Tray Former Operator

TRAY FORMER OPERATOR (DAY SHIFT)

Print Field: Packaging (Folding Cartons)
Reporting To: Production Operations Director
Start Date: 3–4 weeks
Location: Woodbridge (Hwy 427 / Hwy 7)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (5 × 8-hour shifts – 40 hours per week)
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary

White House Packaging & Design is seeking a skilled and dependable Tray Former Operator. The Operator is responsible for safely and efficiently setting up, operating, monitoring, and maintaining the equipment to produce high-quality folding carton and paperboard trays in accordance with customer specifications and company quality standards.

The successful candidate will be mechanically inclined, quality-focused, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently while maintaining production targets and established safety, GMP, and SQF requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Machine Setup & Operation

• Set up and operate the tray former according to job specifications and production requirements.
• Review production dockets, job specifications, samples, and approved work instructions prior to starting a job.
• Complete machine changeovers, including tooling, guides, feeders, forming components, and other required adjustments.
• Set machine speeds, pressures, temperatures, timing, and other operating parameters as required for the specific job.
• Load and properly position paperboard blanks and other production materials.
• Start up equipment and perform first-off inspections before releasing production.
• Monitor machine operation continuously and adjust as required to maintain consistent production.
• Maintain efficient production flow while minimizing waste, downtime, and machine stoppages.
• Ensure finished product is properly counted, stacked, bundled, packaged, identified, and transferred to the appropriate location.

Quality & Compliance Responsibilities

• Ensure jobs meet internal quality standards and customer requirements.
• Inspect finished product throughout the production run to ensure it meets customer specifications and approved samples.
• Check critical characteristics including dimensions, forming, scoring, folding, gluing/adhesion, squareness, appearance, and overall workmanship, as applicable.
• Identify and isolate non-conforming product immediately.
• Complete required quality checks and production documentation accurately.
• Stop production and notify the appropriate supervisor when quality requirements cannot be maintained.
• Ensure only approved materials and components are used for each job.
• Follow SQF, GMP, HACCP, food packaging, pharmaceutical, and other regulated packaging requirements, as applicable.
• Participate in quality audits and corrective action processes as required.

Troubleshooting & Equipment Care

• Identify and correct routine machine operating problems and production issues.
• Make appropriate adjustments to maintain consistent product quality and machine performance.
• Escalate mechanical, electrical, tooling, or equipment issues that cannot be safely corrected by the Operator.
• Perform routine cleaning, lubrication, inspection, and operator-level preventative maintenance as required.
• Keep the machine and surrounding work area clean, organized, and free of hazards.
• Report equipment deficiencies, unusual noises, wear, leaks, or other concerns promptly.

Safety, GMP & SQF Responsibilities

• Operate all equipment in accordance with company safety procedures and manufacturer requirements.
• Follow all applicable WHMIS, PPE, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and workplace safety requirements.
• Follow established GMP, HACCP, SQF, and food-packaging procedures applicable to the production area.
• Maintain proper housekeeping and hygiene standards.
• Prevent contamination, foreign material, product mix-ups, and damage to customer product.
• Immediately report any food-safety, product-safety, quality, or equipment concern.
• Follow established procedures for handling rejected, quarantined, or non-conforming product.

Communication & Collaboration

• Work effectively as part of the production team and maintain a positive, professional working environment.
• Communicate clearly with Production Management, Production Coordinators, other production staff, and plant management.
• Communicate job status, production issues, quality concerns, machine performance, and downtime promptly.
• Work collaboratively with Maintenance and other departments to resolve production or equipment issues.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of experience operating a tray former – MUST HAVE.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read and understand production dockets, layouts, samples, and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of paperboard, corrugated, or folding carton materials.
• Understanding of tray-forming tolerances and quality standards.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work overtime and meet production deadlines when required.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, SQF Food Safety, and Continuous Improvement practices is an asset.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the shift.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and move materials and finished product as required.
• Ability to perform repetitive movements and manual handling associated with machine operation.
• Ability to work around operating industrial machinery while following all required safety procedures.
• Ability to wear required PPE.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• May require occasional overtime to meet production requirements and customer deadlines.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong attention to detail.
• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
• Dependability and punctuality.
• A strong commitment to quality.
• A safety-first mindset.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to follow procedures and instructions.
• Pride in workmanship.
• Ability to remain organized and focused during high-volume production.
• Willingness to learn and take ownership of equipment performance.

Performance Expectations

The Tray Former Operator is expected to:

• Produce quality product consistently to customer specifications.
• Operate the tray former safely and efficiently.
• Maintain established production and waste targets.
• Complete accurate production and quality documentation.
• Minimize unnecessary downtime and material waste.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation.
• Follow all company safety, GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements.
• Communicate production or quality issues promptly.
• Take ownership of the machine and the quality of the product being produced.

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Experience:

• Tray Forming: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person