Production Manager

A Production Manager for a printing press oversees the entire production workflowfrom pre-production planning through to the delivery of finished printed materials. This critical role requires a blend of technical expertise and strong organizational skills to ensure projects are completed efficiently, cost-effectively, and to high quality standards.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Plan and manage production schedules to ensure timely project completion and optimal resource use.
• Oversee prepress activities, file preparation, printing runs, finishing, and final delivery.
• Supervise and guide production staff, monitor machine and team productivity, and troubleshoot workflow issues.
• Manage relationships with suppliers and vendors, negotiate costs, and ensure consistent quality of materials.
• Maintain quality assurance across all stages; review color, graphic accuracy, and adherence to client specifications.
• Coordinate with clients, designers, and other departments to clarify project requirements and communicate progress.
• Maintain accurate records and production reports, track inventory, and enforce safety and compliance regulations.
• Implement process improvements for efficiency, cost savings, and higher output quality, and keep up-to-date with the latest printing technologies.

Essential Skills

• Leadership, people management, and team coordination.
• Strong problem solving, organizational, negotiation, and communication skills.
• In-depth technical knowledge of printing processes (offset, digital, large format), ink, paper types, and finishing techniques.
• Familiarity with design software and print management systems.
• Budgeting, workflow optimization, and quality control experience.

Typical Qualifications

• Degree in printing technology, graphic design, or a related field.
• Several years’ experience in printing production management, with hands-on equipment knowledge.

A production manager is a key operational leader in the printing press, ensuring quality, efficient turnaround, budgeting, and team performance, all while maintaining strong client and vendor relationships.