Bindery Complex Equipment Operator, ON, Printing Services - Lakeland

Role overview

This position focuses on completing, finishing, and packaging printed materials. The work involves preparing single or multi-part jobs and assembling them into finished kits or products by hand or by using bindery and finishing machinery. The role supports production in a printing services environment and requires attention to accuracy, quality, safety, and timing.

Equipment used in this role includes a 60-inch pressure-sensitive/heat laminator, shrink-wrapper, 30-inch cutter, padding racks, rubberstamp assembly tools, three-hole drill, spiral punch and binder, tab laminator and cutter, stitcher, box maker, table-top folder, table-top laminator, high-speed punch, industrial sewing machine, 40-bin collator, gift card affixer, and double-sided heat laminator.

Key responsibilities

• Review written job instructions carefully and make sure production work matches the specified requirements for each order.
• Set up and manually assemble one or multiple components into a completed kit or finished product.
• Operate all listed bindery and finishing equipment in a safe, efficient, and complete manner.
• Package finished items correctly, apply proper labels, and palletize products safely for shipment or storage.
• Carry out routine operator-level cleaning and maintenance on the equipment and keep the work areas orderly.
• Record production time and material usage accurately using shop-floor data collection terminals.

Required qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Comfort with basic math and measurement work.
• Understanding of basic volume and weight concepts.
• Mechanical aptitude and practical equipment-handling ability.
• Physical capability to lift up to 70 pounds continuously, walk or stand for up to 14 hours per day, and perform bending and squatting as needed.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to solve problems effectively.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing work needs and schedules.
• Willingness to work variable schedules, sometimes on short notice, including weekends and/or holidays when needed.

Preferred qualifications

• High school education plus trade school training or a trade school diploma.
• About 3 years of bindery trade experience.
• Bindery-related certifications.
• Familiarity with shop-floor data collection systems, including Monarch Data Collection (thin net) terminals.
• Working knowledge of printing, especially binding and finishing principles, with the ability to spot issues that could reduce finished-product quality.
• Experience setting up and operating bindery equipment.
• Understanding of basic mailing rules.
• Knowledge of shipping and distribution processes.
• Awareness of SDS, LOTO, and PPE requirements.
• Familiarity with Publix and Printing/Mailing Services policies and procedures, including attendance, punctuality, plant security, and safety.
• Understanding of chain-of-custody practices for separating and identifying raw materials and finished goods correctly.
• Knowledge of Publix and Printing Services job and code numbering systems.

Benefits

• Employee stock ownership plan that adds Publix stock to associates every year at no cost.
• Option to buy additional shares in the privately held company stock.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Free hot buffet-style lunches at facilities with a cafeteria.

Year-end bonus

Publix pays a holiday bonus in November to recognize associates for their calendar-year contributions. In the first year of continuous employment, the bonus equals 15 hours of pay. In the second year, it equals one week of pay if the associate is still employed on the issue date. From the third year onward, the bonus equals two weeks of pay.

Additional information

Applicants may need to complete extra steps to stay eligible for consideration. Email should be checked every day, including spam or junk folders, because time-sensitive messages may require action within 24 to 48 hours. The company asks applicants not to use a company email address when submitting an application. A confirmation email is sent after successful submission.

The employer will not file immigration-related petitions or applications with USCIS or the Department of State on behalf of any noncitizen for work authorization or continued employment in the United States, including H-1B, TN, or permanent residence cases.