Press Operator jobs in La Crosse, WI

What We Do At Inland:

Inland Packaging is a local label and packaging manufacturer seeking a Press Floater Operator to join our growing team. Here at Inland, we print labels for brands like Kraft Heinz, New Glarus Brewing, Sprecher’s, Leinenkugel’s, and Coors Light. Inland family-owned business (80 years- to be exact) that invests in cutting edge technology and provides endless career advancement opportunities.

Job Summary:

The Press Floater Operator is responsible for training and becoming certified on all of Inland’s Gravure printing presses in both the Lead and Second Operator positions. This role will also certify on Gravure processes and equipment to allow for proper cross training to meet business demands. Once certified, this position will be required to perform duties that increase departmental efficiencies, increase asset uptime, reduce waste, and increase throughput. The Press Floater Operator will fill in for any staffing gaps related to call outs, leaves of absences or other related vacancies, on all shifts and crews. This position must complete their job functions in a manner that produces the highest quality product at the lowest possible cost, while meeting performance standards, customer specifications and delivery requirements.

The Press Floater Operator must exhibit a safety-first attitude while performing all job functions and uphold company and department policies, procedures, and standards. This individual must be a team player and will readily float across various operational areas to assist in the overall efficiency of the operations. Successful individuals will possess the drive to continue to grow within the Operations group and will tenaciously pursue skill development opportunities. The Press Floater Operator must have the desire to advance within the department and take on roles and responsibilities that scale in ownership.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

• Reads and understands a job ticket and interprets layouts to ensure correct product is produced to quantity and specification.
• Responsible for the entire crew on the press, the maintenance and the production and quality of all material printed on the press. The Press Floater Operator will manage the setup, make-ready and running of all products to acceptable standards within the allocated time and materials for each job.
• Maintains overall production and quality of jobs by operating press according to standard operating procedures and making decisions regarding color control and color standards, achieving and monitoring color for consistency.
• Owns Press department KPIs to drive improvement in throughput, waste, quality, and downtime.
• Assigns, trains, and directs the work of the Lead Gravure Press Operator, Gravure Second Press Operator and Press Trainees; including training to operate equipment through breaks and lunches to increase operational efficiencies.
• Motivates team members to work as a collective unit to meet or beat production goals and serves as a mentor to other employees to support growth within the facility.
• Serves as the primary trainer for new press personnel and administers departmental training programs. Suggested changes and enhancements to training curriculum, including updates to documentation and standard work instructions. Consistently communicates with management regarding the progress of the training curriculum and any roadblocks.
• Assists employees in resolving daily issues that arise to ensure employee safety and quality and productivity goals and standards are achieved (i.e. breakdowns, quality concerns, shipping needs, staff adjustments, etc.).
• Directs work activities and staff as needed to support production goals.
• Assists Production Supervisor / Leadership with identifying, prioritizing, addressing, and driving initiatives related to SQP (safety, quality, and productivity).
• Coaches and supports employees regarding job related issues and serves as a mentor for questions or concerns.
• Completes necessary paperwork and records, including recording operations performance and process data within metrics, CMMS, and ERP system.
• Monitors production and quality throughout the run, adjustments to reduce waste; ensures product meets all physical and visual requirements for quality.
• Responsible for making minor equipment adjustments, completing basic repairs, using hand tools as well as participating in preventative maintenance programs.
• Operates material handling equipment to move loads to staging area for finishing.
• Ensures all press procedures are followed and suggests updates to documentation.
• Recommends optimal strategies and ideas for efficient use of materials, equipment, and scheduling.
• Maintains a clean workspace during and after each job and actively participates in 5S initiatives.
• Supports facility’s continuous improvement efforts, including participation in Kaizen events and lean initiatives.
• Assists in developing the department’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Successfully learns, completes, and demonstrates performance of the curriculum specified in the Lead Gravure Press Operator and Gravure Second Press role and participates in cross-training activities to further knowledge of press department practices.
• Performs Gravure department functions, as needed, to cover vacations, staffing vacancies, leave of absences, etc. Training curriculum checked off and certified within 12 months of hire / transfer.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• High school diploma or general education degree
• 5 years of experience operating an Gravure Press and/or a combination of relevant education and experience required. Technical background or training required.
• Demonstrated experience performing job functions in an ethical manner, while also operating in a team environment to accomplish results.
• Must possess a positive attitude, have a desire to learn, willing to adhere to processes, cleanliness, and tidiness requirements.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining efficient time management, reliable attendance, and strong work ethic.
• Must possess strong math skills as well as proficient computer skills as all job responsibilities include technology, including PC work.
• Must be detail oriented with the ability to troubleshoot and solve production related problems.
• Ability to foster strong working relationships with coworkers and Inland leadership team.
• Must be willing to learn and grow technical skills and abilities within the Press department.
• Ability to read a ruler and understand measurements.

Work Environment:

• Operates in a demanding, fast-paced, people-oriented manufacturing environment with frequent changes and interruptions, and multiple project assignments. Works with a variety of people including vendors, customers, employees, managers, and executives.

Required Work Schedule:

• Saturday – Friday rotating 12-hour shifts, 6:00 pm – 6:00 am
• Must participate in overtime requirements, as dictated by the Union Contract.

Physical Requirements:

Must meet physical demands identified on work screen protocol, including standing for the complete work shift. Must be able to stoop, kneel, and climb a ladder and/or stairs. Vision corrected to 20/40; Must pass Ishihara Color Assessment