ARTISAN (SPECIALISED) SHEET- FED PRINTING

This position is for a specialised Sheet-Fed Printing Artisan within the Commercial Printing Directorate of a major South African government printing entity, based in Pretoria. The role is an OSD-graded vacancy and is central to the production of high-volume, high-quality commercial printed matter. The incumbent will be responsible for operating and managing sheet-fed printing presses, ensuring that all output meets stringent customer specifications and quality standards while minimising waste and maximising efficiency. As a specialised artisan, the post requires a blend of hands-on technical expertise, production planning, quality control, and supervisory leadership within a fast-paced production environment.

To be considered, applicants must hold a Grade 10 qualification or equivalent, complemented by a completed apprenticeship and a Trade Test Certificate in Lithography Sheet-Fed Machine Minding. A Grade 12 certificate will be advantageous, as will a valid driver’s licence. Importantly, candidates need a minimum of five years of post-apprenticeship experience in lithography sheet-fed machine minding within a printing production environment, demonstrating a solid track record of operating complex machinery. Given the security-sensitive nature of government work, the successful candidate must be able to obtain a positive security clearance. This role is not entry-level; it demands proven expertise in high-volume commercial printing and the ability to troubleshoot and maintain sophisticated printing equipment.

The core duties are extensive. The artisan will render sheet-fed printing of high-volume documents and support the full production process, ensuring that outputs comply with customer quality requirements. This includes implementing and enforcing quality control procedures, checking printed matter for accuracy, and driving continuous improvement initiatives, including exploring World Class Manufacturing methodologies. The role also involves planning, scheduling, and prioritising production workflows to meet tight client deadlines while optimising processes to reduce waste and increase efficiency. Beyond press operation, the artisan must ensure regular machine maintenance, integrate maintenance schedules into divisional production planning to prevent delays, participate in repairs of sheet-fed presses, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions to minimise downtime.

A significant supervisory component is included. The artisan will assign tasks to team members based on their skills, supervise and develop staff, allocate and check work, and conduct performance reviews in line with organisational policy. The role also includes providing training, coaching, and guidance on printing techniques, equipment operation, and quality control procedures. Furthermore, the incumbent will actively participate in safety, health, environment, risk, and quality (SHREQ) initiatives, assessing and mitigating safety risks within the division. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring both technical mastery and the ability to manage people and processes effectively.

Other notable information: this is a government position subject to the Public Service recruitment framework. Applicants must submit a fully completed, signed new Z83 application form along with a CV, combined into a single PDF attachment, and must correctly reference the job title and reference number. Shortlisted candidates will need to produce certified copies of qualifications. The hiring process includes personnel suitability checks, including criminal, citizenship, credit, qualification, and employment verification. By applying, candidates consent to the processing of their personal information under POPIA. Correspondence is limited to shortlisted candidates, and if no feedback is received within eight weeks, applicants should consider their application unsuccessful. Equity and employment targets are typically applied in such government adverts, and this post is advertised with the intention of promoting representativeness within the public service.