The Opportunity
Join our Chattanooga manufacturing team as a Senior Offset Press Operator, where you will play a key role in producing high-quality printed products while keeping press operations safe, efficient, and on schedule. This is an opportunity for an experienced offset printing professional who enjoys troubleshooting equipment, maintaining high print-quality standards, and helping develop other press team members. You will take ownership of press performance and work closely with the production team to deliver consistent results. The position is primarily first shift but requires flexibility to support other shifts when needed.
How You Will Make an Impact
- Operate and maintain offset printing press equipment to support safe, efficient production and timely completion of customer orders.
- Monitor the printing process and evaluate print quality, making continuous adjustments and escalating quality concerns when necessary.
- Troubleshoot mechanical, production, and print-quality issues to minimize interruptions and maintain press performance.
- Manage press computer systems, including production data entry and the storage and retrieval of jobs.
- Maintain the press in strong operating condition while supporting proper equipment care, housekeeping, and overall work-area cleanliness.
- Lead and support press personnel assigned to the operation, helping coordinate workload and maintain productivity.
- Train team members on press operations, production processes, safety expectations, and proper operating practices.
- Follow all company safety policies and operating procedures while maintaining a safe and efficient work environment.
What You Need to Succeed
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum of 5 years of offset printing experience as a first pressperson, second pressperson, lead press operator, or equivalent offset printing position.
- Experience operating, monitoring, and adjusting offset printing press equipment in a production environment.
- Ability to troubleshoot press and production issues and make timely adjustments to maintain product quality.
- Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to use press-related computer systems and accurately enter, store, and retrieve production information.
- Ability to distinguish colors and successfully complete the required color-vision assessment.
- Ability to work overtime and flexibility to work 2nd or 3rd shift when business needs require.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in paper, packaging, folding carton, commercial printing, or related print manufacturing.
- Experience training, coaching, or providing day-to-day direction to press operators or production team members.
- Strong working knowledge of offset printing quality standards, press adjustments, preventive equipment care, and production troubleshooting.
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity, and respect, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.
