Machine Operator

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Machine Operator is responsible for operating bindery and finishing equipment to produce high-quality printed materials that meet customer specifications, quality standards, and production schedules. This role sets up, adjusts, and operates programmable paper cutters and related bindery equipment; interprets job tickets, trim sizes, cut sequences, and production specifications; and verifies finished work for dimensional accuracy, alignment, and overall quality. The Machine Operator works closely with production, prepress, fulfillment, and shipping teams to ensure jobs are completed accurately, safely, efficiently, and on time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Bindery & Finishing Operations

• Operate bindery and finishing equipment such as the knife, folders, stitchers, binders, laminators, and other post-press machinery as trained and assigned.
• Set up, adjust, and run equipment according to job tickets and production specifications.
• Ensure finished products meet quality standards for trim, alignment, binding, and overall appearance.

Knife / Cutting Operations

• Operate programmable paper cutters/knives and related cutting equipment as the primary area of specialty.
• Review job tickets, layouts, trim specifications, and production instructions to determine correct cut sizes, sequences, and setup requirements.
• Set up, program, adjust, and run cutting equipment to achieve accurate dimensions, square cuts, consistent trims, and clean finished edges.
• Perform test cuts and verify measurements before and throughout production runs using appropriate measuring tools and quality checks.
• Safely jog, lift, position, clamp, cut, stack, and stage printed materials while protecting product quality and maintaining efficient workflow.
• Monitor blade condition and cutting performance; promptly report blade, clamp, back-gauge, mechanical, or safety concerns and coordinate required service or blade changes in accordance with established procedures.

Production, Quality & Workflow Support

• Maintain production schedules by completing assigned jobs efficiently and accurately and communicating job status, issues, or delays to supervision.
• Inspect work throughout the production process and identify and correct errors promptly to minimize waste, rework, and production delays.
• Verify finished jobs before they move to the next production stage, fulfillment, or shipping.
• Coordinate with production, prepress, fulfillment, and shipping teams to support smooth job flow and customer requirements.

Equipment Care, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Perform routine cleaning, operator maintenance, and basic troubleshooting on cutters and other bindery equipment.
• Follow proper machine guarding, startup, shutdown, lockout/tagout, and other established safety procedures, particularly when working around cutting equipment and blades.
• Follow company safety policies, procedures, applicable OSHA requirements, and required personal protective equipment (PPE) practices.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area that supports efficient material flow and safe equipment operation.
• Support process improvement initiatives that increase productivity, improve quality, and reduce setup time, waste, and rework.
• Assist other production areas as needed and demonstrate teamwork, accountability, and flexibility in daily operations.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Machine Efficiency & Productivity

• Target: Operate cutting and bindery equipment efficiently while maintaining required quality and minimizing unnecessary setup time and downtime.
• Measured By: Output per shift, setup and changeover times, equipment downtime, production records, and supervisor observations.

Cut Accuracy & Finished Quality

• Target: Consistently produce accurately cut and finished materials that meet job ticket dimensions, customer specifications, and quality standards.
• Measured By: Quality inspections, dimensional/trim checks, number of cutting or finishing defects, rejected jobs, rework, and customer-reported quality issues.

On-Time Job Completion

• Target: Complete assigned cutting and bindery work according to production schedules while supporting downstream workflow requirements.
• Measured By: Production records, percentage of assigned jobs completed by scheduled deadlines, job status reporting, and supervisor review.

Waste & Rework Control

• Target: Minimize material waste and avoid preventable rework through accurate setup, measurement, cutting, and in-process quality checks.
• Measured By: Spoilage and waste records, rework incidents, remake documentation, and production variance review.

Safety & Equipment Compliance

• Target: Operate knives/cutters and other bindery equipment in accordance with machine guarding, lockout/tagout, PPE, and company safety requirements.
• Measured By: Safety observations, incident and near-miss reports, training completion, equipment inspection records, and adherence to established procedures.

Equipment Care & Reliability

• Target: Maintain assigned equipment and work areas to support safe, dependable operation and promptly communicate mechanical concerns.
• Measured By: Preventive/operator maintenance records, cleanliness and equipment inspections, reported equipment issues, and avoidable downtime incidents.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to set up, program, operate, and adjust programmable paper cutters/knives and other bindery equipment.
• Strong measurement skills and attention to detail, with the ability to verify trim sizes, alignment, squareness, and finished-product quality.
• Ability to read and follow job tickets, layouts, production instructions, and specifications.
• Working knowledge of safe cutting practices, machine guarding, and lockout/tagout procedures, or the ability to learn and consistently apply them.
• Ability to troubleshoot routine equipment and production issues and communicate concerns promptly.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with production and support teams.

EXPERIENCE

• 1-3 years of experience operating bindery or finishing equipment in a commercial print or similar production environment preferred.
• Hands-on experience operating programmable paper cutters/knives strongly preferred.
• Experience with additional bindery equipment such as folders, stitchers, binders, or laminators preferred.
• Entry-level candidates with relevant manufacturing or machine-operation experience and demonstrated mechanical aptitude may be considered.

ADA ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the workday, including up to 8-10 hours as production needs require.
• Frequently required to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, and reach while setting up equipment and handling materials.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and/or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 25 pounds frequently.
• Manual dexterity and coordinated use of hands and arms sufficient to operate cutter controls, position materials, perform measurements, and complete machine setup and material-handling tasks.
• Visual acuity sufficient to read job tickets and measurements; inspect trim, alignment, and print quality; and safely operate production equipment.
• Auditory ability sufficient to hear alarms, equipment sounds, instructions, and communicate effectively in a production environment.
• Ability to work safely around powered cutting and bindery equipment and follow required machine guarding, PPE, and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Ability to work a standard full-time schedule, including overtime as required to meet production demands.
• On-site presence is required to perform essential job functions.

Pay: $19.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• On-the-job training
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person