Job Title: Flexo Folder Gluer- Operator
Department: Converting
Reports to: Converting Supervisor
Location: Converting Floor
Position Summary: The Flexo Folder Gluer Operator is the senior production crew member on the FFG line and bears full accountability for machine setup, production quality, crew safety, and efficient job execution. The Operator owns the run from job receipt through first-article approval, manages in-process quality and adjustments, and leads the 1st and 2nd Assistant in all phases of the shift. This role requires deep machine knowledge, independent problem-solving under production pressure, and a quality-first operating standard.
Compensation
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At ND Paper, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
About Us
ND Paper is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pulp, paper, and packaging products in the United States, generating over half a billion dollars in annual sales. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited – the largest containerboard producer in the world – ND Paper is part of a global network committed to excellence and innovation. With two integrated pulp and paper mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin, a packaging plant in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and two sheeting facilities in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and Fairmont, West Virginia, the ND Paper family produces nearly one million tons of products annually. Our 1,100 dedicated employees are the heart of our operations, and we are committed to fostering positive work environments where individuals can advance and thrive. At ND Paper, we are investing in our future, and that starts with our staff.
Key Responsibilities & Expected Results:
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Demonstrate safety as a core value and establish a safe work environment by actively leading the safe execution of work.
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Own end-to-end setup of the FFG for each job: mount plates and dies, set anilox and impression, configure fold section, set glue bead and temperature, and verify infeed registration — all to spec before first sheet runs.
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Perform and sign off on the first-article quality check at job startup; do not release a job to production until the first article meets dimensional, print, fold, score, and glue standards.
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Make all in-process adjustments to maintain quality: print registration, impression pressure, score depth, fold alignment, glue placement, and machine speed — without waiting for a Supervisor to direct.
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Lead the crew: assign tasks to 1st and 2nd Assistants, set the quality sampling cadence, and maintain crew accountability for safety and housekeeping throughout the shift.
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Monitor and document all downtime events in real time: reason code, duration, corrective action taken, and whether maintenance involvement is needed. Do not leave a downtime event uncoded at shift end.
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Optimize machine speed and waste rate within job parameters; identify and communicate jobs where run conditions (board quality, print complexity, die configuration) require speed adjustment to maintain quality.
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Manage ink systems: mix colors to specification, control viscosity throughout the run, clean ink stations at job end, and document ink usage.
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Conduct shift handoff with the oncoming Operator: communicate job status, any open quality concerns, machine issues flagged for maintenance, and crew-related notes.
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Identify and escalate maintenance needs proactively — do not run through a mechanical issue that will worsen. Log the concern and communicate to the Supervisor and Maintenance.
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Maintain accurate production records: pieces produced, waste, downtime, job completion status, and any deviations from the job ticket.
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Coach the 1st Assistant toward Operator competency: involve them in setup decisions, explain adjustments as you make them, and provide direct feedback on quality misses.
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Enforce all safety standards on the crew — PPE compliance, LOTO adherence, safe material handling. The Operator is accountable for crew safety behavior, not just their own.
Qualifications and Skills /Education and Experience
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Minimum 2–3 years of experience as a 1st Assistant or Operator on a flexo folder gluer in a corrugated plant.
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Demonstrated ability to set up and run a multi-color FFG job independently from job ticket to first-article approval.
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Strong working knowledge of: plate mounting and registration, anilox selection and impression setting, scoring and folding mechanics, glue system setup and troubleshooting, and counter-ejector/outfeed configuration.
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Ability to read and interpret job tickets, die layouts, print specifications, and board grade requirements.
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Mechanical aptitude: able to identify abnormal machine behavior, diagnose likely causes, and perform minor mechanical corrections within operator authority.
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Working knowledge of corrugated quality standards and defect identification: print defects, score breaks, open scores, glue voids, dimensional variance, and warp.
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Demonstrated ability to lead a small crew with clear communication, steady composure under pressure, and consistent safety enforcement.
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Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
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Bilingual in Mandarin a plus
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LOTO certified; able to train crew members on LOTO for this machine.
Physical Requirements
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Frequent lifting of plates, dies, anilox rolls, ink containers, and corrugated material — up to 70 lbs.; team lift required above 50 lbs.
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Standing, walking, and working at machine height for full shift duration (8–12 hours).
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Regular exposure to ink, adhesive, and cleaning solvents; proper PPE required.
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Required PPE: steel-toed boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, chemical-resistant gloves when handling inks/solvents.
What Success Looks Like-Ongoing
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Every job passes first-article without Supervisor involvement — the Operator catches and corrects setup issues before the first-article is presented.
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Downtime is logged with accurate reason codes and corrective actions on every event, every shift. No blank or vague entries.
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Changeover time is within established benchmarks for the job type; the Operator knows where time is being lost and works to reduce it.
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The 1st Assistant is visibly developing — the Operator is actively teaching, not just directing.
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Quality escapes (defective product reaching the outfeed without being caught) trend toward zero over time.
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Machine is handed off clean, documented, and with all open issues communicated — the oncoming crew does not discover problems the outgoing Operator knew about.
Authority & Decision Boundaries
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The Operator has authority to stop a job that is producing out-of-spec product without Supervisor approval. Quality holds are within operator authority.
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The Operator does not authorize scrap disposition, customer shipment holds, or overtime — those escalate to the Supervisor.
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Machine speed adjustments within job parameters are at Operator discretion. Exceeding rated machine speed requires Supervisor approval.
Advancement Path
Experienced Operators may advance to Lead Operator, Utility Operator (multi-machine), or Converting Supervisor based on demonstrated leadership, cross-machine capability, and interest in supervisory responsibility. Advancement requires Supervisor recommendation and documented competency across job types.
Working Conditions
Plant Site
Attributes for Success
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Hard work – tackle each task with determination, passion and creativity; the willingness to put in whatever effort is required to successfully complete the job at hand.
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Pursuit of Excellence – strive to consistently exceed expectations in our day-to-day work and outperform our competitors in the marketplace, regarding work and company achievements as a collaborative goal with the desire to go above and beyond.
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Integrity - treat the company and teammates with upmost respect, operating on strong moral codes to drive company values and culture.
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Sense of Urgency – drive forward each day with speed, agility, and flexibility to capture unrealized opportunities and avoid potential risks for the business.
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Entrepreneurial Spirit – act like an owner, challenging the status quo, asking the right questions, and actively seeking ways to innovate and improve.
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Adaptability – be fluid with ND Paper’s continuous evolution while driving change in a fast-paced environment, equipped with the ability to acclimate quickly.
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Servant Leadership – set an example by implementing meaningful leadership with heart, empathy, foresight and stewardship.
ND Packaging Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
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Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness for you and your family.
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Financial protection benefits, including life insurance, disability insurance, and business travel accident insurance.
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Tax advantaged accounts such as Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
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Paid holidays, personal days, and vacation days to support work-life balance.
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A 401K retirement plan with a company match and annual fixed contribution
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Wellness programs with incentives and an on-site clinic available at our Rumford and Biron location.
Enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and paid time off. Discover more about our benefits and how we support our team by 2026 Benefits . Come be a part of our team and grow with us!
Apply
Please submit your resume, and salary requirements to https://us.ndpaper.com/careers
No unsolicited resumes - ND Packaging does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume you submit to us will immediately become the property of ND Packaging. If you would like to become a recruiter for ND Packaging, please contact us and we will agree in writing to terms and the specific job roles for which you are authorized to recruit.
