Rotary Die Cutter Assistant Operator

ND Paper; Langhorne (Bucks County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

ND Paper in Langhorne, PA seeks a 1st Assistant Operator on the Rotary Die Cutter (RDC). You will support setup, die changeover, quality checks, and outfeed management as part of a two-person crew, progressing toward operator responsibilities.

The role requires mechanical aptitude, attention to dimensional quality, and ability to work at machine speed with supervision. Prior RDC experience is preferred; Mandarin is a plus. ND Paper offers stability and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6–12 months of experience in a manufacturing equipment setting; direct RDC experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read a job ticket and translate die layout, blank size, score placement, and bundle count into machine setup parameters.
• Familiarity with corrugated quality standards: cut sharpness, nicking tolerance, score depth, blank squareness, and acceptable dimensional variance.
• Mechanical aptitude: comfortable working around rotating equipment, tooling, and mechanical adjustments under Operator direction.
• Physical ability to handle rotary dies, which may weigh 50–150 lbs; team lift protocols required for large dies.
• Mandarin language skills are a plus

Responsibilities

• Assist die changeover: remove outgoing die, clean components, mount new die, verify registration.
• Set up stripping section: configure fingers, hold-down shoes, and waste removal chutes.
• Manage outfeed and stacking: set stacker, shingling, and bundle ejection parameters; verify bundle counts.
• Perform first-article checks: measure cuts, verify die cut quality, nicking, crease depth, and squareness.
• Conduct in-process quality pulls and log results; alert Operator to out-of-tolerance conditions.
• Monitor stripping performance; identify and communicate strip failures to prevent downtime.
• Feed sheets into the infeed; maintain registration and sheet flow.
• Assist with print registration verification on RDCs with print stations.
• Log downtime events with reason, duration, and corrective action.
• Maintain a clean stripping/outfeed area; clear waste continuously.
• Operate the machine independently for short durations with supervisor approval.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Job ticket reading

Physical stamina

Mandarin a plus

Tools

Rotary die cutter operation

Job description

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Converting Regular Operation Langhorne, Langhorne, PA, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1388

Department: Converting

Reports to: Converting Supervisor

Location: Converting Floor

Position Summary: The 1st Assistant Operator on the Rotary Die Cutter (RDC) supports the Operator in machine setup, die changeover, quality inspection, and outfeed management. Unlike the FFG, the RDC operates with a two-person crew in most configurations, making the 1st Assistant a more active participant in the full production cycle from the start. This role requires mechanical awareness, dimensional quality competency, and the ability to work efficiently under production speed with limited direct instruction. The 1st Assistant is expected to be developing toward full Operator capability.

Compensation

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At ND Paper, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

About Us

ND Paper is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pulp, paper, and packaging products in the United States, generating over half a billion dollars in annual sales. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited – the largest containerboard producer in the world – ND Paper is part of a global network committed to excellence and innovation. With two integrated pulp and paper mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin, a packaging plant in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and two sheeting facilities in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and Fairmont, West Virginia, the ND Paper family produces nearly one million tons of products annually. Our 1,100 dedicated employees are the heart of our operations, and we are committed to fostering positive work environments where individuals can advance and thrive. At ND Paper, we are investing in our future, and that starts with our staff.

Key Responsibilities & Expected Results:

• Assist the Operator with die changeover: remove outgoing die, clean anvil and cutting cylinder, mount incoming rotary die, and verify die registration and anvil clearance per job specifications.
• Set up and verify the stripping section: configure stripping fingers, hold-down shoes, and waste removal chutes for the incoming blank geometry.
• Manage the outfeed and stacking section: set stacker, shingling, and bundle ejection parameters; verify bundle integrity and count accuracy against the job ticket.
• Perform first-article dimensional checks at job startup: measure cut dimensions, verify die cut clarity and nick placement, check score depth and crease quality, and confirm blank squareness.
• Conduct in-process quality pulls at defined intervals; document results on the job quality log and immediately alert the Operator to any out-of-tolerance condition.
• Monitor stripping performance throughout the run: identify and communicate strip failures, waste hang-ups, or skeleton jams before they cause downtime or damage.
• Feed sheets into the infeed section as needed, maintaining registration and sheet flow consistent with machine speed.
• Assist with print registration verification on RDCs equipped with print stations, alert Operator to registration drift between quality checks.
• Log all downtime events during the run with reason code, duration, and corrective action; do not leave events uncoded at shift end.
• Maintain a clean stripping section and outfeed area throughout the shift, clear skeleton waste and trim accumulation continuously.
• Operate the machine independently for short durations at Supervisor authorization and within demonstrated competency.

RDC – Specific Technical Knowledge- Development Targets

• Understand rotary die construction: cutting rules, creasing channels, nicks, and how die condition affects cut quality and blank integrity.
• Identify signs of die wear: dull cutting rules, crushed creasing channels, excessive nicking, and how each manifest in the finished blank.
• Understand anvil cover condition and rotation schedule; recognize when anvil wear is affecting cut quality.
• Know the relationship between die height, anvil clearance, and cutting pressure — and what happens when that relationship is out of tolerance.
• Understand how stripping geometry is configured for different blank styles and why strip failures occur on complex die layouts.

Qualifications and Skills /Education and Experience

• Minimum 6–12 months of experience in a manufacturing equipment setting; direct RDC experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read a job ticket and translate die layout, blank size, score placement, and bundle count into machine setup parameters.
• Familiarity with corrugated quality standards: cut sharpness, nicking tolerance, score depth, blank squareness, and acceptable dimensional variance.
• Mechanical aptitude: comfortable working around rotating equipment, tooling, and mechanical adjustments under Operator direction.
• Physical ability to handle rotary dies, which may weigh 50–150 lbs. depending on size; team lift protocols required for large dies.
• Bilingual in Mandarin a plus

Physical Requirements

• Frequent lifting, carrying, and positioning of rotary dies — team lift required above 50 lbs.
• Standing and working at machine height for full shift duration (8–12 hours).
• Repetitive bending, reaching, and manual stacking at outfeed throughout the shift.
• Required PPE: steel-toed boots, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves when handling dies, hearing protection in designated areas.

What Success Looks Like-First 90 days

• Executes a full die changeover alongside the Operator, completing die mount, stripping setup, and outfeed configuration within the established changeover target.
• Correctly identifies and flags a dimensional out-of-tolerance condition during a first-article check before any product is released to the outfeed.
• Accurately identifies die wear indicators on at least two separate jobs and communicates findings to the Operator and Supervisor.
• Logs downtime events accurately and completely on every shift worked.
• Demonstrates clean, consistent outfeed management — no missed bundles, correct stacking, accurate counts — across multiple job types.

Advancement Path

1st Assistant → RDC Operator. Advancement requires demonstrated ability to set up a job independently from job ticket to first-article approval, manage in-process quality without direction, and lead a crew in the Operator role. Supervisor sign-off and documented competency verification required.

Working Conditions

Attributes for Success

• Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand.
• Pursuit of Excellence – strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond.
• Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
• Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
• Adaptability – be fluid with ND Paper’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
• Servant Leadership – set an example by implementing meaningful leadership with heart, empathy, foresight and stewardship.