Print Production Manager

PRINT PRODUCTION SENIOR CONSULTANT – JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary: The Print Production Manager plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the planning, estimating and delivery of all print production activities. This includes overseeing competitive bids and negotiations with vendors, ensuring the production and delivery of institutional marketing materials and printed media. The position ensures that all projects stay within budget, adhere to stringent quality control standards, and meet postal regulations when applicable. Flexibility and adaptability are key as this role involves managing multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, often necessitating quick decision-making and adjustments.
Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Planning: Ensures the team's adherence to critical production timelines.
• Project Management: manages the order and production process for the customer, completing and archiving all necessary documentation and fostering a culture of accountability and efficiency with vendors.
• Vendor Management: Manages relationships with printers to guarantee high-quality, cost-effective, and timely production. Collaborates with vendors to continuously improve production solutions.
• Cost Analysis: Develops proficiency in cost analysis and quality assurance, driving efficiency and value.
• Specification Development: Collaborates with vendors to create specifications for new components and negotiates favorable pricing structures.
• Quality Assurance: Oversees the processing and tracking of mock-ups, prototypes, and printer proofs with vendors to customers, ensuring quality standards are met.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Communicates supply chain issues to customers and coordinates effective solutions.
• Budget Management: Obtains approvals on budgeting, forecasting, and tracks actual product costs against proposed estimates.
• Innovation: Conducts research on vendor and technology advancements and delivery options, fostering innovation in production processes.
• Packaging Solutions: Collaborates with the team and vendors to develop packaging, fulfillment, and postal solutions while conducting costing analyses.
• Deadline Adherence: Ensures that all printing and production deadlines are met consistently.
• Records Management: Oversees document storage and physical record retention, ensuring compliance with retention policies.
• Process Improvement: Develops, documents, and updates department policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency.

Essential Skills and Experience:
• Print Production Expertise: Proficient in the print production process, particularly in the context of four-color publications.
• Paper and Printing Knowledge: Well-versed in various papers, printing processes, and techniques.
• Communication and Negotiation: Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to creatively solve problems and overcome challenges.
• Analytical and Technical Proficiency: Strong analytical and computer skills.
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for accuracy, attention-to-detail, and timeliness.
• Effective Communication: Ability to keep superiors and team members informed.
• Multi-Project Management: Proficient at prioritizing workloads and managing multiple projects from concept to production across various media.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Industry Experience: Experience in commercial printing industries.

Minimum Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree.
• In lieu of a bachelor's degree, a high school diploma or equivalent and five (5) year’s relative experience in a marketing and/or agency or publishing, printer, project management or supply chain management environment may be considered.