Press-1st Operator

We produce everything from the paper cup that may have held your coffee this morning, to the carton that contained your frozen meal last night, to the basket that held your beer or soda bottles last weekend. As one of the world’s largest global producer of fiber-based consumer packaging, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful. Is this something you’d like to be a part of? We’d love to hear from you. A World of Difference. Made Possible. Position Title: Press – 1st Operator Reports to: Printing Manager Location: Elk Grove Village, IL Date: May 2025 OPPORTUNITY: We are a Food service folding carton manufacturing operation. We are seeking candidates to join our Elk Grove Village, IL team. We’re recruiting for multiple positions so be sure you review all job postings. This job posting is for a Press – 1st Operator with a pay range of $38.33 to $43.55/hour plus shift differential and progressive pay increases. We continually encourage our employees to advance their careers through on the job training and job progression through our strong promotion from within program. We offer a wide array of benefits including, but not limited to, Paid Vacation & Holidays, optional Health, Dental, and Life Insurance, including health spending accounts and a progressive healthy lifestyle program, as well as 401-K with a company matching component and standard supplemental company contributions. Employees may voluntarily elect Pet Insurance, Home & Auto Insurance Programs, Purchasing Power, Tuition Reimbursement, Aflac, LifeLock Identity Protection, and Hyatt Legal Services. Tobacco Cessation and Employee Assistance/Referral Program, Uniform Service, Safety Shoe, and Safety Prescription-Eyewear benefits are also available. Please review all job postings and apply for each position you feel you’re qualified and would like to be considered for. JOB SUMMARY: The person who occupies this position is responsible for running printing presses as efficiently and safely as possible. Pressman is also responsible for overall quality of sheets printed. Operators understand and align business operations and Finishing Department as he/she executes their role to exceed customer expectations and align with GPI business, cultural, financial and operational objectives. JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Responsible for overall quality of printed sheets. Pressman selects random sheets from each load and checks that they have appropriate color, register, type and are void of unnecessary markings.
• When problems are encountered, pressman is to determine cause and adjust press to correct error.
• Pressman responsible for removing full pallets from press with hand truck and placing a new pallet on press.
• Must maintain written records of production and quality. Records include production time, amount produced, time wasted on corrections and waiting for materials and number of defective materials. Records of color quality are also recorded and graphed.
• Responsible for performing duties of second pressman or feeder when needed in order to keep press running.
• Responsible for press make-ready (adjust press to accommodate for new printing job to be done). (Refer to manual on quick change over procedure).
• Must assist second pressman and feeder with monthly cleaning of press. Press is thoroughly cleaned, oiled and greased. Rollers are changed if necessary

BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE / SKILLS:

• Manufacturing experience preferred
• Mechanical/technical aptitude
• Entry Level Computer skills
• Must be able to speak, read and write English. Must have basic math skills. Mechanical aptitude is preferred. Needs working knowledge of printing press.
• Must have Feeder/Operator and Second Pressman experience.

SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:

• Schedules are up to 8 or 12-hour shifts on alternate days with rotating weekends off. However, employees must have the ability to work alternate schedules and overtime that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
• Some Departments/Jobs may run a M-F 8-hour Shift Schedule.
• Must be willing and able to work overtime.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sitting or standing, depending on changing job assignment, for extended periods.
• Awkward and/or repetitive movements.
• Physical and visual activities that are commonly associated* with the performance of the functions of this job:
• Standing, walking, lifting (up to 40 lbs. without assistance and up to 100 lbs. with assistance), carrying (same as lifting), pushing (empty pallets onto press), pulling (loaded pallets from press delivery), stooping, bending, reaching, handling (pulling samples from press (talking and hearing (communicating with other press members), visual acuity (far and near), color vision.
• Physical demands commonly associated* with the performance of the functions of this job:
• Function 3 requires ability to pull full pallet weighing between 1500 and 2000 pounds with hand truck.
• Function 3 also requires ability to lift empty pallets (weighing 25-40 pounds) from stack of pallets (typ.5 ft. high) and placing at end of press.
• Pressman’s vision must be acute at distances of up to 40 ft. in order to communicate with feeder and second pressman.
• Pressman’s vision must be acute at short distances (20 inches or less) in order to inspect for quality of printing sheets. Color vision is required to detect variances in color of product.
• Function 7 requires lifting of rollers weighing up to 100 lbs. Lifting is to be assisted by pressman or feeder when needed.
• Press make ready duties requires physical ability to lift and carry ink buckets (up to 35 pounds). Buckets are carried upstairs (3 ft.) and lifted approximately4 ft. high.
• Reading computer screen or other electronic devices.

* Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software:

• Printing press, CPC (Color Printer Control) (for Heidelberg presses), various wrenches and other related tools.
• Inside Conditions (climate controlled in printing area), noise (from printing presses), vibration, odors, dust.

GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, sex, age, religion, natural origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap, or disability, marital status, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law.