Bag Machine Operator

Description

Safely operate, set up, adjust, and maintain paper bag machines and flexographic printing presses. This role is responsible for ensuring efficient production, maintaining high-quality standards, carrying out routine mechanical adjustments, and supporting team operations to satisfy customer orders on schedule.

• Set up, adjust, and operate paper bag machinery, printing presses, and auxiliary equipment according to work orders and job packets.

• Prepare raw materials for production (e.g., stripping, preparing, setting, and changing paper rolls and ink).

• Mount photopolymer flexo plates to cylinders/sleeves and make precise machine adjustments for job changes or print specifications.

• Maximize machine speed and capacity while maintaining zero-defect quality; actively work to reduce set-up time and operational downtime.

• Perform preventative maintenance, basic troubleshooting, repairs, and reset/adjust machinery following minor malfunctions or performance issues.

• Identify mechanical concerns and report escalations to the Production Supervisor, Production Manager, or Maintenance Specialists.

• Assist in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Perform initial ("first bag out") quality checks and continuous inline inspections to ensure packaging integrity, proper dimensions, correct weights, and accurate print quality.

• Immediately isolate non-conforming product/waste to prevent defective bags from reaching the customer.

• Strictly adhere to plant safety rules, company policies, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

• Gather, count, and package finished bags into boxes/bags; stack and secure pallet loads in an orderly manner using pallet jacks or lift trucks.

• Complete accurate daily production entries, including status reports, safety records, scrap counts, and quality tracking.

• Train, assist, and mentor Assistant Operators, Machine Operators, Machine Helpers, and Production Utility personnel on setup, safe operation, and quality control.

• Actively participate in the Plant Safety Committee and cross-train across various plant machines/roles to support operational growth.

• Maintain a clean, organized work area (5S/housekeeping) including equipment, breakrooms, and shared spaces.

• Work overtime, short-notice shift variations, and holiday schedules as required by customer demand (24/7/365 environment).

• Education: High School Diploma or GED preferred

• Preferred Experience:

  • Minimum: 6+ months manufacturing/production experience.

  • Preferred: 2 to 4 years of prior experience operating paper bag, envelope, or flexo-folder gluer machines within the packaging/converting industry.

• Technical & Math Skills:

  • Basic reading comprehension and ability to read work order packets.

  • Working knowledge of flexographic printing and paper converting machinery.

  • Proficient with touch-screen controls, basic mechanical troubleshooting, and using a tape measure with speed and accuracy.

  • Ability to apply practical high school math concepts (percentages, rates, measurements, volumes).

• Certifications: Lift Truck Operator License (or ability to obtain/maintain one).

• Physical Capabilities: Regularly required to stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and talk/hear. Frequently uses hands and fingers to handle or feel materials. Must be able to regularly lift and move up to 50 lbs.

• Vision: Close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• Environment: Active manufacturing plant. Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts, loud noise environments, wet/humid conditions, occasional airborne particles, fumes, or machinery vibration.