NASHVILLE, TN – Manufacturing Operator Trainee (Bindery) 2nd Shift

BindTech, Inc.; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

BindTech, Inc. in Nashville, TN is seeking an entry-level Manufacturing Operator Trainee for the 2nd shift. The role trains you to set up, operate, and maintain perfect binders and finishing equipment, with no prior bindery or printing experience required.

You will train under a Sr. Manufacturing Operator through three stages, with wage reviews at 90 days and six months as you take on independent responsibilities.

Qualifications

• No bindery, printing, or machine operator experience required.
• Demonstrated mechanical ability and comfort with hand tools.
• Ability to learn equipment adjustments and follow instructions.
• Military maintenance, aviation or motor-pool experience welcomed.
• Trade or vocational training in industrial maintenance or mechanics is a plus.
• High school diploma or GED and a solid work history.

Responsibilities

• Learn and perform machine setup on binders and finishing equipment under supervision.
• Operate binding equipment to produce books and printed materials to quality standards.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks and inspections as directed.
• Inspect outputs for defects and report quality issues.
• Assist with material handling, loading, and stock staging at the machine.
• Report issues and assist technicians with troubleshooting.
• Adhere to safety policies and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Mechanical ability

Hand tools

Learn equipment adjustments

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Reliable attendance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade or vocational training in industrial maintenance, machining, welding, or mechanics

Job description

NASHVILLE, TN – Manufacturing Operator Trainee (Bindery) 2nd Shift

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Manufacturing Operator Trainee is an entry-level, paid training position for candidates with mechanical ability who are new to the printing and bindery trade. Trainees learn to set up, operate, and maintain perfect binders and related finishing equipment under the direction of an experienced Sr. Manufacturing Operator. No bindery or printing experience is required – we train.

COMPENSATION AND SCHEDULE:

$18.50 – $20.00 per hour to start, depending on demonstrated mechanical ability. 2nd shift, full-time, with overtime available during peak production. A $2.00 per hour shift differential is added to the base rate for 2nd shift, bringing the effective starting range to $20.50 – $22.00 per hour. Trainees are eligible for wage review at 90 days and again at six months as they take on independent responsibility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Learn and perform machine setup on perfect binders and related finishing equipment under supervision, working toward independent setup.
• Operate binding equipment to produce books and printed materials, meeting quality and output standards.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks – cleaning, lubrication, and scheduled checks as directed.
• Inspect bound books and printed materials for defects and elevate quality issues to the Sr. Operator.
• Assist with material handling, loading, and staging of stock at the machine.
• Report mechanical issues, unusual noises, or malfunctions promptly; assist the Sr. Operator and third-party maintenance personnel with troubleshooting.
• Adhere to all BindTech safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• No bindery, printing, or machine operator experience required.
• Demonstrated mechanical ability – comfort with hand tools, an interest in how machines work, and the ability to learn equipment adjustments.
• Mechanical experience from outside the printing industry is welcome and encouraged, including:
• Military maintenance, aviation, or motor-pool roles.
• Production line, packaging, warehouse, or other equipment-operating work.
• Trade or vocational school training in industrial maintenance, machining, welding, or mechanics.
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Reliable attendance and a solid work history.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and work as part of a team.

TRAINING AND ADVANCEMENT:

• Trainees are paired with an experienced Sr. Manufacturing Operator throughout onboarding. The training path is structured in three stages:
• Days 1–30 — Safety, plant orientation, material handling, quality standards, and assisting at the machine.
• Days 31–90 — Supervised operation, routine maintenance tasks, and basic machine adjustments. Wage review at 90 days.
• Months 4–12 — Progressively independent setup and changeover, quality troubleshooting, and readiness assessment for promotion to Sr. Manufacturing Operator.
• Trainees who demonstrate proficiency are the primary internal candidates for Sr. Manufacturing Operator openings, which currently pay a base of $21.00 – $24.00 per hour ($23.00 – $26.00 with the 2nd shift differential).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Manufacturing/Printing facility with exposure to machinery noise.
• Fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to move or traverse the facilities.
• Standing: may stand for 70–95% of the time.
• Walking: may walk for 10–15% of the time.
• Lifting: may lift and carry items that weigh 5–30 pounds on average, and up to 45 pounds or more occasionally. Most items are carried by hand and lifted to knee or waist level, but some may need to be lifted to chest level or overhead.
• Reaching: may reach with their hands and arms.
• Use of hands: may use their hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. They may also need to grasp, move, or assemble small objects, and make fast, repeated movements with their fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Vision: may need close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. They may also need to see details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities or may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The employee acknowledges that they understand the functional and physical requirements of the position and confirms that they can perform them with or without reasonable accommodation. While this is intended to accurately reflect the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.