Waxer Operator

Novolex is a leading manufacturer specializing in food, beverage, and specialty packaging solutions that cater to a broad array of industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and various industrial sectors. With extensive manufacturing and sourcing expertise, Novolex handles a diverse range of substrates such as resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum, and others. The company offers customers a wide selection of stocking and customized products, featuring over 120 product categories, 250 brands, and more than 39,000 SKUs. Novolex is recognized for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability, ensuring it meets the dynamic needs of its customers while maintaining environmentally responsible practices.

At Novolex, sustainability is a core value embedded in every aspect of its business operations, built around three key pillars: their products, operations, and people. These pillars reflect the company’s dedication to promoting sustainable practices and achieving ambitious environmental, social, and governance goals. Novolex’s sustainability initiatives contribute to responsible product development, efficient operations, and fostering a culture that supports employee well-being and community engagement.

Novolex is currently hiring for the role of Waxer Operator in Chicago, a critical position that blends technical skill with team collaboration in the manufacturing process. The Waxer Operator is responsible for setting up and operating a wax coater mounted in line with a flexographic printing press to coat paper rolls with a paraffin wax blend. These coated papers are specially designed for use in making butter, candy, confectionery, and food service wrappers. The position typically involves working closely with a Press Operator to ensure smooth operation of the wax coating machinery, including threading paper through the waxer and managing paper rewind processes.

This role demands an individual with substantial hands-on experience in operating web-fed converting machines, with a minimum of two years as a coater helper or operator, and five or more years overall in the field. The Waxer Operator’s responsibilities range from mixing wax blends and regulating machine controls to performing quality checks on coated materials and maintaining equipment cleanliness. This position also requires physical abilities such as lifting rolls and machine parts, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and adhering to Safe Quality Food (SQF) policies to ensure the product is safe for direct food contact.

Novolex values continuous improvement and offers robust training opportunities through its MyLearning platform. These include skills development, formal education assistance via Tuition Reimbursement (for non-union employees), and specialized industry training aimed at advancing employee careers within the company. Novolex also emphasizes a supportive community, encouraging facility-level involvement in charitable activities focused on sustainability and food security.

The company offers competitive benefits alongside a strong safety culture and comprehensive health and wellness programs, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Novolex is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Formerly known as Pactiv Evergreen, Novolex’s tradition of excellence and innovation continues to offer exciting career opportunities where packaging innovation truly meets career growth.