Print Pulse and Artwork Systems Manager

SkillsMap

Sandton

On-site

ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Amrod in Sandton seeks a Print Pulse and Artwork Systems Manager to lead the implementation and optimisation of artwork and production systems across 11 production departments and 21 branding methods.

You will identify production-impacting artwork issues, research solutions, test improvements, train teams, and bridge Production, R&D, IT and Sales to deliver technically sound, data-driven workflows.

Qualifications

5+ years' hands-on experience in pre-press, digital print production, reprographics, or artwork environments across multiple branding/print methods.
Demonstrated analytical capability: experience tracking production metrics, analyzing error data, identifying root causes, and using data to priorities action.
Intimate understanding of what "production ready" means across multiple branding methods: how file requirements, colour management, and constraints differ between screen, pad, digital, laser, sublimation, etc.
Practical ability to build and deploy macros, automation actions, and templates in CorelDRAW and/or Adobe Illustrator/Creative Suite.
Strong understanding of PDF preflight, colour management, ICC profiling, file formats, and production-file requirements.
Proven ability to identify process problems, research solutions, and drive improvement from concept through to implementation and adoption.
Strong research capability proactively investigates tools, vendors, automation approaches, and emerging technologies. Brings options, not just problems.
Experience working cross-departmentally in environments where Sales, customer experience, and production priorities compete.
Ability to communicate complex technical matters simply to non-technical audiences and present data clearly to leadership
Experience in high-volume personalized branding, promotional products or multi-method production environments. - Advantegous

Responsibilities

Analyse production data across 11 departments and identify high-impact issues.
Track problems with data and drive improvements with measurable outcomes.
Lead cross-department collaboration between Production, IT, R&D and Sales.
Develop and implement automation approaches, macros, and templates.
Oversee testing, UAT, and sign-off before go-live; ensure documentation and training.
Drive continuous improvement and standardisation across branding methods.

Skills

Pre-press

Digital print

Reprographics

Automation macros

CorelDRAW

Adobe Illustrator

Tools

CorelDRAW

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Print Pulse and Artwork Systems Manager
Amrod
2026/10/02 Woodmead

Job Reference Number: AM-59
Department: I.T
Business Unit:
Industry: Manufacturing
Job Type: Permanent
Positions Available: 1
Salary: Market Related The Print Pulse and Artwork Systems Manager is responsible for implementing and optimising artwork and production systems across 11 production departments and 21 branding methods.

Job Description

Purpose of the Role

The Print Pulse and Artwork Systems Manager is responsible for implementing and optimising artwork and production systems across 11 production departments and 21 branding methods. The role identifies production-impacting artwork and file issues, research solutions, tests and implements improvements, and trains relevant teams on new processes, tools and workflows.
The incumbent acts as the link between Production, R&D, IT and Sales, ensuring business needs and priorities are translated into effective technical solutions. Simple process and workflow improvements are implemented directly, while complex automation requirements are documented and escalated for technical delivery. The role uses data and evidence to prioritise initiatives that deliver the greatest operational and production value.

Key Performance Areas

Data-driven problem identification and prioritisation

Analyse production data across all 11 departments: error rates, reject rates, optimised setup processes related to files and artwork, and throughput bottlenecks.
Track and quantify problems systematically through on-the-ground user experience observation.
Build a clear picture of where the biggest gains exist, backed by numbers, not manager sentiment or assumptions.
Identify the items creating the biggest problems and prioritise relentlessly on value: which fixes will yield the most return in reduced errors, better artwork quality, faster turnaround, and improved customer experience.
Maintain a living, data-backed view of opportunities ranked by business impact, effort, and dependencies.
Present evidence-based recommendations to Orlando, Omer, and the Product Owner on what should be tackled next and why.
Revisit priorities as data changes. Track whether delivered improvements moved the numbers.

Solution research and proposals for tech stack changes

For challenges requiring changes to the core automation infrastructure (Switch, PitStop, Callas, Atomyx), research possible technology solutions and develop clear proposals.
Evaluate options pragmatically: is this a process fix, a macro, a configuration change, or does it truly need the automation stack?
Develop proposals that articulate the business problem (with data), proposed solution, expected value, affected departments, and implementation considerations.
Log tickets in Jira with full enhancement requirements and recommended priority, with suggestions on how to solve the problem.
Take validated proposals to the Product Owner for joint assessment of technical approach and sequencing.
Evaluate emerging technologies, AI-assisted tools, and vendor offerings. Bring informed recommendations, not just ideas.
For Embroidery: identify improvements to workflow integration with outsource digitizing partners (turnaround, file specs, quality, exception handling).

Cross-departmental collaboration and adoption

Build strong working relationships with all 11 department managers across both shifts. Earn credibility through technical knowledge, data-backed insights, and delivered results.
Engage with the Layouts team (Aneshree & Taylia, reporting to Head of Sales) through regular feedback cadence and on-demand engagement when issues surface.
Work closely with the Print Pulse team and Production to ensure alignment and minimal disruption.
Ensure business readiness, training, process documentation, and operational handover are planned alongside every deployment.
Work with department managers to ensure adoption and compliance once solutions are deployed.
Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to different audiences: data and evidence for leadership, practical instructions for operators.
Coordinate with specialist vendors and partners (including embroidery digitizing outsource partners) on integration, performance, and deliverables.

Testing, UAT, and Quality Assurance

Develop and document test case scenarios prior to major builds.
Execute structured testing against these cases, track defects through to resolution, and provide formal sign-off only once all identified issues are resolved.
Accountable for conducting User Acceptance Testing (UAT) on all implemented solutions and providing formal sign-off prior to go-live.
Available for occasional Saturday deployments to validate system performance in the live environment.
Track whether delivered improvements (both direct implementations and tech stack changes) realize their intended benefits. Use data, not anecdote.
Review incidents and post-implementation outcomes. Prioritise corrective action and systemic prevention.

Continuous Improvement

Proactively challenge how work is done. Find practical enhancements.
Balance innovation with production quality and stability.
Maintain documentation for implemented solutions, workflow standards, and operational procedures.
Identify patterns across departments: problems that appear in one area often exist in others. Drive standardisation where it adds value.

Job Requirements

Minium Experience and Skills Required

5+ years' hands-on experience in pre-press, digital print production, reprographics, or artwork environments across multiple branding/print methods.
Demonstrated analytical capability: experience tracking production metrics, analyzing error data, identifying root causes, and using data to priorities action.
Intimate understanding of what "production ready" means across multiple branding methods: how file requirements, colour management, and constraints differ between screen, pad, digital, laser, sublimation, etc.
Practical ability to build and deploy macros, automation actions, and templates in CorelDRAW and/or Adobe Illustrator/Creative Suite.
Strong understanding of PDF preflight, colour management, ICC profiling, file formats, and production-file requirements.
Proven ability to identify process problems, research solutions, and drive improvement from concept through to implementation and adoption.
Strong research capability proactively investigates tools, vendors, automation approaches, and emerging technologies. Brings options, not just problems.
Experience working cross-departmentally in environments where Sales, customer experience, and production priorities compete.
Ability to communicate complex technical matters simply to non-technical audiences and present data clearly to leadership
Experience in high-volume personalized branding, promotional products or multi-method production environments. - Advantegous

Competencies

Analytical & Data-Driven

Uses production and error data to identify high-impact issues and support recommendations.

Printing-Domain Credibility

Demonstrates strong knowledge of branding methods, production requirements and file specifications.

Research & Curiosity

Proactively researches tools, technologies and improved ways of working.

Value-Based Prioritisation

Focuses on initiatives that deliver the greatest operational impact.

Hands-On Delivery

Implements process, macro and workflow improvements within scope.

Systems & Process Thinking