Senior Digital DTP Operator

SavageOne Pty Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

SavageOne Pty Ltd in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Senior Digital DTP Operator to deliver print-ready artwork for high-volume retail campaigns, ensuring accuracy, quality, and strict adherence to production workflows.

You will mentor junior team members, proactively resolve complex production challenges, and collaborate with Creative, Account Management, Retouching, Print Production and Studio teams to ensure on-time, on-brand delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience as a Digital DTP Operator in high-volume environments.
• Proven ability to produce complex retail/catalogue artwork.
• Strong knowledge of print production, colour management and pre-press.
• Experience with RMS or similar workflow systems.

Responsibilities

• Produce high-quality, print-ready artwork to briefs and specs.
• Translate concepts into production-ready layouts preserving brand integrity.
• Manage multiple projects with tight production deadlines.
• Conduct pre-flight checks and ensure retailer specifications compliance.
• Mentor junior DTP operators and support the studio team.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Mentoring junior staff

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or Print Production

Tools

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe After Effects

RMS workflow

Job description

About the job Senior Digital DTP Operator

Senior Digital DTP Operator

Location: Johannesburg
Work Model: On-site

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Digital DTP Operator to join our production team. This role is responsible for delivering technically accurate, print-ready artwork across high-volume retail campaigns while maintaining exceptional quality, efficiency, and compliance with production workflows.

The successful candidate will act as a senior technical resource within the studio, ensuring artwork is produced to the highest standards, mentoring junior team members where required, and proactively resolving complex production challenges before they impact delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Artwork Production

• Produce high-quality, technically accurate, print-ready artwork in accordance with creative briefs and production specifications.
• Translate creative concepts into production-ready layouts while maintaining brand consistency and design integrity.
• Deliver multiple projects simultaneously within strict production deadlines.
• Ensure all artwork complies with print, digital, and retailer specifications before release.

Technical Production

• Integrate and manage artwork efficiently through the RMS workflow into Adobe InDesign.
• Perform advanced pre-flight checks to ensure files meet all print and production requirements.
• Identify and resolve artwork, layout, typography, colour, image, and technical production issues.
• Ensure colour accuracy, image quality, bleed, trapping, and print specifications meet industry best practices.

Quality Assurance

• Conduct comprehensive quality control checks before artwork is released.
• Ensure all approval workflows and sign-off procedures within RMS are completed accurately.
• Minimise production errors, rework, and associated costs through meticulous attention to detail.
• Maintain version control and document management throughout the production lifecycle.

Workflow & Process Improvement

• Drive adherence to studio workflows, production standards, and best practices.
• Recommend improvements to processes that increase efficiency, consistency, and quality.
• Maintain organised backup records and archive all approved artwork within the RMS Guardbook.
• Provide guidance and technical support to junior DTP Operators and production team members.
• Collaborate closely with Creative, Account Management, Retouching, Print Production, and Studio teams to ensure seamless project delivery.
• Escalate production risks or technical issues proactively to management.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Graphic Design, Desktop Publishing, Print Production, or a related field.

Experience

• 5+ years' experience as a Digital DTP Operator within a high-volume retail, agency, catalogue, or print production environment.
• Demonstrated experience producing complex retail catalogues, promotional campaigns, POS material, and marketing collateral.
• Extensive experience managing artwork through structured production workflows.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud:
  • Adobe InDesign (Expert)
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
• Working knowledge of Adobe After Effects is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of Mac OS.
• Advanced knowledge of commercial print production, repro, colour management, pre-press, and print finishing processes.
• Experience working with workflow management systems such as RMS or similar production platforms.
• Strong understanding of PDF standards, packaging, pre-flighting, and file preparation.
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Strong technical and production knowledge
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Calm and effective under pressure
• Quality-focused with a continuous improvement mindset
• Collaborative team player with the ability to mentor and support colleagues

Success Measures

The successful candidate will consistently:

• Deliver accurate, production-ready artwork with minimal revisions.
• Maintain exceptional quality and compliance standards.
• Reduce production errors and rework.
• Support continuous improvement within the studio production environment.
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing creative production team.