Lead Litho Press Operator

Job Description The Lead Litho Press Operator provides hands-on leadership for daily operations and maintenance in the Litho Press department. This role sets the pace for safety, quality, and throughput—coordinating crew assignments, ensuring efficient make-ready and color control, resolving press issues, and supporting continuous improvement.

This position partners closely with Scheduling, Prepress, Bindery, and Quality teams to meet customer specifications, delivery commitments, and plant performance goals.

Responsibilities

Lead start-of-shift huddles covering safety, priorities, quality focus, and crew assignments

Coordinate crew assignments across Heidelberg presses based on workload and skillsets

Troubleshoot press issues including registration, color, sheet handling, marking, scumming, streaking, and roller settings

Manage shift handoffs and ensure accurate documentation in job travelers and press logs

Oversee efficient make-ready processes including plate mounting, blanket/cylinder checks, ink/water balance, and changeovers

Verify imposition, plates, substrates, and ink sets prior to production; escalate issues as needed

Maintain color standards (density, ΔE, gray balance, G7 where applicable) and document results

Ensure proper documentation and traceability including lot tracking, line clearance, and label control

Enforce and support preventative maintenance (PMs) such as roller care, blankets, filters, and lubrication

Confirm readiness of tooling and consumables (plates, blankets, fountain solution, press chemistry, etc.)

Support root cause analysis for downtime, defects, and recurring issues

Operate offset presses as needed

Enforce all safety procedures including LOTO, machine guarding, and chemical handling

Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in offset lithography, preferably with Heidelberg sheetfed presses (e.g., Speedmaster) or similar

Strong expertise in make-ready, color management, and troubleshooting multi-color presses (aqueous/UV coating experience is a plus)

Solid understanding of substrates, ink/water balance, coatings, and pressroom chemistry

Ability to read and interpret job tickets, proofs, color standards, and prepress documentation

Proven leadership experience as a lead operator or senior pressman

Basic computer skills and familiarity with press consoles and quality systems

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks including standing, walking, and material handling

Comfortable working in a production environment with noise, chemicals, and required PPE

Willingness to work assigned shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed