Position Summary

The Director of Print Operations is responsible for the leadership and coordination of Packrite's technical print operations, including CAD/Structural Engineering, Graphics/Prepress, Color Management, and Printing Press operations. This position ensures seamless execution from structural engineering through graphic preparation and printed production while maintaining the highest standards of print quality, color accuracy, manufacturing efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The role develops standardized processes, maintains applicable print certifications, and drives continuous improvement across all technical print functions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the CAD/Structural Engineering, Graphics/Prepress, Color Management, and Printing departments.
• Ensure effective coordination between engineering, prepress, scheduling, quality, maintenance, and manufacturing.
• Establish standardized workflows from customer artwork through printed sheets.
• Drive operational performance through safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct the daily activities of the CAD, Graphics, and Printing departments.
• Manage department supervisors and team members through coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Maintain all applicable GMI and G7® certifications and ensure ongoing compliance with industry color standards.
• Oversee color management systems, press calibration, ICC profiles, and print process control.
• Coordinate compliance audits, documentation, recertification activities, and employee training.
• Ensure graphics files are production-ready and meet customer and manufacturing requirements.
• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Scheduling, Quality, and Operations to deliver customer expectations.
• Monitor and improve print quality, first-pass yield, color consistency, waste, and productivity.
• Partner with Maintenance to maximize printing equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, standardized work, SMED, and root cause analysis.
• Recommend capital equipment investments.
• Establish department KPIs and communicate performance through daily and weekly management reviews.
• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, ISO, SQF, OSHA regulations, and quality systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly oversees the CAD/Structural Engineering, Graphics/Prepress, and Printing departments.
• Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, evaluating performance, disciplinary actions, and succession planning.
• Builds a culture of accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in printing, folding carton, or commercial print manufacturing.
• Experience managing technical teams in graphics, prepress, or structural engineering is preferred.
• Working knowledge of GMI, G7®, color management systems, and offset lithographic printing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• CAD and structural packaging engineering workflow
• Graphics and prepress processes
• Offset lithographic printing
• G7® methodology and color management
• Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing
• Print quality systems and process control
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Leadership, communication, coaching, and problem-solving
• ERP and Microsoft Office applications

Performance Measures

• Maintenance of applicable G7 certifications
• First-pass yield
• Color consistency and Delta E performance
• Artwork and prepress accuracy
• Printing OEE and productivity
• Waste reduction
• On-time schedule attainment
• Customer quality performance
• Employee engagement and development

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing environment with frequent exposure to production equipment, inks, coatings, and noise.
• Frequent walking and standing throughout the facility.
• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Availability to support production outside normal business hours as needed.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. Management reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as business needs change.