Laminator Operator – Flexible Packaging
Bulldog Bag Ltd. – Langley, BC
$24.00–$28.00 per hour | Full-Time, Permanent | Benefits & Pension
Experienced Laminator Operator
Bulldog Bag Ltd., a well-established, family-owned manufacturer of flexible packaging, is looking for an experienced Laminator Operator to join our Lamination Department in Langley, BC.
Our operation uses a Nordmeccanica Simplex two-layer laminating machine to produce laminated flexible packaging materials.
We are looking for an experienced operator with a strong understanding of flexible-packaging lamination, adhesive preparation and application, web handling, tension control, quality inspection, troubleshooting, and efficient machine operation.
Previous hands-on experience operating industrial flexible-packaging laminating equipment is required. Experience operating a Nordmeccanica Simplex laminator is strongly preferred.
Compensation
$24.00–$28.00 per hour, based on relevant experience and technical qualifications.
Candidates with direct Nordmeccanica Simplex experience and demonstrated ability to independently set up, operate, adjust, and troubleshoot laminating equipment may be considered toward the upper end of the range.
Key Responsibilities
- Set up and independently operate the Nordmeccanica Simplex two-layer laminating machine.
- Review job dockets, work orders, material specifications, and production requirements before starting each job.
- Verify the correct films, paper, adhesives, cores, and other materials required for production.
- Load and properly position substrates for lamination.
- Load raw material rolls and unload completed laminated rolls for the curing process.
- Verify material identification, orientation, width, and applicable job specifications.
- Verify required surface treatment (“treat”) of polyethylene film before lamination.
- Prepare and mix adhesives according to established formulations, ratios, and procedures.
- Operate and monitor the adhesive/coating system and maintain adequate adhesive supply throughout production.
- Monitor and adjust applicable machine settings, including web tension, alignment, coating application, pressure, temperature, machine speed, and winding conditions.
- Maintain proper web tracking and alignment throughout production.
- Perform start-up and ongoing quality inspections.
- Inspect laminated materials for adhesion, alignment, wrinkles, bubbles, tunnelling, delamination, contamination, and other defects.
- Identify and troubleshoot lamination, adhesive, coating, web-handling, tension, and winding problems.
- Make appropriate machine and process adjustments to maintain product quality and production efficiency.
- Monitor production speed, downtime, material usage, adhesive usage, scrap, and waste.
- Minimize start-up waste, production waste, and unnecessary downtime.
- Ensure finished laminated rolls meet applicable job and quality specifications.
- Properly identify and transfer completed rolls for the required curing process.
- Complete production records, quality documentation, material usage, downtime records, and shift paperwork accurately.
- Perform routine operator-level inspection and cleaning of the laminator and related equipment.
- Clean rollers and machine components to prevent adhesive build-up and contamination.
- Flush adhesive pumps and clean adhesive mixer tanks as required.
- Safely use approved cleaning solvents in accordance with Company procedures, SDS requirements, and required PPE.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
- Coordinate with Printing, Quality, Maintenance, Production Planning, Conversion, and other departments as required.
- Follow all Company health and safety, food safety, GMP, quality, and operating procedures.
Required Qualifications
- 3–5 years of hands-on experience operating industrial laminating equipment in flexible packaging or a closely related manufacturing environment.
- Experience with two-layer flexible-packaging lamination.
- Ability to independently set up, operate, adjust, and troubleshoot industrial laminating equipment.
- Knowledge of adhesive preparation, mixing, application, and monitoring.
- Knowledge of flexible-packaging substrates, web handling, tension control, alignment, coating application, and winding.
- Ability to identify and correct common lamination defects and process issues.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
- Ability to read and accurately interpret job dockets, work orders, material specifications, and quality requirements.
- Good mathematical and measurement skills.
- Grade 12 education or equivalent.
- Good English communication skills, including reading, writing, and speaking.
- Basic computer and organizational skills.
- Ability to accurately complete written and/or electronic production documentation.
- Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a production team.
- Ability to safely work with adhesives, cleaning solvents, and other chemicals used in the lamination process.
- Willingness and ability to work varying or rotating shifts and overtime when required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience operating a Nordmeccanica Simplex laminator is strongly preferred.
- Experience operating Nordmeccanica or comparable flexible-packaging laminating equipment.
- Experience laminating polyethylene film, printed film, paper, and other flexible-packaging substrates.
- Strong knowledge of industrial adhesive systems and adhesive mixing.
- Experience with surface-treatment verification of polyethylene film.
- Experience troubleshooting adhesion, coating, web tension, alignment, and winding issues.
- Forklift certification or previous forklift operating experience.
- Experience in food-packaging manufacturing.
- Knowledge of GMP and food safety requirements.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
- Ability to regularly bend, reach, and perform physical production duties.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to safely work around industrial machinery, adhesives, and approved cleaning chemicals.
- Required use of applicable personal protective equipment.
What We Offer
- Competitive pay: $24.00–$28.00 per hour
- Full-time, permanent employment
- Extended health and dental benefits
- Life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Company pension plan
- Overtime opportunities based on production requirements
- Stable employment with an established, family-owned Canadian manufacturer
- Opportunity to work with Nordmeccanica Simplex flexible-packaging laminating equipment
- Team-oriented manufacturing environment
Work Schedule
This position requires flexibility to work varying or rotating shifts. Overtime may also be required depending on production needs.
Work Location
Bulldog Bag Ltd. – Langley, British Columbia
This is a full-time, on-site manufacturing position. Candidates must have reliable transportation to and from the workplace for all assigned shifts.
Before You Apply
This is an experienced Laminator Operator position, not an entry-level machine operator position.
Applicants must have previous hands-on experience setting up and independently operating industrial laminating equipment used in flexible packaging or a closely related application.
When applying, please clearly indicate on your resume:
- The make and model of laminating equipment you have operated
- Your approximate years of Laminator Operator experience
- Your experience with flexible-packaging lamination
- Any previous Nordmeccanica Simplex experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $24.00–$28.00 per hour
Expected Hours: 40 per week
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $24.00-$28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Profit sharing
- Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Langley, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Secondary School (required)
Experience:
- Your number of laminator operating experience ?: 4 years (required)
Work Location: In person
