Production Manager / Factory Manager

Our client, a leading company within the large-format printing and visual communications sector, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Production/Factory Manager to take full accountability for manufacturing operations, production performance, quality standards, and operational efficiency.

This is a senior leadership role suited to an individual who thrives on the factory floor, possesses strong technical printing knowledge, and can effectively lead teams while ensuring production targets, quality standards, and customer expectations are consistently achieved.

The opportunity
Reporting into the operations team and forming part of the senior management structure, the successful candidate will be responsible for the end-to-end management of production operations, including screen printing, digital printing, finishing, DTP, despatch, and workflow management.

This role requires a visible leader who can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution while driving continuous improvement across the business.

Key responsibilities

Production and workflow management

• Manage daily, weekly, and monthly production schedules.
• Drive on-time delivery and production efficiency across all departments.
• Allocate work effectively across screen printing, digital printing, and finishing operations.
• Monitor production performance and proactively address bottlenecks.
• Lead daily production meetings and ensure workflow alignment.

Team leadership

• Lead and develop factory supervisors, DTP, despatch, and Ticketing teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Manage performance, coaching, training, and workforce development.
• Coordinate staffing requirements, overtime, and resource allocation.

Technical production oversight

• Oversee screen printing, digital printing, colour management, finishing, and quality assurance processes.
• Ensure accurate file preparation, RIP workflows, and production specifications.
• Manage first-off approvals and quality checkpoints throughout production.
• Resolve technical production and print quality challenges.

Operational excellence

• Drive lean manufacturing principles and process improvement initiatives.
• Ensure accurate production reporting and system compliance.
• Monitor production KPIs and identify opportunities for efficiency gains.
• Champion workflow optimisation and digital transformation initiatives.

Maintenance, safety and compliance

• Oversee preventative maintenance programmes and equipment performance.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.
• Manage safe handling of inks, solvents, and production materials.
• Conduct safety audits and implement corrective actions where required.

Requirements

Experience

• 8–12 years' experience within a printing, manufacturing, or production environment.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior production leadership role.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary production teams.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience within both screen printing and large-format digital printing environments.
• Experience managing production teams of 15 or more employees.

Technical skills

• Strong knowledge of screen printing processes, including coating, exposure, ink mixing, registration, and curing.
• Experience within large-format digital print environments.
• Working knowledge of RIP software and colour management systems.
• Experience with production MIS or ERP systems, optimus experience will be advantageous.
• Understanding of finishing processes including cutting, laminating, mounting, and packaging.
• Sound understanding of manufacturing health and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in production management, industrial engineering, printing technology, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent industry experience and proven competence will be considered.

Personal attributes

• Strong leadership presence and credibility on the factory floor.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Solutions-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong commercial awareness and operational acumen.

Posted on 02 Jun 08:40, Closing date 31 Jul