Offset Press Operator

Smurfit Westrock; Marion (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in the United States is seeking a printing press operator to lead and train assistants, prepare a sheet-fed offset press, and ensure color accuracy across multi-color runs.

You will verify customer approvals, set up plates and fountains, monitor ink flow, and maintain press conditions with spectrophotometer guidance. The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and adherence to SQF guidelines.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of work-related experience in a manufacturing environment running a multi-color printing press and/or training.
• Good mathematical ability, including understanding of measurements.
• Good computer skills.
• Good problem-solving skills; ability to follow written and verbal instructions; ability to work in a team and with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and monitor the work of Assistant Press Operators and the feeder/jogger functions.
• Prepare and operate a sheet-fed offset printing press to print single and multicolor copies from lithographic plates.
• Record sheet counts and perform line clearance; examine job orders to determine quantity, stock specifications, colors, and special printing instructions.
• Verify copy against customer approvals or signed color standards.
• Set plates and fountains to achieve correct thickness on rollers; save plate settings to computer.
• Fill ink and dampening solution fountains and adjust controls to regulate flow to the plate cylinder.
• Load or remove printing plates and install and lock coating plates in position.
• Start press and examine printed copies for ink density, position on paper, and registration; set up scanning densitometer and save settings.
• Understand how to achieve color using the spectrophotometer; make adjustments to the press during production runs to maintain registration and color density.
• Remove and clean coating plates, printing blankets, and cylinders; assist in repair and preventative maintenance of the press.
• Serve as a trainer for the Press Operator B and C positions.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, safety rules, security procedures and instructions; wear all required PPEs.
• Help keep the department in specification within all 5S and SQF guidelines and promptly report any food safety concerns to management.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Printing Manager or Shift Supervisor.

Skills

Printing press operation

Team leadership

Quality control

Mathematical skills

Computer literacy

Tools

Spectrophotometer

Densitometer

Sheet-fed offset press

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and monitor the work of Assistant Press Operators and the feeder/jogger functions.
• Prepare and operate a sheet-fed offset printing press to print single and multicolor copies from lithographic plates.
• Record sheet counts and perform line clearance; examine job orders to determine quantity, stock specifications, colors, and special printing instructions.
• Verify copy against customer approvals or signed color standards.
• Set plates and fountains to achieve correct thickness on rollers; save plate settings to computer.
• Fill ink and dampening solution fountains and adjust controls to regulate flow to the plate cylinder.
• Apply packing sheets to the blanket cylinder to build up blanket thickness to the diameter of the plate cylinder.
• Load or remove printing plates and install and lock coating plates in position.
• Start press and examine printed copies for ink density, position on paper, and registration; set up scanning densitometer and save settings.
• Understand how to achieve color using the spectrophotometer; make adjustments to the press during production runs to maintain registration and color density.
• Remove and clean coating plates, printing blankets, and cylinders; assist in repair and preventative maintenance of the press.
• Serve as a trainer for the Press Operator B and C positions.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures, safety rules, security procedures and instructions; wear all required PPEs.
• Help keep the department in specification within all 5S and SQF guidelines and promptly report any food safety concerns to management.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Printing Manager or Shift Supervisor.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of work-related experience in a manufacturing environment running a multi-color printing press and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Good mathematical ability, including understanding of measurements.
• Good computer skills.
• Good problem-solving skills; ability to follow written and verbal instructions; ability to work in a team and with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work with little supervision.

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.