What does a paper machine operator do?
Paper machine operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real paper machine operator resumes:
- Train as a 1st responder.
- Set up and operate Flexo printing machine using inline folding-gluing process.
- Operate cranes and hoists to move reels of paper and machine rolls.
- Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
- Monitor finish cartons as they drop from forming machines into rotating hoppers and into gravity feed chutes to prevent jamming.
- Operate hoists to lift paper from one machine to the other.
- Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
Paper machine operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Paper Machine Operators are proficient in DCS, Production Problems, and Safety Procedures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Coordination, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Paper Machine Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DCS, 17%
Performed daily shift safety observations DCS Operation Wet End: optimize flow loops, chemical additions and overall machine efficiency.
- Production Problems, 14%
Adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
- Safety Procedures, 14%
Lock Out/Tag Out, and all safety procedures.
- Detect Defects, 10%
Examined completed work to detect defects.
- Machine Components, 9%
Adjust machine components and machine tension and pressure control according to size or processing angle of product.
- RAN, 8%
Worked on a paper mill and also ran a machine making paper trays.
"dcs," "production problems," and "safety procedures" are among the most common skills that paper machine operators use at work. You can find even more paper machine operator responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a paper machine operator to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Paper machine operators often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "entered customer information into computer system monitored all of the communications within a specific geographic area. "
Coordination. Many paper machine operator duties rely on coordination. "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely," so a paper machine operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways paper machine operator responsibilities rely on coordination: "meet productivity goals & quality standards- communicate in english, both verbal and written- good hand-eye coordination- attention to detail"
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for paper machine operators to perform their duties. For an example of how paper machine operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a paper machine operator: "paper machine mechanical, hydraulic inspection, trouble shooting on wet end and dry end and shipping operations. ".
Visual ability. A big part of what paper machine operators do relies on "visual ability." You can see how essential it is to paper machine operator responsibilities because "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical paper machine operator tasks: "purchased and maintained required inventory operated different machinery for molding and extrusion visually inspected incoming and outgoing shipments"
The three companies that hire the most paper machine operators are:
- Morgan Advanced Materials And Technology Inc3 paper machine operators jobs
- Aerotek2 paper machine operators jobs
- ASPEN PRODUCTS
2 paper machine operators jobs
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Compare different paper machine operators
Paper machine operator vs. Job setter
Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them. They are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of the machine, and they should be able to troubleshoot problems and provide remedies to them. They must be knowledgeable about the different parts of the machine and how to mitigate any challenges that may arise. Operators should be alert, detail-oriented, and familiar with safety and health guidelines.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a paper machine operator are more likely to require skills like "dcs," "production problems," "machine components," and "bobcat." On the other hand, a job as a job setter requires skills like "assembly line," "machine repair," "cnc machines," and "quality checks." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that job setters earn slightly differ from paper machine operators. In particular, job setters are 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a paper machine operator. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Paper machine operator vs. Corrugator
Each career also uses different skills, according to real paper machine operator resumes. While paper machine operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "dcs," "production problems," "safety procedures," and "detect defects," corrugators use skills like "safety rules," "stackers," "warehouse inventory," and "assembly line."
In general, corrugators achieve similar levels of education than paper machine operators. They're 1.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Paper machine operator vs. Machine adjuster
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, paper machine operators are more likely to have skills like "dcs," "production problems," "safety procedures," and "detect defects." But a machine adjuster is more likely to have skills like "mechanical troubleshooting," "preventative maintenance," "safety rules," and "dexterity."
Machine adjusters typically earn similar educational levels compared to paper machine operators. Specifically, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Paper machine operator vs. Operator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between paper machine operators and operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a paper machine operator might have more use for skills like "dcs," "production problems," "detect defects," and "machine components." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of operators require skills like "cdl," "emergency calls," "preventative maintenance," and "quality checks. "
In general, operators earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $41,321. The highest-paying industry for a paper machine operator is the finance industry.In general, operators hold similar degree levels compared to paper machine operators. Operators are 1.1% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of paper machine operator
Updated January 8, 2025
