Lead Press Operator

Lead Press Operator – Goss Community Press

Department: Web Press / Coldset
Reports To: Production Plant Manager / Operations Manager
Classification: Full-Time, Hourly
Level: Lead Operator / Senior Press Operator

Position Summary

The Lead Goss Community Press Operator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of the Goss Community coldset web press and SSC folder. This position serves as the lead operator for the press crew and is accountable for press setup, production, print quality, registration, folder performance, waste control, troubleshooting, and completion of scheduled work.

The Lead Operator is expected to take ownership of the press during the assigned shift, direct and train other pressroom employees, communicate production issues promptly, and continuously work to improve productivity, quality, safety, and equipment reliability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Press Operation & Setup

• Lead setup and operation of the Goss Community coldset web press and SSC folder.

• Review job tickets, production specifications, press layouts, pagination, paper requirements, ink requirements, and finishing instructions before production.

• Set up press units, web leads, ink systems, registration, folder, cutoff, slitter, former, and delivery systems as required.

• Perform press make-ready efficiently and prepare the press for production according to job specifications.

• Establish proper ink/water balance and maintain consistent density and print quality throughout the run.

• Maintain proper web tension and registration throughout production.

• Set and monitor cutoff, fold, perforation, slitting, and delivery requirements.

• Perform roll changes and web-ups safely and efficiently.

• Verify correct page sequence, orientation, signatures, and pagination before releasing the job for full production.

Quality Control

The Lead Operator is the primary quality-control person for the press during production.

Responsibilities include:

• Approve startup copies before increasing to production speed.

• Monitor color, registration, cutoff, fold, page position, ink density, scumming, toning, doubling, slur, and other print defects.

• Compare production copies against approved proofs or customer specifications.

• Pull and inspect samples throughout the run.

• Stop or slow the press when product quality falls outside acceptable standards.

• Identify the cause of quality problems and make appropriate corrections.

• Document significant quality issues and corrective actions.

• Prevent knowingly defective product from proceeding to finishing, mailing, or shipping.

Productivity & Waste Control

• Operate the press at the highest practical production speed while maintaining quality and safety.

• Minimize make-ready time, startup waste, running waste, roll-change waste, and unnecessary downtime.

• Monitor paper consumption against estimated and expected usage.

• Accurately document spoilage and the reasons for excessive waste.

• Identify recurring causes of waste and recommend corrective actions.

• Work toward company production and waste standards.

• Accurately report press time, setup time, run time, downtime, quantities, waste, and materials used.

Crew Leadership

The Lead Operator is responsible for directing the press crew during the shift.

• Assign work to press operators, helpers, and roll tenders.

• Clearly communicate job requirements and production expectations.

• Coordinate crew activities during make-ready, web-up, roll changes, production, cleanup, and maintenance.

• Maintain an organized and professional pressroom.

• Train developing operators in proper press operation and procedures.

• Provide constructive coaching when procedures or quality standards are not being followed.

• Help employees develop toward higher operator skill levels.

• Lead by example in attendance, safety, quality, productivity, communication, and teamwork.

• Immediately communicate significant employee, equipment, safety, quality, or production concerns to management.

Troubleshooting

Must be capable of independently diagnosing common press and folder problems, including:

• Web tension problems

• Web breaks

• Registration problems

• Ink/water balance

• Color variation

• Toning and scumming

• Doubling or slurring

• Roller and blanket issues

• Cutoff problems

• Fold problems

• Wrinkles

• Paper tracking problems

• Folder jams

• Delivery problems

• Basic mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and control-related press issues

The Lead Operator is expected to determine whether an issue can safely be corrected by the press crew or requires maintenance support.

Maintenance & Equipment Care

• Perform…