Print Production Manager

Matthews International; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions company in Gateshead is seeking a Manager – Print Production to lead collaborative projects with design firms. The role requires proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, alongside strong project management skills. Candidates should have progressive print production experience and excellent communication abilities. This position offers a dynamic work environment focused on delivering exceptional print solutions.

Qualifications

• Progressive print production experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, and planning skills.
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Work interactively with the Design Firm on image reproduction and development.
• Recommend colour managed proofing to improve design intent predictability.
• Ensure quality artwork meets client design intent.
• Attend design planning and pre-production meetings as needed.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

MS Office Suite

Strong analytical skills

Project management

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Job description

With more than 150 years of industry-leading experience, the businesses of SGS & Co and SGK are uniting to form SGX—a powerful force in innovative packaging production. Building on the legacy of trusted service since 1947 and 1953, SGX will deliver the full suite of packaging graphics, plate and cylinder production, and metal deco services to brand owners, retailers, and printers—all with a focus on reducing complexity, delivering flawless in-market execution, and leveraging global reach to drive consistency and impact at scale.

The Mgr – Print Production

The PPM’s role is to: Work closely with the clients Design / DDS / Design Firm / Brand / Product Development / Tech Packaging / MPD / and Printer to communicate any specific print specifications and provide technical input on designs, to deliver quality, print feasible designs for all artwork.

The PPM will have ownershipof the project’s critical path schedule (CPS), in regard to artwork being delivered from SGX pre-press, and production studios.

The PPM will seek to reduce rework and costs associated with the client’s pre-press supply chain and printed packaging.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work interactively with the Design Firm on image reproduction, and image development
• Recommend colour managed proofing / pre-testing to improve predictability of reproducing design intent.
• Provide leadership and clear communication to Design Firm & DDS on colour setups, production art, and proofing options for modelling and simulating printing characteristics that could reduce costs in the rest of the supply chain.
• Accountable to work with the supplier’s pre-press internal production artists to ensure that final artwork quality meets the clients Design intent and deliver clear communication to the client on quality measures of colour match, sharpness, file integrity.
• Communicate with the client’s colour management principles across print supply chain
• Ensure a Graphic Target (colour managed digital contract proof) exists for all representative SKU’s including all the graphical elements. The use of PantoneLIVE®spectral data is required to be used on colour managed contract proofs.
• Attend design planning meetings, pre-production meetings and any postproduction meetings as needed.
• Ensure the Printer has a complete set of artwork print quality reference materials, Contract proofs, and Normalized PDFs prior to the start of printing.
• Work collaboratively with the client appropriate functions (e.g. Marketing, DDS, Design, Artwork, Tech Packaging etc.) on CPS schedules and timings.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to use Adobe illustrator and photoshop proficiently.
• Progressive print production experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Occasional travel either locally, nationally, and/or internationally may be required.
• High degree of proficiency MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications
• Strong analytical, prioritizing, interpersonal, problem-solving, presentation, budgeting, project management (from conception to completion), & planning skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including analysis, interpretation, & reasoning)
• Confidence in interaction directly with the client and printers.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues across the organization, as well as internal and external clients
• Ability to work well autonomously and within a team in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment.
• Ability to work with and influence peers and senior management
• Self-motivated with critical attention to detail, deadlines and reporting

The businesses of SGS & Co and SGK have united to form Propelis, a go-to-market ecosystem that enables marketers to move their brands forward with greater speed, clarity, and confidence. Our broad range of integrated solutions include brand creative, packaging, print solutions, branded environments, and content production. Services are delivered through our family of brands: SGX, Marks, Equator, Collide, and 5Flow. With a combined legacy spanning more than 150 years, Propelis commences operations with 10,000 employees in 30+ countries, nearly $1 billion in annual sales, and a diverse client base of over 2,000 leading companies.