Press Apprentice – 12-hr shifts (3/2, $1.50 night diff, $23-$26)

HiFyve; Rome (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

HiFyve in Rome, GA, is seeking a Press Apprentice for a 12-hour rotating schedule in a wide web flexographic printing department. This structured apprenticeship trains experienced machine operators to become full Press Operators through hands-on learning and sign-offs.

You will work beside an experienced Press Operator, learning setup, running production, ensuring quality, and reducing waste. Advancement depends on demonstrated competency and formal training completion.

Qualifications

• 2 to 3 years operating a production machine in manufacturing.
• Ability to set up, operate and troubleshoot equipment with minimal supervision.
• Experience with in-process quality checks and production paperwork.

Responsibilities

• Operate press safely and follow all policies and procedures.
• Read and interpret Job Jacket and History Folder.
• Load raw material rolls and prepare splices; unwind and rewind handling.
• Set up orders and check out to customer specifications under supervision.
• Monitor print quality and adjust settings to standards.
• Record color densities with X-Rite and maintain color swatches.
• Pull tear sheets and manage QA samples for production rolls.

Skills

Press operator

Mechanical aptitude

Quality checks

Teamwork

Tools

Radius system

X-Rite densitometer

UPC scanner

Job description

PRESS APPRENTICE (FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTING) – 12-HOUR SHIFTS

Rome, GA (Northwest Georgia) | Full-time, direct hire

Schedule: 12-hour shifts on a 3/2 rotating schedule | $1.50/hour night shift differential | must be flexible to work all shifts during training

Pay: $23 to $26/hour depending on experience

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

A flexible packaging manufacturer in Rome, GA is adding Press Apprentices to its wide web flexographic printing department. This is a structured apprentice program for experienced machine operators who want to become full Press Operators. You will work side by side with an experienced Press Operator, learning to set up print orders, run the press to production standards and produce quality material with minimal waste. Advancement to Press Operator is based on demonstrated competency and sign-off, not time alone.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Safely operate all press safety devices and follow all policies and procedures

• Read and interpret the Job Jacket and History Folder

• Retrieve plate cylinders for the next order

• Load raw material rolls into the unwind and prepare splices

• Remove printed rolls from the rewind, load empty cores, cut to size and prepare for splicing

• Palletize printed rolls and unused raw material rolls

• Retrieve inks from the ink room for each job, verify ink type and maintain proper viscosity

• Verify raw material film type and wind direction

• Wash down print decks, remove sleeves, hook up inks and clean or remove doctor blades

• Set up and check out orders to customer specifications under the direction of the Press Operator

• Operate the press during production runs and monitor and adjust print quality

• Operate the X-Rite densitometer and UPC scanner; record color densities and Delta E values

• Pull and sign off on tear sheets for each production roll; save color swatches

• Learn to set up and operate the Radius system and apply artwork and color standards

• Prepare QA samples, label completed rolls going to WIP and return unused rolls to inventory

• Use the QA Hold Tag system and document defective material

• Weigh waste and complete waste, production and material pick-sheet paperwork

• Communicate with incoming and outgoing operators at shift change

• Follow GMPs and SQF food safety requirements; keep the work area clean

• Perform assigned preventive maintenance and handle hazardous waste drums properly

• Complete all apprentice training and competency sign-offs

WHAT YOU NEED

• 2 to 3 years of experience as the main operator of a production machine (printing press, slitter, laminator, bag machine or similar) in a manufacturing, converting or packaging environment

• Proven ability to set up, operate and troubleshoot equipment to specifications with minimal supervision

• Experience with in-process quality checks and production and waste paperwork

• Mechanical aptitude and a goal of advancing to Press Operator

• Flexographic printing experience preferred but not required

• Knowledge of GMP, food safety and SQF standards, or willingness to learn

• Good verbal and written communication and teamwork skills; continuous improvement experience a plus

• Ability to read work instructions, follow verbal direction and accurately read a tape measure

• Commitment to safety and quality

TRAINING

• Minimum of 9 months of on-the-job training with an experienced Press Operator

• Hazardous waste training within six months of hire and annually after

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Lift up to 50 lbs and stand for most of the shift

• Production floor with moving equipment, inks and noise; PPE required

• Must be flexible to work all shifts as needed for support and training