Production Manager - Printing & Converting Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Production Operations Manager – Printing & Manufacturing

Location: Northern New Jersey
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Are you a proven manufacturing leader with experience managing high-volume printing, paper converting, newspaper printing, packaging, or related production operations?

A growing and well-established manufacturing company is seeking a Production Operations Manager to lead daily plant operations, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and develop high-performing production teams. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity with significant impact on productivity, quality, safety, and overall operational performance.

What You'll Do

Production Leadership

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing and production operations in a fast-paced printing and converting environment.
• Drive improvements in production efficiency, throughput, uptime, quality, and delivery performance.
• Oversee print production activities, ensuring consistent quality, accurate registration, and efficient press performance.
• Reduce waste, improve yields, and optimize setup and changeover processes.
• Partner closely with maintenance, quality, prepress, finishing, and production teams to maximize workflow efficiency.
• Monitor key performance metrics including downtime, throughput, scrap, labor utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures and best practices.
• Utilize root-cause analysis and data-driven decision making to solve production challenges.
• Partner with maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability and preventive maintenance programs.
• Drive cost reduction, waste elimination, and operational excellence projects.

Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, operators, and production personnel.
• Build a culture focused on accountability, teamwork, safety, and performance.
• Support training initiatives related to equipment operation, troubleshooting, quality standards, and manufacturing best practices.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and manufacturing regulations.
• Conduct safety audits and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Promote a proactive safety culture throughout the facility.

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 5+ years of production, operations, or manufacturing management experience.
• Strong background in printing, newspaper printing, commercial printing, paper converting, packaging, labels, corrugated, or related manufacturing environments.
• Proven success improving production performance, quality, efficiency, and workforce engagement.
• Experience leading continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of color quality standards, print production processes, web handling, tension control, and production troubleshooting.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a strong plus.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.

Why Join?

• High-impact leadership role with strong visibility and influence.
• Opportunity to drive meaningful operational improvements.
• Collaborative and team-oriented culture.
• Stable, growing manufacturing organization.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and long-term career growth potential.