Lead Mailer (Production Worker)

The Seattle Times, the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, is looking for a reliable Production Worker (Lead) to join our Packaging and Assembly team. Also referred to as Lead Mailer, this role helps coordinate with the team who prepares our print product before delivery. As a member of our Packaging and Assembly group, you will collate newspaper bundles, remove inserts off pallets, organize bulk print products, troubleshoot logistic issues, and feed mechanical insert machines for daily publications. Successful applicants should possess prior lead or supervisory experience and use strong communication skills with other team members to help ensure a quality product is produced on time.

Schedule: This position has regular days and hours with occasional change for vacation or illness coverage. This position requires flexible work hours and days depending on project/scheduling needs but is typically a consistent schedule. Expected schedule is 6:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Saturday evening and 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. from Sunday to Wednesday.
 
Responsibilities

• Guide team’s effort with insertion, packaging, assembly, and labelling of products.
• Insert and collate additional print products and sections into individual print products either manually or via a mechanical insert machine.
• Manage and maintain the production line to ensure high quality assurance of bulk print product.
• Bundle and package product with appropriate stacking and strapping to prepare for final delivery to customers and businesses.
• Assist Production team with other Packaging and Assembly projects as needed.
• Organize completed bundles according to specific delivery routes, postal codes, and carrier drop-off points using count verification systems.
• Set up machinery according to daily page specifications, clear paper jams quickly, and perform basic cleaning to keep conveyor systems running smoothly.

  
Qualifications

• **Experience:**At least one year of previous warehouse/industrial experience preferred (but not required). Supervisory or lead experience preferred. Willing to train right individual.
• **Education:**must have high school diploma (or equivalent).
• Some management, supervisor, or lead experience.
• Basic proficiency in English, both written and oral, as well as basic math skills.
• Must be able to regularly lift and move up to 35 pounds during length of shift.
• Ability to bend, reach, lift, and pull repetitively; and stand and walk continuously.
• Must be able to understand and follow safety guidelines.
• Able to work in a noisy environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Optional life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term care insurance
• 401(k) plan and an employer contribution to a pension plan administered by the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust
• 10 days of annual vacation accrual, increasing with tenure up to 20 days
• Sick pay accrues at a rate of .025 hour per hour worked
• 9 paid holidays
• Free parking
• Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
• Wellness program
• Parental leave options

Compensation: internal applicants are eligible to be paid between $22.41 and $25.53 per hour, depending on length of service. 

Please note for external applications: this position requires you to join a union and pay ongoing union dues each month. In addition, you will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screen for controlled substances (excluding cannabis) once an offer has been made.