Bindery Stitch Operator

Education Requirements

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret work orders, job specifications, and production instructions.
• Basic math skills required, including measuring, calculating distances, clearances, and machine setups.

Experience Requirements

• Previous experience operating bindery, printing, finishing, or production equipment required.
• Experience setting up and operating cutters, folders, collators, stitchers, drills, binders, gluing equipment, or related finishing machinery.
• Ability to perform machine adjustments, troubleshooting, and quality inspections throughout production runs.
• Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing or print production environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of automated bindery and finishing systems, including perfect binders, folding equipment, gatherers, and collators.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain quality standards while meeting production goals.
• Leadership skills with the ability to direct and support production team members.
• Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.

Physical Capabilities

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the production area for extended periods.
• Frequently lift, carry, and handle printed materials and production supplies.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to safely work around moving machinery and production equipment.

Job Duties

• Set up, adjust, and operate bindery and finishing equipment, including cutters, folders, collators, stitchers, drills, gluing machines, and mailing devices.
• Operate automated bindery systems that convert printed sheets into finished books, catalogs, manuals, magazines, and other printed products.
• Inspect machinery and equipment to ensure safe operation and production readiness.
• Make machine adjustments to maintain alignment, accuracy, quality, and productivity.
• Operate perfect binding equipment and oversee processes such as milling, roughening, gluing, covering, and stacking finished products.
• Monitor production output, quality standards, and workflow performance.
• Lead and coordinate production crews to ensure efficient operations and on-time completion of work orders.
• Use specialized tools to maintain machine performance and support preventive maintenance activities.

The base pay range listed reflects what we reasonably expect to offer for this role. Actual pay may vary based on location, experience, and performance. Depending on the position, benefits may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement and savings plans; paid holidays and time off; supplemental insurance; and additional wellness or incentive programs.