Sr. Director, Production Management - In-store and Retail Environments

Company description

We're a team of makers and dreamers, turning strategic ideas into flawless retail executions. We collaborate closely with our clients to elevate the expected and embrace the new, the next, and the complex.

Nothing is impossible— If you can shop it, we can do it.

We’re looking for a Sr.
Director of Production Management with extensive experience managing the print production process for in-store and retail work to join our team!

In this role you will oversee the manufacturing and production of in-store and retail signage, displays, POS/POP, and similar materials. You will serve as the bridge between creative, manufacturing, and client teams to align across all phases of the production process. You will work closely with finance and procurement teams to ensure all assets are produced on time and under budget.

You will guide and mentor your team, ensuring they excel in both creative and technical aspects of their work. You will collaborate with other departments, leveraging your deep expertise in production, mechanical building, printing, and digital post operations to support cross-functional initiatives and drive strategic goals. Above all, you will own the vision and the direction of the production management team.

This role requires a blend of print production knowledge, project management, technical expertise, leadership acumen, and strategic thinking, all aimed at driving the success of the production design department and the organization.

PLEASE NOTE:
This is a hybrid role based out of our Cincinnati offices and will require onsite engagement an average of 3 days/week. All candidates should be commutable to the Cincinnati metro and willing to commit to a hybrid schedule.

• Lead initiatives to improve processes, developing tools and provide recommendations to enhance efficiency and the quality of client deliverables.
• Lead and manage the production of physical shopper, retail, and in-store marketing deliverables and assets from ideation through execution and compliance including providing guidance and direction for all manufacturing and print capabilities.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the team and the capability, aligning design output with broader company objectives and market trends.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, vendors, suppliers, and cross-functional leaders, ensuring alignment and collaboration across all teams.
• Partner closely with procurement and finance teams to estimate costs, schedule manufacturing, and ensure creative deliverables are produced on time and under budget.
• Own executional project requirements and production processes for complex or multiple businesses.
• Anticipate updates, manage expectations, and secure alignment from agency and client teams.
• Identify and clear barriers in the work and agency operations to facilitate growth.
• Facilitate communication, solutioning, and problem resolution between client teams and agency creative and manufacturing teams.
• Create production strategy that can adjust to evolving needs and trends within multiple client service models.
• Manage and oversee resource forecasting to deliver against agency plan including managing day-to-day staffing coverage.
• Host production-related meetings and provide production POV in client meetings, discussions, and presentations.
• Manage, mentor, and guide team members, providing constructive feedback and fostering professional growth.

• 10+ years of progressively-responsible professional experience leading print production work for in-store, retail, or shopper marketing design teams; prior experience within an advertising agency, in-house agency, or consultancy environment is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in graphic design, project management, or a related field preferred; experience may be substituted.
• Prior experience leading teams in the production and delivery of print-focused retail, in-store, or shopper deliverables.
• Prior experience partnering directly with clients to confidently present work, articulate rationale for approach in the context of both business and user needs, and resolve issues and concerns as they arise.
• Experience working with specialize project management and delivery tools like Smartsheets, Jira, etc.
• Deep understanding of the full print production process from concept to design to production.
• Knowledge of prepress, mechanical building, and the print production process including substrates, die lines, etc.
• Comfort operating with a high level of ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• A natural sense of urgency and an ability to work quickly, efficiently, and accurately within tight deadlines and constantly-evolving project parameters, scope, and goals.
• Flexible and adaptable with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple concurrent projects.
• Highly collaborative but independently capable.

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