TABLET PRESS OPERATOR

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Press Cleaning & Sanitation

• Deep Cleaning: Tear down, clean, and sanitize tablet presses and peripheral equipment (e.g., dedusters, metal detectors, feed hoppers) according to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and safety guidelines.

• Turnaround Management: Execute efficient product changeovers by performing rigorous line clearance, ensuring no cross-contamination between different tablet batches per GMP procedures.

• Logistics & Storage: Properly wash, dry, and store compression tooling (punches and dies) to prevent damage, corrosion, or premature wear.

Maintenance & Repair

• Preventative Maintenance: Perform and log scheduled maintenance tasks, including machinery lubrication, seal replacements, and mechanical alignment checks.

• Equipment Repair: Diagnose, troubleshoot, and perform minor mechanical repairs on tablet presses to resolve operational issues (e.g., weight fluctuations, capping, binding, or mechanical timing issues).

• Tooling Inspection: Routinely inspect punches and dies for wear, pitting, or physical damage, and manage the tooling inventory matrix.

Machine Operation & Quality Control

• Setup & Calibration: Install tooling, adjust fill depth, compression pressure, and machine speed parameters to meet product specifications.

• Monitor Operations: Continuously monitor the compression process during production runs to ensure smooth mechanical operation and product consistency.

• In-Process Quality Checks: Perform regular physical and quality checks during production runs against specified standards to ensure adherence to product specifications.

• Data Integrity: Accurately document batch records, maintenance logs, cleaning checklists, in-process check results, and line clearance sheets adhering strictly to data integrity principles (ALCOA+) and GMP documentation discipline.

Safety & Communication

• Hazmat & Safety: Strictly observe all lockout/tagout (LOTO) safety procedures during cleaning and repair operations.

• Team Collaboration: Communicate machine status, part replacement needs, and maintenance bottlenecks clearly to the supervisor and incoming shifts.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED required; technical/mechanical certification preferred.

• Minimum of 12–24 months of experience working with mechanical machinery, ideally in a manufacturing, compression, or industrial maintenance environment.

• Proven experience using mechanical hand tools for machinery assembly, disassembly, and repair.

• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and standard industrial safety practices (e.g., Lockout/Tagout).

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and comprehend safety procedures, equipment technical manuals, blueprints, and standard work instructions.

• Ability to write simple, legible notes in maintenance logs and production reports.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Basic computer skills required to log maintenance activities, track inventory, or complete electronic training modules.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, and lean over machinery for extended periods.

• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity to handle delicate compression tooling and small mechanical components.

• Regularly required to bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, or reach into tight spaces to access machine internal parts for maintenance.

• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts.

• The employee must frequently lift, move, or maneuver machine parts or tooling assemblies weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally up to 100 pounds with or without mechanical assistance.

• Hearing protection may be required as the noise level in the processing area is usually moderate to loud.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: (Close vision; Distance vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus)

• The employee must be able to wear proper PPE while in Press/Production Room

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.