Lead Litho Press Operator

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, E, 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