Customization Production Supervisor

Rocky Brands; Nelsonville (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocky Brands is seeking a Customization Production Supervisor to oversee daily apparel customization operations, including DTF printing and related equipment. You will lead a production team, manage workflow, and ensure quality, safety, and timely delivery of customer orders in a fast-paced environment.

This hands-on leadership role combines technical printing expertise with staff supervision, equipment management, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize throughput and throughput

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience leading production or printing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of DTF printing, heat presses, and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily customization production activities and staff.
• Interview, hire, train, and support skill development.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety, and quality standards.
• Plan, organize, and monitor performance; document progress and development needs.
• Maintain records and production documentation; communicate with stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for workflow improvements and efficiency gains.

Skills

Leadership

Print production

DTF printing

Team supervision

Process improvement

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

DTF printers

Heat presses

RIP software

Job description

The Customization Production Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily apparel customization operations, including Direct-to-Film (DTF) and related print production processes. This role leads production staff, manages workflow, maintains quality standards, and ensures customer orders are completed accurately, safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

This is a hands‑on leadership role that combines technical printing expertise with employee supervision, operational oversight, equipment management, and continuous improvement initiatives in a fast‑paced production environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Core Supervisor Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead employees, ensuring the team meets operational expectations.
• Interview, hire, train and support ongoing skill development.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Plan, organize and monitor individual and team performance, documenting progress or identified development needs, supporting the employees' professional growth.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure operational documentation is complete.
• Communicate effectively with employees, leadership, and cross‑functional partners.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and safe work environment.
• Lead continuous improvement in processes and team operations, identifying opportunities for improved workflow, productivity, and team effectiveness.

Production Operations

• Oversee daily customization production activities, including production scheduling, workflow coordination, job prioritization, and labor allocation.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot DTF printers and related customization equipment including heat presses, curing systems, and finishing equipment.
• Monitor production output to ensure efficiency, accuracy, quality, and on‑time shipment of customer orders.
• Review production schedules and coordinate with customer service, sales, warehouse, and distribution teams to meet operational deadlines and customer expectations.
• Prepare and manage print files including artwork review, color calibration, layout adjustments, sizing, and print setup.
• Ensure proper machine setup, maintenance, and cleaning procedures are consistently followed.
• Coordinate equipment repairs and preventative maintenance to minimize production downtime.
• Support production planning initiatives to improve throughput, turnaround times, and operational efficiency.

Quality Assurance

• Inspect finished products for print quality, alignment, color accuracy, adhesion, placement, and overall durability.
• Implement and maintain quality control standards throughout all stages of the customization process.
• Identify and resolve production defects, print inconsistencies, and rework issues promptly and professionally.
• Ensure customer specifications and branding requirements are consistently met.
• Monitor quality metrics and recommend corrective actions or process improvements when needed.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Monitor inventory levels for inks, films, powders, apparel blanks, packaging materials, and production supplies.
• Ensure accurate material usage and inventory control procedures are followed.
• Assist with ordering, receiving, and tracking customization production supplies.
• Minimize material waste and identify cost‑saving opportunities within the production process.
• Maintain organized workstations and efficient production flow throughout the department.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, workflow efficiency, print quality, and turnaround times.
• Recommend and implement process improvements, equipment upgrades, and operational best practices.
• Assist leadership with developing standardized operating procedures and training documentation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Production KPI Ownership

• On‑Time Shipment %
• Rework %
• Scrap %
• Machine Uptime

Capacity Planning

• Forecast labor requirements
• Balance workloads
• Capacity planning
• Production forecasting

Artwork Approval Process

• Verify customer artwork
• Maintain logo library and inventory
• Approve production proofs
• Coordinate artwork revisions
• Ensure branding compliance

Cost Control

• Ink consumption
• Film usage
• Powder usage
• Waste reduction
• Labor efficiency
• Machine utilization

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies, operational standards, and workplace safety procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe production environment.
• Promote proper handling and usage of printing equipment, chemicals, inks, and materials.
• Support compliance with environmental, safety, and operational regulations as applicable.

Administrative

• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to prepare documents, manage schedules, create reports, organize data, and support daily departmental operations.
• Maintain effective email communication by responding promptly to internal and external inquiries, drafting professional correspondence, and organizing messages using Outlook tools such as calendars, tasks, and folders.
• Attend meetings (in‑person or via Microsoft Teams), prepare and share documentation as needed, and follow up on assigned action items using task‑management tools such as Teams Tasks or Planner.
• Create, update, and maintain records, spreadsheets, databases, reports, and other office documentation to support departmental processes and ensure accurate information tracking.
• Communicate professionally with coworkers, leaders, customers, and visitors, both verbally and in writing, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and a high level of customer service.
• Support teamwork by participating in shared projects, providing assistance to colleagues, and contributing to a respectful, collaborative workplace culture.

Required Key Skills and Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2‑5 years of experience in production, printing, customization, apparel decoration, or related manufacturing environment.
• Previous leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience preferred.
• Experience operating DTF printers, digital printers, heat transfer equipment, screen print equipment, or similar production machinery strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of color management, print setup, artwork preparation, and production workflow processes.
• Working knowledge of RIP software, graphic file preparation, and print production systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective communication, leadership, organizational, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Production Management, Graphic Design, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CADlink, or similar graphic design and RIP software.
• Experience within apparel customization, branded merchandise, promotional products, or industrial print production environments.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience preferred.

Working Conditions

Production Environment

This position operates within a fast‑paced production and manufacturing environment. Work is performed with material‑handling equipment and there is frequent interaction with production equipment, inks, heat presses, and customization machinery.

Noise levels range from moderate to loud depending on operational activity. Employees may work in areas with concrete floors, high‑traffic zones, and variable lighting.

Employees are expected to maintain a clean, safe workspace and follow all company safety policies and operational procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and move throughout the production area for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions including bending, reaching, and handling production materials.
• Ability to work safely in a production environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, and equipment exposure.
• Visual ability to inspect print quality, alignment, and color accuracy.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.