Press Operator III

Agupdate; Rockaway (NJ); On-site; USD 79,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Gannett Publishing Services/USA TODAY CO in Rockaway, NJ is seeking a Press Operator III (Lead Operator) to lead pressroom operations on shift and ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

You will coordinate staffing and workflow, troubleshoot operational issues, and partner with maintenance and support teams to meet production schedules and quality standards. The role requires directing personnel, overseeing setup, and maintaining quality while driving downtime reductions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and strong organizational/decision-making skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and perform effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• Mechanical aptitude with proven troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, including accurate shift reporting.
• Basic math skills and strong attention to detail/quality.
• Working knowledge of production scheduling systems (Goss, MPS/ABB, Newsway preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead pressroom staff; coordinate daily assignments and staffing.
• Oversee press setup, make-ready, and production runs; monitor color and registration.
• Troubleshoot press/plate/material issues to minimize downtime.
• Maintain on-time production while meeting quality and waste targets.
• Complete accurate shift reports and downtime tracking; communicate status and risks.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Decision making

Troubleshooting

Communication

Teamwork

Math skills

Attention to detail

Production scheduling knowledge

Tools

Goss

MPS/ABB

Newsway

Job description

Press Operator III (Lead Operator)

Gannett Publishing Services/USA TODAY CO

Rockaway, NJ

We are offering an hourly salary of $38-$40 per hour based on background and work-related experience.

About the Role

We are seeking a Press Operator III (Lead Operator) to lead pressroom operations on shift and ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. In this role, you will coordinate staffing and workflow, troubleshoot operational issues, and partner with maintenance and support teams to meet production schedules and quality standards.

Requirements

Lead and direct pressroom personnel; coordinate daily assignments and staffing; manage workflow to meet production schedules; provide clear shift handoffs and communicate priorities. Oversee press setup, make-ready, and production runs; monitor print quality (color, registration, waste) and make adjustments as needed; troubleshoot press/plate/material issues to minimize downtime. Maintain on-time production while meeting quality and waste targets; identify bottlenecks and drive corrective actions; ensure efficient use of materials and consumables. Coach, guide, and train operators on the floor; reinforce operating standards; support skill development and cross-training. Promote and enforce safety procedures, PPE, and machine guarding; maintain a clean, hazard-free work area; report incidents, near-misses, and unsafe conditions promptly. Complete accurate shift reports and downtime tracking; communicate production status and risks; coordinate with maintenance and support teams to sustain production flow.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated leadership and strong organizational/decision-making skills. Ability to prioritize tasks and perform effectively in a fast-paced production environment. Mechanical aptitude with proven troubleshooting skills. Strong communication and teamwork skills, including accurate shift reporting. Basic math skills and strong attention to detail/quality. Working knowledge of production scheduling systems (Goss, MPS/ABB, Newsway preferred). Availability to work rotating or fixed shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience as a lead operator or shift lead in a pressroom or comparable manufacturing environment. Hands-on experience with press production systems (e.g., Goss, MPS/ABB, Newsway). Demonstrated ability to reduce downtime, waste, and rework through process discipline and troubleshooting.

Work Schedule

This position supports a production environment and may require rotating or fixed shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Requires prolonged standing and walking, stair climbing on a multi-level press structure, and occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. Must be able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. and push/pull up to 2,000 lbs. (pallet jack assisted). Work is performed in an industrial pressroom environment with exposure to noise and heat; ability to work safely in confined areas is required. Color vision is required.