving equipment reliability and manufacturing performance, and ensuring customer specifications are consistently achieved. This role serves as a servant leader by providing coaching, resources, and support to Facilitators and production teams while promoting Pacific Southwest Container's core values.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of the Sheeting, Ink Lab, and Lithographic Printing departments across multiple production shifts.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, environmental policies and standards, quality procedures, and operational requirements.
• Foster a culture where safety is the highest priority and all Team Members are empowered to work safely.
• Develop, coach, mentor, and support Facilitators and hourly Team Members to maximize individual and team performance.
• Hold production leadership accountable for safety, quality, environmental, productivity, efficiency, attendance, and adherence to PSC values.
• Analyze departmental performance using key operational metrics including productivity, throughput, waste, quality, downtime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and implement strategies to improve manufacturing performance.
• Develop and execute action plans to improve productivity, reduce waste, improve equipment reliability, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Ensure all sheeting, ink, and lithographic equipment is maintained in safe working condition through effective preventative maintenance and coordination with Maintenance.
• Assist production teams in troubleshooting equipment, process, and quality issues to minimize downtime.
• Verify that all products consistently meet customer specifications and quality standards.
• Promote Lean Manufacturing principles, 5S, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the department.
• Collaborate with Customer Service, Scheduling, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to ensure production objectives are achieved.
• Monitor staffing requirements and assist with workforce planning, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Support new equipment implementation, process improvements, and capital projects.
• Conduct regular department meetings to communicate company initiatives, safety topics, operational performance, and improvement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate production reports, performance metrics, and departmental documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing manufacturing team.
• Foster an environment of accountability, respect, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Coach Team Members using a servant leadership philosophy focused on developing people and removing obstacles to success.
• Build strong relationships across departments to improve communication and operational alignment.
• Drive engagement through recognition, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Promote PSC's culture of 360 Health, Teamwork, Quality, and Sustainability.

Performance Expectations

• Achieve departmental goals related to safety, quality, environmental, productivity, waste reduction, and customer service.
• Improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Develop future manufacturing leaders through coaching and mentoring.
• Maintain high employee engagement and accountability.
• Deliver products that consistently meet customer expectations for quality and on-time delivery.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that create measurable operational value.

Required Skills, Training, And Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field; equivalent leadership experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum five (5) years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Previous experience within the packaging, printing, corrugated, or folding carton industry.
• Thorough understanding of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production operations.
• Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team development skills.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze production data and implement performance improvement strategies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating or managing Heidelberg and KBA lithographic printing presses.
• Experience with Marquip and Goodstrong sheeting equipment.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with manufacturing ERP and production reporting systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently walk throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Ability to stand for extended periods during plant observations and production support.
• Ability to occasionally climb stairs, bend, reach, stoop, and inspect machinery.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work safely around manufacturing equipment and production operations.

Work Environment

This position works primarily in a manufacturing environment supporting multiple shifts of lithographic printing, ink, and sheeting operations. Frequent interaction with production personnel, maintenance, quality, engineering, customer service, and leadership is required. The role requires flexibility to support operational needs outside of normal business hours as necessary and a visible presence on the manufacturing floor to coach, develop, and support Team Members.