Print Production Director

Harrison Scott Associates; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the printing sector is seeking a strategic Production Director to lead their production control operations. This role involves overseeing production processes, ensuring efficiency and quality across departments. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in production control systems and exceptional leadership skills. You will play a pivotal role in aligning production with client demands while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will drive operational excellence and contribute to the company's long-term success.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior production role within the printing industry.
• Strong understanding of production control systems and print workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end production control function, ensuring optimal scheduling and resource planning.
• Manage coordination between pre-press, print, finishing, and dispatch for timely job completion.

Skills

Production Control Systems

Scheduling Tools

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Tools

Tharstern

PrintIQ

EFI

Job description

A market-leading printing company known for delivering high-quality print solutions is looking for a strategic and hands-on Production Director to lead its production control operations, ensuring seamless, efficient output across all departments.

The Role
As Production Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of production control—from scheduling and workflow management to resource allocation and quality assurance. You will play a critical leadership role in ensuring print production runs on time, on budget, and to the highest standard. This role requires a blend of strategic oversight, operational excellence, and team leadership in a fast-paced print environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end production control function, ensuring optimal scheduling, resource planning, and workflow efficiency.
• Manage the coordination between pre-press, print, finishing, and dispatch to ensure timely and accurate job completion.
• Implement and refine production planning systems to meet customer deadlines while maximising equipment utilisation and minimising waste.
• Monitor production KPIs such as turnaround times, print accuracy, downtime, and cost-efficiency.
• Work closely with sales and customer service to align production with client demand and inventory levels.
• Lead and develop a high-performing production control team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee compliance with quality standards, health and safety regulations, and environmental policies.
• Contribute to long-term operational planning and capital investment decisions.

Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior production role within the printing industry.
• Strong understanding of production control systems, print workflows, and scheduling tools (experience with MIS systems such as Tharstern, PrintIQ, EFI, etc. is a plus).
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to drive performance and operational discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven mindset.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.