JOB TITLE: SIM Card Punching Officer
REPORTING TO: Punching Supervisor
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya
The Purpose of the Job
The SIM Card Punching Officer is the precision craftsman of our smart card production line. This role is responsible for operating advanced SIM punching equipment to transform large plastic sheets or strips into fully formed, finished SIM cards that meet stringent technical specifications, rigorous quality requirements, and demanding production targets. By ensuring flawless punching—clean edges, accurate dimensions, and perfect module separation—you directly guarantee that every SIM card fits seamlessly into mobile devices and functions reliably. Your commitment to safe operating practices and precision engineering underpins our entire production output.
A Brief Description of the Person Specs
Our client is looking for a technically skilled, mechanically minded, and safety-conscious professional who takes pride in operating heavy machinery with precision and care. You possess a sharp eye for defects—cracks, burrs, misalignments, or incomplete punching—and understand that a single error can render a batch unusable. You are disciplined, process-driven, and have a deep respect for workplace safety and equipment integrity. Your work ethic is defined by meticulous attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and a relentless commitment to minimizing waste while maximizing output.
Tasks, Duties & Responsibilities
Machine Operation: Operate SIM punching machinery safely, efficiently, and in strict accordance with approved operating procedures, work instructions, and safety guidelines.
Machine Preparation: Precisely prepare machines for production in accordance with approved technical specifications, including setting correct tooling, dies, pressure, and cutting parameters.
Quality Monitoring: Continuously monitor production quality throughout the punching process, promptly identifying and addressing any deviations from required standards.
Product Inspection: Conduct systematic inspections of finished products for defects such as burrs, cracks, incomplete punching, misalignment, or dimensional inaccuracies, ensuring strict compliance with specifications.
Fault Reporting: Promptly report machine faults, operational issues, or unusual sounds/vibrations to the maintenance team and supervisor to minimize downtime and prevent equipment damage.
Record Maintenance: Maintain accurate production logs, quality control records, and machine performance data, ensuring full traceability and readiness for audits.
Housekeeping: Ensure equipment cleanliness and perform routine housekeeping duties, maintaining a tidy, organized, and hazard-free work area.
Safety Compliance: Observe all workplace safety procedures, operational guidelines, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, fostering a culture of zero incidents.
Waste Minimization: Actively minimize production waste and material losses through careful handling of raw materials, precise machine calibration, and efficient job execution.
Preventive Maintenance: Support preventive maintenance activities where required, including routine lubrication, tooling changes, and basic equipment adjustments to maintain peak performance.
Target Achievement: Consistently achieve assigned productivity and quality targets, balancing speed with precision to meet production schedules without compromising standards.
Process Improvement: Actively contribute to process improvement initiatives, suggesting practical enhancements to punching workflows, tooling design, and waste reduction strategies.
Person Specification
Educational & Professional Qualifications
- Education: A Bachelors Degree or Diploma in a relevant discipline, such as Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Technology, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
- Experience: 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in machine operation, production, or manufacturing roles, ideally within a high-precision electronics, semiconductor, or smart card manufacturing environment. Experience with punch presses, die-cutting equipment, or similar high-speed automated machinery is a distinct advantage.
Skills Forte
Soft Skills:
- Mechanical Aptitude: A natural understanding of machinery, moving parts, tooling, and the ability to identify potential mechanical issues before they escalate.
- Impeccable Attention to Detail: You can spot microscopic cracks, burrs, or misalignments that others would miss, ensuring only perfect products leave the punching station.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to correlate machine parameters (speed, pressure, temperature) with product quality, quickly identifying root causes of punching defects.
- Safety Consciousness: An uncompromising commitment to workplace safety, with a deep understanding of the risks associated with heavy machinery.
- Patience & Methodical Approach: The ability to perform precision-driven, repetitive tasks without losing focus or compromising accuracy over long shifts.
- Communication: Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills for reporting faults, logging production data, and liaising with maintenance teams.
Technical Skills:
- Computer Literacy: Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word) for data entry, shift reporting, and recording production metrics.
- Machine Interface: Familiarity with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panels, PLC controls, or basic production software interfaces is a significant added advantage.
- Tooling Knowledge: Understanding of punch and die clearances, tool wear indicators, and basic tooling changeover procedures is a distinct plus.
Core Competencies:
- Operational precision, strict process adherence, proactive fault-finding, effective time management, and collaborative teamwork.
Remuneration Package (Tailored for the Kenyan Market)
We offer a competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain skilled technical professionals in the high-precision manufacturing sector:
Salary:
- A competitive monthly gross salary. Commensurate with your: Qualifications, Level of Experience, and Specific Location.
- Roles based in Nairobi typically command the higher end of this scale, reflecting the specialized technical nature of high-speed punching operations.
Shift Allowance:
- An additional shift allowance will be provided for officers working non- standard hours or rotating shifts where applicable.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health insurance coverage (inpatient and outpatient).
- Pension/Retirement plan contributions (NSSF and additional company schemes).
- Generous annual leave entitlement and paid public holiday benefits.
Perks:
- A stable, secure working environment within the dynamic telecommunications manufacturing sector, with access to ongoing technical training, machine certification opportunities, and clear career progression pathways within the organization.