Printing Operations Lead - Flexographic & Prepress

Volm Companies; Town of Antigo (WI); On-site; USD 73,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Volm Companies in Antigo, WI is seeking a Printing Manager to lead Freshtech’s printing operations, from pre-press submissions through finished print of flexible films. You will plan, coordinate, and supervise a production team, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure on-time, high-quality output.

The role emphasizes cost control, safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with responsibilities spanning budgeting, vendor relations, and process optimization to maintain

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic communication, Printing Technology, Packaging, or related field and/or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in flexographic printing, prepress, or print production.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and prepress software such as Esko or ArtPro preferred.
• Strong knowledge of color management, file formats, and printing processes.
• FTA certification preferred or ability to obtain within six months, including FIRST Press Operator Level III.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct press team to ensure successful execution of departmental objectives.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop employees to ensure a highly skilled and engaged workforce.
• Establish performance expectations and hold team members accountable to safety, quality, productivity, and attendance standards.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and development.
• Address employee relations issues in partnership with Human Resources.
• Lead departmental safety initiatives and ensure compliance with company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Own departmental quality performance, including customer complaints, internal defects, waste reduction, and corrective action effectiveness.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
• Develop, implement, and maintain workflows and standard operating procedures designed with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.When possible, coordinate these workflows with all other Volm facilities using similar workflows for corporate consistency.
• Minimize waste by establishing and ensuringquality standardsand improvement processes are being communicated, followed, measured, andevaluated.
• Serve as the primary liaison between graphic design, customer service, production, and external prepress and plate-making partners to communicate specifications, request quotes, and resolve technical issues. Receive and review incoming design files to ensure they meet requirements for proper trapping, separations, accuracy, and contain proper print requirements. Make and communicate required file changes as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate documentation, specifications, and approved artwork files in accordance with change management and quality control procedures.
• Track departmentmetricson a regular basis andprovide regular reports toLeadership Team.
• Prepare and manage departmental budgets.
• Evaluate and recommend equipment upgrades or modifications to improve production capabilities.
• Monitor and communicate press characterization updates to ensure external prepress partners have accurate and current printing capability information.
• Manage relationships with pre-press, platemaking, ink, and equipment suppliers to ensure quality, service, and cost competitiveness.
• Establish and maintain print standards, color management systems, press characterization data, and process controls to ensure consistent print quality across all products and equipment.
• Accountable for achieving departmental key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and employee development.

Skills

Attention to detail

Flexographic printing

Prepress workflows

Communication

Organization & time management

Problem solving

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Communication

Printing Technology

Packaging

Related field or equivalent work experience

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Esko

ArtPro

Job description

Volm Companies in Antigo, WI is seeking a Printing Manager to lead Freshtech’s printing operations, from pre-press submissions through finished print of flexible films. You will plan, coordinate, and supervise a production team, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to ensure on-time, high-quality output.

The role emphasizes cost control, safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with responsibilities spanning budgeting, vendor relations, and process optimization to maintain