My client situated in Wigan are looking for 4 Printer Assistants to add to their existing Manufacturing team. 

Main responsibilties - Printer Assistant 

You will be responsible for supporting the Lead Printer with operating a flexographic print machine whilst ensuring your print operations are conducted in a safe and controlled manner in line with the required standards and operating procedures.  You will work with the Printer to maximize press uptime in line with KPI’s, taking account of running speeds and opportunities to achieve operational efficiencies.

Specific Tasks/Accountabilities - Printer Assistant 

• Help set up and operate print machinery to optimmum levels in a safe working manner, ensuring that the machinery and surrounding area are maintained in line with required health, safety, environmental, hygiene and housekeeping standards.  Ensure that all spills are logged and cleaned immediately.  Operate in line with site health and safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Work in line with site standards for BRC, ISO & A2 environmental.
• Operate processes in line with lean manufacturing techniques including SMED and the 5S principles.  When required, participate in continuous improvement initiatives within Production.
• Maintain press consumables to ensure a continuous supply including loading/offloading of master reels and loading/offloading of inks on the print press.
• Manage and operate the press in the absence of the Lead Printer, including rest breaks.
• Spot and report any non-conformities to the Lead Printer or Shift Manager and support resolution as required.
• Support the training of colleagues as and when required.
• When required, contribute to shift handovers to ensure a smooth transition and continuous production.  As a matter of routine, ensure the press is in an appropriate operational condition and in the absence of the Lead Printer, make sure that the next shift has been briefed on where production is up to and any other relevant production issues.
• Assist with general cleaning and maintenance of print equipment.
• Work with colleagues in other areas e.g. Ink Technicians, Mounters etc. to maintain production standards.
• Display flexibility to support other areas of Production as and when required, including operating other machinery such as Conversion/Slitting machinery.

Skills, Qualification & Attributes - Printer Assistant 

• Part or fully trained Printer, preferably with flexographic experience
• Relevant Print NVQ Level 2 or 3 an advantage
• Additional qualifications e.g. fire safety, first aid etc. an advantage but not essential
• Good level of literacy and numeracy, preferably GCSE level in English and Maths
• Previous print experience, preferably flexographic with experience of solvent based inks
• Experience of Fischer Krecke 126S, 20SIX CS colour printers or BOBST printers an advantage
• Background in manufacturing, either label or packaging printing
• Exposure to Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement techniques an advantage

Print roles operate across one of the following shift patterns:

Either a 4 week Continental shift pattern:

Week 1 – 4 nights, 3 off

Week 2 – 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights

Week 3 – 3 off, 4 days

Week 4 – 7 off

Or for Printers operating the FK2 machine, they will work a 12 hour shift pattern, spread over a rotating 2 week cycle.  This will typically be:

Week 1 = 4 day shifts followed by 3 off

Week 2 = 3 night shifts followed by 4 off

Shift patterns can be subject to change, dependant on business requirements.

A reasonable level of fitness is required as the role involves some physical activity e.g. lifting & bending.