Manager - Print Production

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Contract Regional Print Production Manager will serve our client and the Graphics Shared Services team as an agent of the new Print Quality Management Program. This role will liaise between our client, SGK Global Print Production Manager and other functions, such as Global Design and Marketing, as well as regional pre-media and creative agencies and printers, working toward the common goal of improved packaging quality.

This role will identify potential print constraints and advise possible optimizations to minimize or remove those constraints. Candidate must be available to be in person at Chicago, IL or possible overseas travel.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct print feasibility checks on local skus being produced for the region 
• Review client design concepts and identify potential print constraints 
• Provide possible design enhancements which could minimize or remove potential print constraints 
• Provide consideration options for alternate ink sets or separation techniques which could enhance or improve print quality and consistency 
• Check the printer database to assess printer capability and take necessary steps if unknown 
• Attend or coordinate attendance at print trials as necessary 
• Review GMG proofs as necessary 
• Manage print color delta (LSD) if applicable 
• Monitor and record readings on printed finished goods 
• Assist in onboarding printers to our client’s ways of working 
• Liaise with printers i.e. pre-pros, print specs, problem solving 
• Ensure similar files are built consistently 
• Attend pre-pro meetings 
• Retrieve drawdowns as necessary and included in the drawdown library 
• Continuously seeks to reduce rework and costs associated with supply chain and printed packaging

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Design to Print space (Print color and quality mgmt.) 
• Experience across packaging component types, such as pressure sensitive labels, shrink labels, folding cartons, cans and flexible film packaging etc. 
• Experience of the gravure, offset lithography, and flexography color separation and print technologies 
• Familiarity of color attributes such as lightness, chroma and hue of a color, and the expression of color tolerance differences using Delta CIELAB 
• Familiarity of the instruments and methods used to measure color, e.g., spectrophotometers 
• Must be knowledgeable of graphic arts software applications such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, etc. ESKO WebCenter software is a plus, but not required.

PREFERRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/COMPETENCIES:

• Strong pre-media and or packaging print experience 
• Strong influencing skills and listening and negotiation skills 
• Excellent verbal and written communications for variety of audiences (all levels internal, multi-functional, external companies) 
• Experience working directly in a print production facility would be ideal 
• A commitment to achieving results 
• English speaking required in both locations 
• Ability to speak local language to manage local printers
• For N.A. – Spanish is also preferred