SOU SAETERN
Fort Worth
Summary
Production & Set-Up Operator with 15+ years of progressive career growth gained in fast-paced manufacturing, retail, and distribution environments supporting demanding customers while working under continuous safety, quality, cost-control, and deadline pressure. Quick-to-learn and adapt to ever-changing technologies and business conditions. Proven mechanical aptitude with machine set-up, operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance-repair abilities working with complex production machinery. Detail-oriented, dependable, and efficient with effective customer-service, communications, and interpersonal skills, leading, contributing, and participating in team based and individual assignments with little to no direct supervision. Critical Thinker with outstanding attendance and an unbeatable work ethic - hardworking, patient, determined, and persistent - able to manage multiple priorities and challenges while delivering business results.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Package machine operator
Frito-Lay
Irving
10.2025 - Current
- Operated packaging machinery to ensure efficient snack food processing.
- Monitored equipment performance and conducted routine maintenance checks.
- Followed safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment.
- Collaborated with team members to meet daily production goals.
- Adjust machine settings to complete tasks accurately.
- Ensure that safety guidelines are followed at all times while operating machinery.
- Observe machine operations to detect any problems or defects in the finished product.
- Comply with company policies regarding quality control procedures.
- Monitored and observed production line to watch for pile-ups and jams.
- Troubleshoot malfunctions in equipment or processes.
- Verified production orders prior to starting set-up.
Career break
Full-time caregiver
02.2024 - 09.2025
Second Press operator
QUAD
West Sacramento
01.2016 - 02.2024
- Principal assistant to Lead Operator, consistently meet safety, quality, efficiency, productivity, and customer-satisfaction goals.
- Assist with set up, make-ready processes, and overall operation of multi-color offset printing press.
- Troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventative maintenance on press and its auxiliary equipment.
- Identify problems, offer solutions, and provide technical support to Customer Service Representatives.
- Continuously monitor flow of materials, equipment set-ups, job progress, quality, and scheduling.
- Prepare press for operation by verifying proper documentation, adjust tension, check PH/conductivity, adjust the delivery stacker, set register, and install blankets. Maintain the water supply center and adjust water level for proper ink solution.
- Set color to match proof to meet customer's quality expectations.
- Ensure proper roll-paper positioning and tension on press by installing roll stock, splicing, and threading paper through the web.
- Document production counts to ensure the correct quantities are produced.
- Operate material handling equipment such as forklift and pallet jack as necessary.
- Apply Continuous Process Improvement and Lean Manufacturing principles of workplace organization.
- Originally owned and operated by Treasure Chest Advertising then purchased by Vertis Communications and finally acquired in 2013 by Quad, a Wisconsin based, commercial printer, the facility printed, finished, and distributed retail advertising, newspaper, and promotional inserts. The printing industry is adapting within an ever-evolving e-communications environment resulting in plant closures, consolidations and nationwide restructuring impacting me and many others. www.quad.com
- I began my career in printing as a Material Handler, moving up to a Roll Tender gaining the technical expertise necessary to advance to second press Operator.
Reset Team Member
RETAIL MARKETING SOLUTIONS INC.
Livermore
03.2014 - 10.2015
- Execute merchandise resets and renovations in accordance with client specifications, including product placement, signage installation, and shelf adjustments.
- Work as part of a team to safely move and assemble fixtures, shelves, and displays to meet store layout requirements.
- Utilize handheld devices and other tools to access planograms, scan products, and track progress throughout the reset process.
- Communicate effectively with store management and RMSI supervisors to coordinate work schedules, address concerns, and resolve issues as they arise.
- Adhere to safety protocols and best practices to minimize risk of injury or damage to merchandise, fixtures, and equipment.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of work areas, including backrooms and sales floors, during and after reset activities.
- Retail Merchandising Services and Consulting. www.facebook.com
Lead Merchandise Stocker
SAM'S CLUB
Sacramento
05.2007 - 01.2014
- Stock shelves and displays with merchandise according to planograms, ensuring proper placement, facing, and signage.
- Rotate and restock products to maintain freshness and minimize waste, adhering to first-in, first-out (FIFO) principles.
- Monitor inventory levels and communicate replenishment needs to supervisors or team leads to prevent out-of-stock situations.
- Assist customers with locating products and answering questions about pricing, availability, and product features.
- Perform periodic spot checks and audits of merchandise to identify and correct discrepancies or misplaced items.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of work areas, including backrooms, stockrooms, and sales floors, to ensure a safe and pleasant shopping environment.
- Assisted in recruiting and training new team members.
- Warehouse Club Retail Store. www.samsclub.com
Education
High School Diploma -
Hiram Johnson High School
Sacramento, CASkills
- Press operation
- Preventative maintenance
- Troubleshooting techniques
- Quality control
- Color matching
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Waste reduction
Training
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Team Building
- Project & Risk Management
- Understanding Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
- Strategic Planning
- Listening Skills
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Basic Home/Car Maintenance
- Densitometer Reading
- Customer Service
- Continuous Process Improvement and Lean Manufacturing principles including Total Quality, Six Sigma, Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory Controls, Kaizen, and GEMBA Walks.
- General Safety (OSHA compliance)
- Hazardous Materials (MSDS, Waste & Spills, Storm Water Pollution Controls, HAZMAT, Recycling)
- Ladder Safety
- Ergonomics
- Fire Prevention & Extinguishers
- Electrical Safety
- Confined Space Entry
- Equipment Guarding
- Material Handling & Pedestrian Safety
- Lock-Out / Tag-Out
- Hand Safety (mechanical integrity, nip points)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Emergency & Evacuation procedures.
- MS365: Word, PowerPoint, Edge, TEAMS, & Outlook
- Adobe Creative Suite: Acrobat & Photoshop user skills
- Business-Data-Management systems used to plan, schedule, inventory-control, labor & materials costing, analysis, and reporting.
Timeline
Package machine operator
Frito-Lay
10.2025 - Current
Career break
Full-time caregiver
02.2024 - 09.2025
Second Press operator
QUAD
01.2016 - 02.2024
Reset Team Member
RETAIL MARKETING SOLUTIONS INC.
03.2014 - 10.2015
Lead Merchandise Stocker
SAM'S CLUB
05.2007 - 01.2014
High School Diploma -
Hiram Johnson High School