Senior Print Production Manager

Aquent; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized health plans

Vision and dental plans

Retirement plans with match

Aquent Gymnasium training

Job summary

Aquent Talent is seeking a Senior Print Production Manager to orchestrate planning, estimating, and execution of print materials. You will liaise between internal teams and external suppliers, oversee bidding, negotiation, and high-volume delivery while maintaining quality and budget targets.

The role demands meticulous attention to detail under tight deadlines, strong vendor management skills, and a proactive approach to process improvements within a fast-paced marketing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field; five years of marketing/printing/supply chain experience in lieu of degree.
• Deep knowledge of four-color printing processes, paper stocks, finishing, and commercial printing standards.
• Ability to negotiate and manage supplier SLAs and optimize production costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end production workflow from concept through delivery, meeting deadlines.
• Manage vendor relationships, bidding, pricing, and compliance with postal regulations.
• Develop estimates, track expenditures, and perform cost analyses to maximize value.
• Oversee documentation, SOP development, and record retention.
• Identify and resolve supply chain bottlenecks and communicate solutions to stakeholders.

Skills

Print expertise

Vendor & price negotiation

Agile project management

Analytical & detail-oriented

Creative problem-solving

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field

Alternative: High School Diploma plus 5 years relevant experience

Job description

The Senior Print Production Manager plays a pivotal, strategic role in orchestrating the planning, estimating, and end-to-end execution of all print production activities. Serving as the primary liaison between internal teams and external suppliers, this role oversees competitive bidding, vendor negotiations, and high-volume delivery of institutional marketing materials and print media.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, balances strict quality control with budget constraints, ensures full compliance with postal regulations, and adeptly manages multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

Vendor Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Build and nurture strategic relationships with print vendors to guarantee high-quality, cost-effective, and timely production.
• Drive competitive bidding processes, negotiate favorable pricing structures, and collaborate with suppliers to optimize production solutions.
• Conduct market research on advancing printing technologies, materials, and delivery options to foster ongoing process innovation.

Project Management & Operational Execution

• Lead the end-to-end production workflow from concept through delivery, ensuring all critical timelines and deadlines are consistently met.
• Maintain complete and meticulous project documentation, fostering strong vendor accountability and operational efficiency.
• Oversee document storage and physical record retention in alignment with compliance policies.
• Develop, document, and refine internal department policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Budgeting & Financial Cost Analysis

• Develop and manage project estimates, obtain budget approvals, and track actual expenditures against proposed forecasts.
• Perform detailed cost analyses and leverage supply chain insights to maximize value without compromising on quality.

Quality Assurance & Packaging Solutions

• Manage the review, tracking, and approval process for mock-ups, prototypes, and printer proofs between vendors and clients.
• Partner with vendors to engineer innovative packaging, fulfillment, and postal solutions while adhering to relevant mailing regulations.
• Identify and resolve supply chain bottlenecks, proactively communicating solutions to stakeholders and clients.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• Strong Print Expertise: Deep knowledge of four-color printing processes, paper stocks, finishing techniques, and commercial printing standards.
• Vendor & Price Negotiation: Proven ability to negotiate competitive rates, manage supplier SLAs, and optimize production costs.
• Agile Project Management: Superior ability to prioritize multi-channel workloads, make quick high-pressure decisions, and manage competing deadlines.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented: Exceptional eye for accuracy, proof alignment, design specifications, and financial tracking.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Flexible mindset equipped to resolve supply chain interruptions, tight timelines, and technical production issues.
• Strong Communication: Clear, effective communicator capable of seamlessly bridging technical print language between internal stakeholders and external vendors.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Alternative Experience: In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, a High School Diploma (or equivalent) combined with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience within a marketing agency, commercial printing, publishing, or supply chain environment will be considered.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $45 to $50.05 hr. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands. Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium.

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer.

We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

We’re about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.