Production lead - Printing & Production Operations

Imedic Medical Solutions; Mumbai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Imedic Medical Solutions is seeking a detail-oriented Production Manager to oversee end-to-end print production, including vendor management, cost negotiation, quality control, and delivery coordination for medical education materials.

The role requires strong knowledge of paper GSM, printing techniques, finishing, binding, packaging, and proven negotiating and coordination skills to ensure on-time, cost-efficient production across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Printing Technology or related field preferred.
• Experience in print production, commercial printing, publishing, or production operations.
• Strong knowledge of paper GSM, printing processes, finishing, and packaging.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and documentation; maintain production trackers and cost comparison sheets.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end production of print materials including journals, educational modules, brochures, calendars, certificates, and marketing collaterals.
• Coordinate with printers, monitor timelines, and ensure on-time delivery.
• Negotiate pricing and terms with vendors to achieve cost efficiencies.
• Maintain production trackers and complete documentation.
• Inspect samples and ensure quality against specifications; coordinate reprints or vendor claims.
• Coordinate logistics and delivery to clients, offices, or events.
• Work with cross-functional teams (servicing, education, design, accounts, procurement).
• Take ownership of production issues and drive timely resolutions.

Skills

Vendor coordination

Negotiation

Communication

Problem-solving

MS Excel

Documentation

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Print knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or diploma in Printing Technology, Print Production, Graphic Arts, Operations, or related field

Job description

We are looking for a detail-oriented and experienced Production Manager to oversee end-to-end print production operations, including vendor management, cost negotiation, quality control, delivery coordination, and production documentation.

The candidate will be responsible for managing the complete lifecycle of print deliverables, from understanding client requirements and print specifications to coordinating with printers, monitoring production timelines, inspecting finished materials, and ensuring timely delivery. The ideal candidate must have strong knowledge of paper grades, GSM, printing techniques, finishing processes, binding, packaging, and quality standards, along with excellent negotiation and coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• 1. Print Production Management
  • Manage end-to-end production of print materials, including scientific journals, medical education modules, calendars, brochures, booklets, newsletters, certificates, conference materials, and other marketing collaterals.
  • Understand production briefs, artwork, quantities, dimensions, paper specifications, finishing requirements, and delivery timelines.
  • Ensure all print jobs are executed according to approved specifications and quality standards.
  • Monitor production schedules and proactively address delays or operational challenges.
• 2. Vendor Printer Management
  • Identify, evaluate, onboard, and maintain relationships with printing vendors, paper suppliers, binding units, packaging vendors, and logistics partners.
  • Coordinate with printers at every stage, from quotation and proof approval to production, inspection, dispatch, and delivery.
  • Obtain competitive quotations from multiple vendors and assess them based on cost, quality, reliability, and turnaround time.
  • Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, and other commercial terms to achieve cost efficiencies.
  • Maintain an updated vendor database, including capabilities, pricing, turnaround times, and performance records.
• 3. Knowledge of Paper Print Specifications
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of paper types, grades, GSM, thickness, texture, opacity, and suitability for different print applications.
  • Understand printing methods, including offset and digital printing, as well as lamination, UV coating, binding, folding, die-cutting, and other finishing techniques.
  • Interpret technical specifications accurately, including dimensions, colour requirements, page counts, cover materials, binding styles, and packaging instructions.
  • Verify that the paper and materials used by vendors match the approved specifications.
  • Identify material substitutions or specification deviations before production and obtain approval wherever required.
• 4. Costing Budget Control
  • Prepare and evaluate print production estimates and quotations.
  • Negotiate with vendors to secure competitive pricing without compromising quality.
  • Compare actual production costs against approved budgets and identify opportunities for savings.
  • Track cost variations arising from changes in quantities, paper specifications, artwork, finishing, or delivery requirements.
  • Ensure all commercial commitments and additional costs are documented and approved.
• 5. Quality Control Inspection
  • Inspect samples, colour proofs, paper quality, print alignment, colour consistency, binding, finishing, and overall workmanship.
  • Ensure the final output matches the approved artwork, specifications, sample, and purchase order.
  • Identify defects such as incorrect GSM, colour variations, misprints, poor binding, damaged copies, and quantity shortages.
  • Coordinate corrective actions, reprints, replacements, or vendor claims wherever necessary.
  • Ensure that only approved, quality-checked materials are dispatched to clients or designated locations.
• 6. Delivery Logistics Coordination
  • Ensure timely delivery of all print materials to clients, offices, warehouses, event venues, and other designated locations.
  • Coordinate with vendors and logistics partners for dispatch schedules, packaging, transportation, and delivery tracking.
  • Monitor committed delivery dates and elevate potential delays well in advance.
  • Verify delivered quantities against purchase orders and dispatch records.
  • Ensure appropriate packaging, labelling, carton identification, and shipment documentation for every delivery.
• 7. Documentation Reporting
  • Maintain complete documentation for every print job, including:
  • Production briefs and approved specifications.
  • Vendor quotations and cost comparisons.
  • Purchase orders and work orders.
  • Artwork and proof approvals.
  • Paper specifications and quality inspection reports.
  • Delivery challans, e-way bills wherever applicable, invoices, and dispatch records.
  • Delivery confirmations, shortage reports, and quality-related claims.
  • Maintain a production tracker covering job status, vendor, quantities, costs, deadlines, and delivery status.
  • Provide regular updates to management and internal teams on production progress, delays, costs, and pending deliveries.
  • Ensure records are accurate, traceable, and readily available for audits and financial reconciliation.
• 8. Internal Coordination
  • Work closely with client servicing, medical education, design, accounts, procurement, and operations teams.
  • Clarify technical requirements before releasing jobs to printers.
  • Ensure approved artwork, specifications, quantities, and delivery instructions are communicated clearly to vendors.
  • Coordinate invoice verification against purchase orders, agreed pricing, and actual deliveries.
  • Take ownership of production-related issues and ensure timely resolution.

Required Skills Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Printing Technology, Print Production, Graphic Arts, Operations, or a related field preferred.
• Relevant experience in print production, commercial printing, publishing, or production operations.
• Strong practical knowledge of paper quality, GSM, printing processes, binding, finishing, and packaging.
• Proven experience in vendor coordination, quotation evaluation, and cost negotiation.
• Strong understanding of production planning, quality control, inventory, and delivery management.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and documentation, with the ability to maintain production trackers and cost comparison sheets.
• Strong communication, negotiation, follow-up, and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple jobs simultaneously.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time delivery rate of print jobs.
• Adherence to approved print specifications and quality standards.
• Cost savings achieved through vendor negotiations.
• Reduction in printing errors, reprints, wastage, and material shortages.
• Accuracy and completeness of production documentation.
• Vendor performance and responsiveness.
• Timely resolution of production and delivery issues.
• Adherence to approved budgets and purchase order values.

Disclaimer: This job posting and Location has been aggregated from external source. Role details, content, and availability are subject to change. Applicants are advised to confirm the latest information directly on the company website before applying.