Job Title: Rotary Die Cutter- 1st Assistant Operator
Department: Converting
Reports to: Converting Supervisor
Location: Converting Floor
Position Summary: The 1st Assistant Operator on the Rotary Die Cutter (RDC) supports the Operator in machine setup, die changeover, quality inspection, and outfeed management. Unlike the FFG, the RDC operates with a two-person crew in most configurations, making the 1st Assistant a more active participant in the full production cycle from the start. This role requires mechanical awareness, dimensional quality competency, and the ability to work efficiently under production speed with limited direct instruction. The 1st Assistant is expected to be developing toward full Operator capability.
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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Assist the Operator with die changeover: remove outgoing die, clean anvil and cutting cylinder, mount incoming rotary die, and verify die registration and anvil clearance per job specifications.
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Set up and verify the stripping section: configure stripping fingers, hold-down shoes, and waste removal chutes for the incoming blank geometry.
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Manage the outfeed and stacking section: set stacker, shingling, and bundle ejection parameters; verify bundle integrity and count accuracy against the job ticket.
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Perform first-article dimensional checks at job startup: measure cut dimensions, verify die cut clarity and nick placement, check score depth and crease quality, and confirm blank squareness.
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Conduct in-process quality pulls at defined intervals; document results on the job quality log and immediately alert the Operator to any out-of-tolerance condition.
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Monitor stripping performance throughout the run: identify and communicate strip failures, waste hang-ups, or skeleton jams before they cause downtime or damage.
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Feed sheets into the infeed section as needed, maintaining registration and sheet flow consistent with machine speed.
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Assist with print registration verification on RDCs equipped with print stations; alert Operator to registration drift between quality checks.
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Log all downtime events during the run with reason code, duration, and corrective action; do not leave events uncoded at shift end.
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Maintain a clean stripping section and outfeed area throughout the shift; clear skeleton waste and trim accumulation continuously.
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Operate the machine independently for short durations at Supervisor authorization and within demonstrated competency.
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Participate in end-of-shift cleanup, die storage, and machine housekeeping routines.
RDC – Specific Technical Knowledge- Development Targets
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Understand rotary die construction: cutting rules, creasing channels, nicks, and how die condition affects cut quality and blank integrity.
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Identify signs of die wear: dull cutting rules, crushed creasing channels, excessive nicking, and how each manifests in the finished blank.
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Understand anvil cover condition and rotation schedule; recognize when anvil wear is affecting cut quality.
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Know the relationship between die height, anvil clearance, and cutting pressure — and what happens when that relationship is out of tolerance.
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Understand how stripping geometry is configured for different blank styles and why strip failures occur on complex die layouts.
Qualifications and Skills /Education and Experience
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Minimum 6–12 months of experience in a converting role (RDC, FFG, or die cutting operations); direct RDC experience strongly preferred.
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Ability to read a job ticket and translate die layout, blank size, score placement, and bundle count into machine setup parameters.
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Familiarity with corrugated quality standards: cut sharpness, nicking tolerance, score depth, blank squareness, and acceptable dimensional variance.
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Mechanical aptitude: comfortable working around rotating equipment, tooling, and mechanical adjustments under Operator direction.
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Physical ability to handle rotary dies, which may weigh 50–150 lbs. depending on size; team lift protocols required for large dies.
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Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
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Bilingual in Mandarin a plus.
Physical Requirements
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Frequent lifting, carrying, and positioning of rotary dies — team lift required above 50 lbs.
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Standing and working at machine height for full shift duration (8–12 hours).
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Repetitive bending, reaching, and manual stacking at outfeed throughout the shift.
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Required PPE: steel-toed boots, safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves when handling dies, hearing protection in designated areas.
What Success Looks Like-First 90 days
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Executes a full die changeover alongside the Operator, completing die mount, stripping setup, and outfeed configuration within the established changeover target.
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Correctly identifies and flags a dimensional out-of-tolerance condition during a first-article check before any product is released to the outfeed.
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Accurately identifies die wear indicators on at least two separate jobs and communicates findings to the Operator and Supervisor.
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Logs downtime events accurately and completely on every shift worked.
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Demonstrates clean, consistent outfeed management — no missed bundles, correct stacking, accurate counts — across multiple job types.
Advancement Path
1st Assistant RDC Operator. Advancement requires demonstrated ability to set up a job independently from job ticket to first-article approval, manage in-process quality without direction, and lead a crew in the Operator role. Supervisor sign-off and documented competency verification required.
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.
