The Paper Bowl Machine Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation, monitoring, and basic maintenance of paper bowl equipment. This role ensures the production of high-quality paper bowls by maintaining equipment performance, enforcing quality standards, documenting production activity, and complying with all safety and regulatory requirements.
Essential Job Functions:
Operation
- Lead and operate all paper bowl machines to ensure safe, efficient, continuous production
- Perform machine setups, adjustments, and advanced troubleshooting to minimize downtime
- Monitor machine performance, product quality, and production targets across all machines
- Ensure machines are supplied by coordinating and delivering raw materials, paper rolls, and blanks
- Provide operational support or operate any machine as required to maintain continuous production
- Provide hands-on support to Assistant Operators during start-ups, jams, adjustments, and troubleshooting
- Assign and manage break schedules to maintain uninterrupted production
- Operate a forklift in accordance with company policies and safety procedures
Quality Control
- Inspect finished products to ensure quality standards and specifications are met
- Print and verify labels for all finished pallets from all machines
- Ensure scrap is removed, emptied, and transported to the trailer properly
- Accurately track scrap and enter data into SAP
Maintenance
- Coordinate preventive maintenance (PM) activities and communicate equipment issues to Maintenance and Supervisors
- Perform basic machine repairs
- Clean bottom oil filters
- Add and empty white mineral oil
- Adjust and repair tape machines
- Adjust feeding section fingers, belts, and sensors
- Communicate effectively with Maintenance to repair or replace broken parts
Support
- Support, coordinate, and assign Assistant Operators to each machine
- Train and coach Assistant Operators on safe work practices, quality standards, and machine operation
- Train new employees in machine operation and safety procedures
- Prepare and submit daily production reports to the Supervisor
Compliance/Other Tasks
- Verify Assistant Operators consistently comply with all company policies and procedures including GMP, PPE, HACCP, LOTO, and JSA regulations.
- Maintain accurate production, downtime, and scrap records in SAP and/or Excel.
- Use SAP to add materials to work orders using scanners and computer systems; confirm work orders and put-away transactions; check and update inventory accuracy; and schedule work orders while properly coding downtime.
- Enter and manage production data using Excel.
Education
High school diploma or GED preferred. Relevant work experience, skills, and knowledge are required.
Experience: 2+ year of experience multi-tasking in a fast-paced work environment, paper industry preferred. Previous experience operating paper bowl machinery preferred.
Other Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Proficiency in the use of hand tools and the ability to operate them effectively.
- Knowledge of machine operation and electronic and/or manual machine controls to operate the machine and run production.
- Able to read, understand and comprehend documents such as safety rules, internal quality procedures, and machine operating procedures.
- Able to communicate production issues to supervisors and others in work area.
- Basic mathematics (i.e. counting).
Working Environment
- Safety glasses with side shields, hearing protection, and steel-toed shoes are required. In addition, task specific PPE may be required.
- Our Manufacturing plant is not environmentally controlled. Changes in humidity and temperature occur throughout the year.
Physical Requirements:
- This position requires frequent use of hands and arms to grasp, position, and move products or materials. The role involves repetitive hand motions, coordinated use of both hands and arms, and reaching in multiple directions. Duties include prolonged periods of standing, as well as bending, stooping, and twisting. Movement throughout the work area is required on a regular basis.
- Occasional activities include ascending and descending stairs, pushing and pulling objects, lifting and positioning items weighing up to 50 pounds, and verbal communication.
- Vision requirements may include close and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Other
Work in accordance with all company policies and procedures regarding employment, safety, quality, product safety and legality, security, and regulatory compliance as applicable.
