What are the responsibilities and job description for the Production Decorator Technician position at Envases US Aluminum Division?
Brief Description
POSITION SUMMARY:
Our Waco, TX facility manufactures aluminum beverage cans commonly used for soft drinks, beers, energy drinks, teas and non-carbonated beverages. Using state of the art can-making technology, this high speed environment provides rewarding manufacturing opportunities.
The Production Technician for the Decorator Machine is responsible for the setup, operation, and quality control of the high-speed Lithography (Printing) Press that applies the multi-color graphics and protective varnish to the aluminum can bodies. This role is critical for ensuring that all printed cans meet stringent customer branding, color accuracy, and coating quality standards while maintaining high-volume production rates.
Essential Job Functions
MACHINE OPERATION AND PROCESS CONTROL
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Management maintains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Environmental & Physical Factors
The physical demands and work environment described below represent the activities and surroundings of the position(s). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Works primarily in a warehouse/manufacturing facility. Daily contact with other departmental personnel. Occasionally works in all weather conditions, extreme temperatures, around chemicals and chemical fumes/emissions, dusty & clean environments. Frequently works with electrical and mechanical hazards. When working with surplus and scrap materials, will frequently be required to work outside and/or in an unaired conditioned warehouse. Continuous use of vision, hearing and speech. Frequent sitting, standing, walking and occasional bending. Will lift, carry, pull / push, and reach for supplies and on occasion lifting (up to 50 lbs.) while performing various aspects of the job; Will need to climb stairs, climb ladders, lift and move objects, requires manual dexterity and repetitive use of keyboard/computer devices/power tools/machining equipment; Wear safety equipment, such as earplugs, goggles, and steel-toed shoes.
Hours / Special Conditions
12 hour rotating shifts 4 days on and 4 days off; Rotating shifts requires working night shifts; Present to fulfill job duties & meet operational demands/support; Schedule may vary depending on plant operational needs thus flexibility is required which may include long days, evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime; Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.
Envases Commerce, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Our Waco, TX facility manufactures aluminum beverage cans commonly used for soft drinks, beers, energy drinks, teas and non-carbonated beverages. Using state of the art can-making technology, this high speed environment provides rewarding manufacturing opportunities.
The Production Technician for the Decorator Machine is responsible for the setup, operation, and quality control of the high-speed Lithography (Printing) Press that applies the multi-color graphics and protective varnish to the aluminum can bodies. This role is critical for ensuring that all printed cans meet stringent customer branding, color accuracy, and coating quality standards while maintaining high-volume production rates.
Essential Job Functions
MACHINE OPERATION AND PROCESS CONTROL
- Machine Operation: Directly operate, monitor, and adjust the High-Speed Decorator Press (typically 6-8 colors), ensuring proper registration, blanket tension, and ink film thickness.
- Color Management: Monitor and maintain ink systems, ensuring correct color mixing, viscosity, and fountain solution balance to achieve accurate, consistent color matching as specified by customer proofs and quality standards.
- Varnish Application: Oversee the application of the protective Over-Varnish, ensuring proper thickness and curing to protect the graphics during subsequent manufacturing and filling steps.
- Machine Adjustments: Perform routine setup and minor adjustments, including changing printing plates, blankets, and transfer mechanisms.
- In-Process Quality Checks: Conduct frequent, detailed visual and print quality checks to identify defects such as color registration errors, smutting, scuffing, printing voids, or missing varnish.
- Color Accuracy: Use specialized equipment (e.g., densitometers or spectrophotometers) to measure color density and compare to established standards and proofs.
- Cure Testing: Perform testing on the decorative and varnish coatings to ensure proper curing in the drying ovens.
- Documentation: Accurately record production data, downtime, ink usage, color quality metrics, and shift activities on logs and digital systems.
- Troubleshooting: Quickly diagnose and rectify operational issues such as can jams, ink system malfunctions, or mechanical failures related to the decorating process to minimize downtime.
- Cleaning and PM: Perform routine cleaning, including washing ink trays, cleaning blankets, and executing scheduled preventative maintenance (PM) tasks on the press components.
- Collaboration: Assist Maintenance Technicians and Tooling personnel during major setups, rebuilds, and complex electrical or mechanical troubleshooting.
- Safety Procedures: Strictly adhere to all plant safety rules, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, machine guarding protocols, and safe handling of lubricants and chemicals.
- Work Area Organization: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment around the production lines and equipment.
- Continuous Improvement: Participate in team meetings and initiatives focused on improving safety, quality, and efficiency.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Preferred – A Technical degree or the equivalent experience, defined as greater than 4 years of experience in a technical manufacturing continuous improvement environment
- Required – High School Diploma or GED equivalent
- Preferred – 2-3 years of experience operating and maintaining high-speed industrial printing presses, preferably in a metal decorating or similar packaging environment.
- Printing Expertise: Proven understanding of four-color process printing (CMYK), color theory, and ink chemistry/viscosity control.
- Mechanical Aptitude: Strong ability to operate and troubleshoot complex, fast-moving machinery with a focus on precision and alignment.
- Precision Measurement: Experience using quality control tools, especially densitometers or spectrophotometers, to ensure color standards are met.
- Detail Orientation: Exceptional focus on detail is mandatory for detecting subtle visual and printing defects under high-speed conditions.
- Communication: Ability to clearly document and communicate quality issues and maintenance needs to the team.
- Must be able to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, in a 24/7 environment.
- Ability to work with employees from many different cultures and backgrounds
- Preference will be given to qualified local candidates
- General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, Outlook, Google Workspace, and web-site software
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Management maintains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Environmental & Physical Factors
The physical demands and work environment described below represent the activities and surroundings of the position(s). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Works primarily in a warehouse/manufacturing facility. Daily contact with other departmental personnel. Occasionally works in all weather conditions, extreme temperatures, around chemicals and chemical fumes/emissions, dusty & clean environments. Frequently works with electrical and mechanical hazards. When working with surplus and scrap materials, will frequently be required to work outside and/or in an unaired conditioned warehouse. Continuous use of vision, hearing and speech. Frequent sitting, standing, walking and occasional bending. Will lift, carry, pull / push, and reach for supplies and on occasion lifting (up to 50 lbs.) while performing various aspects of the job; Will need to climb stairs, climb ladders, lift and move objects, requires manual dexterity and repetitive use of keyboard/computer devices/power tools/machining equipment; Wear safety equipment, such as earplugs, goggles, and steel-toed shoes.
Hours / Special Conditions
12 hour rotating shifts 4 days on and 4 days off; Rotating shifts requires working night shifts; Present to fulfill job duties & meet operational demands/support; Schedule may vary depending on plant operational needs thus flexibility is required which may include long days, evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime; Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.
Envases Commerce, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.