Production Trainer

About the role

• Position: Production Trainer
• Location: Morristown, TN
• Hours: Varies - must be flexible to work any shift as needed
• Pay Rate: $36.23-$42.36/hour

Summary Description

The Production Trainer is an experienced press professional responsible for developing and strengthening operator capabilities across the Press department while supporting safe, efficient production of high-quality printed materials.

Reporting to the Process Leader, this position provides hands-on training for P3, P2, P1, and Setup Technicians, demonstrates best practices for press operation and troubleshooting, and helps establish consistent standards for safety, quality, productivity, startup, and waste performance. The Production Trainer also provides backup leadership support and participates in continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Work safely at all times while following all plant and division safety rules, policies, procedures, and required PPE.
• Train and develop employees in P3, P2, P1, and Setup Technician positions as needed.
• Demonstrate best practices and techniques for safely and efficiently setting up, operating, and troubleshooting press equipment.
• Lead and provide direction to Press Operators and support departments assigned to the press.
• Set the standard for product quality and ensure finished products meet customer requirements.
• Set up and run press jobs, establish registration, and achieve required color specifications.
• Troubleshoot print defects and coach operators on identifying and resolving production issues.
• Adjust compensating idlers and cylinder carriages to properly level copy.
• Set up cohesive printing units and pumping stations.
• Change the direction of the unwind splicing group.
• Set burners and heat levels according to ink or coating coverage requirements.
• Use air gap and doctor blade angle adjustments to control haze.
• Adjust heat and tension settings to resolve repeat and slack issues.
• Set up Grafikontrol according to job specifications.
• Set and operate web guides.
• Change impression roll sleeves and web the press with or without the treater.
• Perform automatic changeovers and manual registration.
• Set, adjust, and level nips and impression rollers.
• Set automatic viscosity controls and program ink specifications.
• Charge, reject, and properly flag rolls.
• Perform daily flow checks of the Mahr Meter Mix system.
• Establish departmental priorities based on production schedules, job requirements, staffing levels, and break coverage.
• Communicate equipment issues with Maintenance and coordinate with Technical, Management, and customers as needed.
• Provide backup support to Press Leaders as required.
• Work collaboratively with other trainers and switch shifts when needed to support employee development across the operation.
• Submit continuous improvement projects to the FI team, including Just Do It, DMAIC, and PDCA initiatives.
• Participate as a member of FI or CSD in addition to applicable SPS teams.
• Operate a forklift as required.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
• Support total quality and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work overtime and provide coverage for absences as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

We'd Love to Hear From You If

• You have demonstrated proficiency in Press I, Press II, Press III, and Setup classifications.
• For the P3 Trainer designation, you currently hold a P3 Tech III Level II position, have held that position for a minimum of 5 years, and are meeting established KPI expectations for planned production, startup waste, and run waste.
• You have advanced knowledge of press setup, operation, registration, color control, web handling, ink systems, and print-quality troubleshooting.
• You have the ability to train, coach, motivate, and provide technical direction to Press Operators and support personnel.
• You can effectively troubleshoot print defects and communicate equipment concerns to Maintenance and Technical teams.
• You can establish production priorities and coordinate work based on schedules, staffing, and operational needs.
• You have strong communication skills and can work effectively with employees, leadership, technical teams, and customers.
• You demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, quality, continuous improvement, and employee development.
• You are willing to participate in FI, CSD, SPS, and other continuous improvement activities.
• You can operate a forklift as required.
• You are flexible and available to work any shift, switch shifts when needed, and work overtime to support training and production requirements.

Production Trainer Performance Expectations

Production Trainer performance will be evaluated using a rolling three-month average of established production and waste KPIs, including:

• Planned Production: Greater than 90% across all three presses on the existing shift.
• Startup Waste: Less than 100% of the established startup waste goal across all three presses on the existing shift.
• Run Waste: Fewer than two occurrences exceeding 10,000 feet per press across all three presses on the existing shift.

Benefits

At TOPPAN Packaging Americas, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support overall wellbeing. Benefits may vary based on location, employment classification, or collective bargaining agreement and may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing resources
• Paid time off and holidays
• Company-paid and voluntary insurance plans including life, accident, and disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement