Manufacturing Operator Jobs at Graphic Packaging International with Visa Sponsorship
Manufacturing Operator roles at Graphic Packaging International involve running production lines and packaging equipment in a fast-paced plant environment. The company has an established path for sponsoring international workers in this function, making it a realistic target for candidates on work visas.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 14241
Location: Winston Salem, NC, US, 27105
Department: Manufacturing & Operations
Travel: No Travel Required
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.
With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.
A World of Difference. Made Possible.
JOB SUMMARY: Operates machine that forms and glues flat cartons into finished cartons. They understand and align business operations and the Department as he/she executes their role to exceed customer expectations and align with GPI business, cultural, financial and operational objectives.
JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Verifies that correct job is running based on production schedule
- Adjusts forming bars to accommodate size of box to be shaped (perform make-ready)
- Fills glue pots with adhesive and positions rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard
- Observes machine operation to detect malfunction
- Inspects cartons for flaws
- Make mechanical adjustments on machines
- Moves around Finishing Helpers to keep all glue lines adequately staffed
- Verify based on production needs that Finishing area is properly stocked with supplies and coordinates with Purchasing to bring supplies in
- Trains Finishing Helpers and Finishing Operator Assistants
- Place requests for repairs in Maintenance Connection
- Complete Daily Management boards as required including root cause and corrective action plans
- Able to perform all duties of a Finishing Helper, when glue line is short-handed, such as:
- Feeds cartons into machine bed
- Continually keeps machine feed filled with paper cartons while machine is running
- Communicates with operators/fork lift drivers to ensure there is an ample supply of die cut cartons available to be fed into gluer
- Picks up cartons from conveyor and stacks it into cases
- Check cartons for quality and excessive glue
- Able to clear the line when machine gets jammed with the Carton Pack
- Verify pallet labels for accuracy
- Other duties as assigned.
BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:
- Manufacturing experience preferred
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must have excellent attendance, be able to work independently and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
SKILLS:
- LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
- MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
- REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- MECHANICAL
EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE:
- High School Diploma, GED
- Basic computer skills, data entry
- Visual Color Discrimination, the ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of colors
- Familiar with AIB / HACCP / SQF compliance standards
- Familiar with Food defense compliance standards
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:
- Employees are required to work 10-hour shifts (M-TH).
- Employees are required to work overtime to include working weekends up to 12-hour shifts.
- Employees must have the ability to work alternate schedules and overtime that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
Physical Requirements:
- Standing, depending on changing job assignment, for extended periods.
- Awkward and/or repetitive movements
- Ability to bend/stoop, squat, crawl, climb, reach above shoulder level, kneel, balance, push/pull, twist and perform robotic motions continuously
- Lifting up to 50 lbs. continuously and up to 74 lbs. frequently
- Requires use of both feet on a continuous basis
- Requires use of both hands for simple grasping, firm grasping, fine manipulation and repetitive actions on a continuous basis
- Ability to read, write, hear, see, speak and have agility on a continuous basis
- Reading computer screen or other electronic devices
- Use of various hand and electrical tools and equipment
- Work in areas of fluctuating temperature
- PPE required: Steel-toed/safety footwear, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Cut resistant Safety Gloves, Hair Net, Beard Net
GPI’s Benefit Program
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) w/employer matching
- Health & Welfare Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Various Voluntary benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Employee Discount Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com.
Nearest Major Market: Salem
Nearest Secondary Market: Winston
Requisition ID: 14241
Location: Winston Salem, NC, US, 27105
Department: Manufacturing & Operations
Travel: No Travel Required
At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.
With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.
If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.
A World of Difference. Made Possible.
JOB SUMMARY: Operates machine that forms and glues flat cartons into finished cartons. They understand and align business operations and the Department as he/she executes their role to exceed customer expectations and align with GPI business, cultural, financial and operational objectives.
JOB FUNCTIONS: Job functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Verifies that correct job is running based on production schedule
- Adjusts forming bars to accommodate size of box to be shaped (perform make-ready)
- Fills glue pots with adhesive and positions rollers to dispense glue onto paperboard
- Observes machine operation to detect malfunction
- Inspects cartons for flaws
- Make mechanical adjustments on machines
- Moves around Finishing Helpers to keep all glue lines adequately staffed
- Verify based on production needs that Finishing area is properly stocked with supplies and coordinates with Purchasing to bring supplies in
- Trains Finishing Helpers and Finishing Operator Assistants
- Place requests for repairs in Maintenance Connection
- Complete Daily Management boards as required including root cause and corrective action plans
- Able to perform all duties of a Finishing Helper, when glue line is short-handed, such as:
- Feeds cartons into machine bed
- Continually keeps machine feed filled with paper cartons while machine is running
- Communicates with operators/fork lift drivers to ensure there is an ample supply of die cut cartons available to be fed into gluer
- Picks up cartons from conveyor and stacks it into cases
- Check cartons for quality and excessive glue
- Able to clear the line when machine gets jammed with the Carton Pack
- Verify pallet labels for accuracy
- Other duties as assigned.
BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:
- Manufacturing experience preferred
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must have excellent attendance, be able to work independently and be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
SKILLS:
- LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
- MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
- REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- MECHANICAL
EDUCATION / KNOWLEDGE:
- High School Diploma, GED
- Basic computer skills, data entry
- Visual Color Discrimination, the ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of colors
- Familiar with AIB / HACCP / SQF compliance standards
- Familiar with Food defense compliance standards
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:
- Employees are required to work 10-hour shifts (M-TH).
- Employees are required to work overtime to include working weekends up to 12-hour shifts.
- Employees must have the ability to work alternate schedules and overtime that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends and be punctual while doing so.
Physical Requirements:
- Standing, depending on changing job assignment, for extended periods.
- Awkward and/or repetitive movements
- Ability to bend/stoop, squat, crawl, climb, reach above shoulder level, kneel, balance, push/pull, twist and perform robotic motions continuously
- Lifting up to 50 lbs. continuously and up to 74 lbs. frequently
- Requires use of both feet on a continuous basis
- Requires use of both hands for simple grasping, firm grasping, fine manipulation and repetitive actions on a continuous basis
- Ability to read, write, hear, see, speak and have agility on a continuous basis
- Reading computer screen or other electronic devices
- Use of various hand and electrical tools and equipment
- Work in areas of fluctuating temperature
- PPE required: Steel-toed/safety footwear, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Cut resistant Safety Gloves, Hair Net, Beard Net
GPI’s Benefit Program
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) w/employer matching
- Health & Welfare Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Various Voluntary benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Employee Discount Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off + 11 paid company holidays each year
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email accommodations@graphicpkg.com.
Nearest Major Market: Salem
Nearest Secondary Market: Winston
See all 52+ Manufacturing Operator at Graphic Packaging International jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Manufacturing Operator Jobs at Graphic Packaging International Jobs
Certify Your Forklift and Equipment Credentials Early
Manufacturing Operator roles at packaging plants require hands-on certifications like forklift operation and lockout/tagout compliance. Having documented, verifiable credentials before you apply removes a common hiring hesitation and signals you can hit the floor running.
Target Plant Locations With Active Openings
Graphic Packaging International operates facilities across the U.S., and sponsorship decisions are made at the plant level. Filtering openings by region and focusing your applications on plants with multiple active Manufacturing Operator postings increases your odds of finding a hiring manager with budget to sponsor.
Understand How OPT and CPT Apply Here
If you're on F-1 status, practical training in a manufacturing environment qualifies under STEM OPT extensions for relevant engineering or operations degrees. Confirm your degree field maps to the role before assuming a 24-month STEM extension is available to you.
Ask About the LCA Before Accepting an Offer
For H-1B sponsorship, your employer must file a Labor Condition Application with DOL certifying the prevailing wage for your role and location. Ask the recruiter early whether they've filed LCAs for Manufacturing Operator positions at that specific plant before, not just at the company level.
Use Migrate Mate to Find Sponsoring Plants Directly
Searching general job boards won't filter for visa sponsorship history. Use Migrate Mate to identify Graphic Packaging International locations and roles where sponsorship has actually occurred, so you're applying to plants with a demonstrated track record rather than guessing.
Prepare for PERM Documentation in EB-3 Pathways
Manufacturing Operator roles frequently qualify for EB-3 green card sponsorship. PERM requires the employer to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers were available, so expect a recruitment period of several months before your priority date is established with USCIS.
Manufacturing Operator at Graphic Packaging International jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Manufacturing Operator at Graphic Packaging International JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Graphic Packaging International sponsor H-1B visas for Manufacturing Operators?
Yes, Graphic Packaging International has sponsored H-1B visas for Manufacturing Operator roles. Sponsorship is not automatic with every job offer and depends on the specific plant, the hiring manager's budget, and whether the role meets USCIS specialty occupation criteria. Candidates who raise sponsorship early in the process and come with strong technical credentials are best positioned to move forward.
How do I apply for Manufacturing Operator jobs at Graphic Packaging International?
Applications go through Graphic Packaging International's careers portal, where openings are listed by facility and shift. To find roles where visa sponsorship is a realistic outcome, browse current Manufacturing Operator positions at Graphic Packaging International on Migrate Mate, which surfaces roles based on the company's sponsorship history and active postings in one place.
Which visa types are commonly used for Manufacturing Operator roles at Graphic Packaging International?
The most common visa pathways for Manufacturing Operators at Graphic Packaging International are H-1B, TN (for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying occupations), F-1 OPT and CPT for recent graduates, and EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship for longer-term hires. J-1 training designations are also used in some facility-based programs. The right visa depends on your nationality, degree field, and career stage.
What qualifications and experience are expected for Manufacturing Operator roles?
Most Manufacturing Operator positions at Graphic Packaging International require hands-on production or packaging line experience, familiarity with safety protocols like lockout/tagout, and the ability to operate and troubleshoot automated equipment. Some roles specify a high school diploma or equivalent, while others at more technical facilities prefer candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree in a manufacturing or engineering-related field, which also strengthens visa eligibility.
How do I estimate the timeline from job offer to starting work on a sponsored visa?
Timeline depends heavily on the visa type. TN visas for Canadians can be obtained at the border in a single day. H-1B petitions, subject to the annual lottery, can take six months to over a year from registration to start date. EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM requires a recruitment period, USCIS petition approval, and then waiting on your priority date, which can extend the process to several years depending on your country of birth.
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