Production Manager

Job Details
Level:    Management
Job Location:    Wyoming, MI
Salary Range:    Undisclosed

Description

The Production Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and controlling all aspects of production in an organized manner to ensure safety, quality, delivery, inventory, and costs are met. This role ensures products are produced effectively, efficiently, on time, within budget, and in compliance with customer expectations. The Production Manager helps lead the Verdant Graphics team with high energy and a collaborative, solution-based approach.

Reporting to the General Manager - Verdant, the Production Manager provides leadership that motivates positive and productive employee development while ensuring exceptional customer service. This position combines strategic oversight with hands-on management, ensuring the production floor runs smoothly day-to-day while also driving continuous improvement, cross-department collaboration, and alignment with organizational goals.

Qualifications

Responsibilities:

Lead, manage, and hold the Verdant Graphics team accountable to performance goals and standards, as well as Convivial Brands core values Facilitate daily production huddles and weekly meetings to set priorities, align workloads, and resolve bottlenecks Promote a safe, open-door, solutions-oriented environment Oversee environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs Collaborate with the General Manager – Verdant to develop, implement, and manage cross-training, and development programs Coach, mentor, and develop team members to take on additional responsibility as the business grows Foster positive team morale and team member engagement Provide constructive feedback and coaching to team members and administer discipline when needed Conduct team member performance reviews Additional duties and sites may be assigned.

Operational Oversight & Scheduling:

Manage the entire production process from beginning to end Foster an environment of trust and teamwork that bridges departments and shifts for unified performance. Build and manage production schedules across presses, bindery, treatment, and handwork areas and shifts. Ensure shift coverage to minimize disruptions and ensure business continuity. Distribute labor assignments to meet daily production requirements. Monitor jobs in production and communicate with production and prepress specialists regarding proofs, specs, and shipping information. Handle last-minute add-ins and escalated issues with customers to keep production on track.

Systems, Estimating & Costing:

Maintain up to date variables in ERP System, ensuring accuracy in estimating for both routine and complex jobs. Track job costs versus estimates and provide reporting/visibility to leadership. Extract and analyze relevant data from ERP systems to drive operational improvement. Complete order entry into Printsmith (ERP). Purchase supplies as needed. Help develop and monitor KPIs including labor variance, material variance, quality metrics, throughput, and on-time delivery. Review all third-party invoices for accuracy and address any issues or irregularities.

Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives:

Lead manufacturing plans, continuous improvement projects, and lean initiatives to optimize workflow and improve financial performance. Conduct monthly capacity analysis to improve delivery times and reduce costs while maintaining customer satisfaction. Assist with annual budgeting, focusing on cost reduction and margin improvement. Work with operators in maintaining equipment to ensure consistent, reliable performance. Identify necessary equipment repairs, upgrades, or additions, research options, and present recommendations to the General Manager - Verdant. Oversee and develop vendor relationships. Develop and implement SOPs, and WIP visibility tools for improved communication and accountability. Collaborate cross-functionally with various other departments in Convivial Brands to align on company-wide priorities. Support escalated customer/internal issues, ensuring rapid resolution and strong service orientation. Collaborate or step in with key customers when needed to maintain the integrity of projects, ensure a smooth workflow, and to guarantee successful outcomes.

Travel:

Up to 25% local travel for leadership meetings or to meet with potential or current customers.

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma required, associate or bachelor's degree in printing, business administration, or related field preferred.
• At least 10 years' experience in an operational role, ideally in printing
• At least five of those years should be in a management position within the company.
• Proven record of leading teams to meet or exceed company goals.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Creative, out-of-the-box thinker. Proactive with excellent problem-solving abilities. Self-starter and team player. Outstanding experience in manufacturing ERP systems (PrintSmith preferred). Proficient with Microsoft Office (including Excel and Outlook). Comfortable with data-driven management and analysis. Knowledge of printing processes strongly preferred. Mechanical aptitude and ability to relate mechanical/technical concepts in non-technical language. Thrives on order and brings closure to issues. Change agent capable of leading through influence.

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