Job Description:

1. Stencil Cleaning & Handling

- Perform cleaning of SMT stencils according to approved work instructions and cleaning frequency.
- Remove solder-paste residue from stencil apertures, surfaces and frame without damaging the stencil.
- Use approved stencil-cleaning equipment, chemicals and consumables.
- Ensure stencil apertures are free from blockage before release for production.
- Handle stencils carefully during loading, unloading, movement and storage.
- Prevent stencil damage, bending, scratches and contamination.
- Maintain stencil cleanliness before and after production use.

2. Stencil Inspection & Condition Monitoring

- Visually inspect stencil condition before and after cleaning.
- Check for blocked apertures, physical damage, contamination, frame damage and other visible abnormalities.
- Escalate damaged or suspect stencils to Production/Process Engineering.
- Ensure damaged or non-approved stencils are not issued for production.
- Maintain identification and status of cleaned, used, hold and damaged stencils.
- Support periodic stencil-condition verification as defined by the process team.

3. Stencil Identification & Storage

- Verify the correct stencil ID, product/PCB part number and revision before issue to production.
- Store stencils at designated locations/racks after cleaning.
- Maintain clear stencil identification and location control.
- Ensure stencils are protected against dust and physical damage during storage.
- Prevent mixing of stencils belonging to different products or revisions.
- Maintain stencil issue/return records where required.

4. Material Feeding to Pick & Place

- Supply electronic components to the Pick & Place machine/operator according to the production plan.
- Verify correct component part number, material ID, package, reel/tray/tube and quantity before feeding.
- Ensure correct material reaches the correct machine/line/product.
- Replenish component reels in time to avoid unnecessary line stoppage.
- Coordinate upcoming component requirements with the Pick & Place Operator.
- Prevent material mix-up by following defined verification methods.
- Never feed unidentified, damaged, expired or quality-blocked material.

5. Component Reel & Feeder Preparation

- Prepare component reels and feeders for upcoming production/changeovers.
- Verify feeder type and component assignment according to the approved setup sheet.
- Support feeder loading/unloading under defined procedures.
- Ensure feeders, reels and component packages are correctly identified.
- Report damaged feeders, reels or component packaging.
- Arrange upcoming feeders in sequence to enable faster line changeover.
- Return unused feeders/components to designated locations after production.

6. Material Verification & Traceability

- Ensure full component traceability during line feeding.
- Verify part number, batch/lot, manufacturer/date-code information where required by the process.
- Maintain reel labels and identification after partial consumption.
- Follow barcode/MES scanning procedures where implemented.
- Ensure material identity is retained during reel change or transfer.
- Report any mismatch between the material and production setup immediately.
- Prevent use of untraceable components.

7. Line Changeover

- Support model/product changeovers according to the production schedule.
- Remove previous-product materials, feeders, stencil and other setup items systematically.
- Assist in preparation and installation of:

- Correct stencil
- Component reels
- Feeders
- Trays/tubes




- Required consumables
- Product-specific setup items

Prepare the next model in advance wherever possible. Follow approved changeover checklists. Support reduction of changeover time without compromising verification or quality.
8. Line Clearance

- Perform proper line clearance before starting a new product/model.
- Ensure all previous-product components, reels, PCBs, labels and consumables are removed or correctly segregated.
- Verify workstation and machine surroundings are free from loose components from the previous production lot.
- Prevent mixing of materials between different products, revisions or production lots.
- Obtain/assist with required verification before new-product production begins.

9. Production Readiness

- Ensure required stencil, materials, feeders and consumables are ready before planned production starts.
- Review upcoming production sequence with the Production Supervisor/P&P; Operator.
- Pre-stage material for planned changeovers.
- Highlight missing materials, stencils or feeders before they cause production stoppage.
- Support first-off preparation and production start-up.
- Maintain clear visibility of readiness for the next scheduled product.

10. Changeover Time Reduction

- Support SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die) and changeover-time reduction activities.
- Track changeover-related delays where required.
- Pre-kit and pre-stage components, feeders and stencils before machine stoppage.
- Separate external preparation activities from machine-stopped activities where possible.
- Participate in Kaizen activities aimed at reducing setup losses.
- Ensure improvements do not bypass required material verification or line-clearance controls.

11. ESD Control

- Follow defined Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) requirements when handling electronic components.
- Use ESD-safe bins, trolleys, trays and workstations.
- Use required ESD wrist straps, footwear and garments.
- Ensure components are not placed on uncontrolled/non-ESD surfaces.
- Report damaged or missing ESD-control equipment.
- Follow plant-defined ESD checks before working with sensitive electronic material.

12. MSD Control

- Follow approved handling requirements for Moisture Sensitive Devices (MSD).
- Minimize unnecessary exposure of moisture-sensitive components.
- Maintain appropriate identification of opened reels/packages.
- Return unused MSD material to designated controlled storage/dry cabinet as required.
- Coordinate with Stores/Production regarding floor-life status.
- Escalate material that exceeds defined exposure conditions rather than feeding material directly to production.

13. Solder Paste & Printing Support

- Support preparation of required stencil and approved consumables for the printer.
- Ensure stencil is available and clean before printer setup.
- Support safe removal and transfer of used stencils for cleaning.
- Avoid contamination or damage during stencil movement.
- Support the Printer Operator during model changeover according to defined responsibilities.
- Ensure previous model's stencil and related setup items are cleared before the next setup.

14. Material Return & Reconciliation





- Return unused component reels/trays/tubes after production according to defined procedure.
- Ensure returned material has proper identification and quantity/status information.
- Maintain traceability of partial reels.
- Ensure MSD materials are returned to the required storage condition.
- Coordinate material reconciliation with Stores/Production.
- Prevent loose/unidentified components from being returned to usable stock without authorization.

15. Abnormality Reporting

Immediately escalate conditions such as:

- Wrong material or part number
- Material without identification
- Damaged component reels/trays
- Suspected material mix-up
- Damaged or blocked stencil
- Missing feeder or setup material
- ESD/MSD non-compliance
- Line-clearance discrepancy
- Shortage likely to result in production stoppage

Do not continue feeding or setup activity until critical discrepancies are resolved.

16. 5S & Workplace Organization

- Maintain strong 5S standards in stencil-cleaning, material-preparation and changeover areas.
- Keep feeders, stencils, reels, tools and consumables at defined locations.
- Maintain clear identification of cleaned/used/damaged stencils.
- Remove unnecessary materials after every product changeover.
- Ensure material-preparation trolleys and racks remain organized.
- Maintain a clean working environment around SMT lines.

17. Safety & Chemical Handling

- Follow approved safety instructions for stencil-cleaning equipment.
- Use required PPE while handling cleaning agents/chemicals.
- Follow designated controls for storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals and contaminated cleaning materials.
- Do not use unapproved chemicals for stencil cleaning.
- Report leaks, damaged containers and unsafe conditions.
- Follow machine safety requirements when working close to SMT equipment.

18. Documentation & Records

Maintain required records including:

- Stencil cleaning
- Stencil issue/return
- Material feeding
- Component/reel traceability
- Changeover checklist
- Line-clearance confirmation
- Material return
- Daily operator checks

Ensure all entries are accurate and completed at the required time.

19. Shift Handover

- Provide proper handover regarding current product and next planned model.
- Communicate pending feeder/material preparation.
- Highlight material shortages or suspected issues.
- Inform the next shift about stencil cleaning/availability status.
- Communicate any unresolved line-clearance or changeover issues.
- Ensure materials and setup items are correctly identified before shift completion.

20. Continuous Improvement & Multi-Skilling

- Participate in Kaizen, SMED, TPM and 5S improvement activities.
- Suggest improvements for material feeding and line-changeover efficiency.
- Support reduction of material-change and setup-related stoppages.
- Develop skills in stencil cleaning, feeder preparation, material handling and line changeover.
- Support cross-training to provide flexible manpower during production peaks.

Key Skills / Competencies

- SMT stencil cleaning and handling
- SMT component identification
- Pick & Place material feeding
- Component reel/tray/tube handling
- Feeder preparation
- Product/model changeover
- Line clearance
- FIFO/material traceability awareness
- ESD/MSD control
- Basic SMT process understanding
- Material kitting
- SMED/changeover improvement
- 5S and visual management
- Basic production documentation
- Protected chemical handling
- Strong attention to material mix-up prevention

📌 SMT : Stencil Cleaning / Material Feeding / Changeover Operator Chandigarh
🏢 StepsWorths Consultancy Services
📍 Chandigarh