Manager, Print Production

About Athena 

Athena is a marketing consultancy where great ideas take flight. With a blend of strategic thinking, creative vision, and hands-on execution, we partner with organizations looking to transform their presence, reputation, and performance. For over ten years, we’ve delivered business insights, marketing strategies, and brand activations for leading organizations in industries ranging from telecommunications to major league sports. 

Our people make Athena, Athena. They’re what help set us apart from traditional ad agencies and consultancies. As a 2023 Philadelphia Inquirer Top Workplace, we take pride in fostering a work environment where passion meets excellence. Our people are solutions-oriented individuals who eagerly roll up their sleeves to make work that works while sharing a couple of laughs along the way.  

About the Position 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Print Production Manager to join our dynamic creative team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the seamless execution, planning and project management of the print production process. The successful candidate will bring a wealth of expertise in print production and project management.

Requirements

What you’ll be responsible for: 

• Leading and managing a team to oversee the production of marketing materials and printed products.
• Creating and executing intricate master schedules for advertising and collateral materials.
• Ensuring the team meets crucial production deadlines and targets.
• Providing leadership and project management support to the team.
• Supervising printers to guarantee high-quality, cost-efficient, and timely production.
• Enhancing the team's understanding of cost analysis, campaign setup, and quality standards.
• Collaborating with vendors to enhance production processes and explore innovative solutions for marketing materials.
• Developing specifications for new components with vendors and negotiating competitive pricing.
• Monitoring and managing mock-ups, prototypes, electronic templates, and printer proofs with vendors.
• Addressing supply chain issues and implementing effective solutions in coordination with account teams.
• Collaborating with finance for budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing actual product costs versus proposed costs.
• Conducting vendor and technology assessments to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Working with the team and vendors to devise packaging, fulfillment, and postal solutions, including cost analysis.

The skills and experience you should have: 

• Proficiency in the print production process, particularly for 4-color publications.
• Understanding of papers, printing processes, and various printing techniques.
• Demonstrated leadership, team management, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical and computer proficiency.
• Keen attention to detail, accuracy, and adherence to deadlines.
• Effective communication with supervisors to keep them informed.
• Capability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects from conception to production across various media.
• Adaptability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Flexibility in scheduling to accommodate deadline-driven work.
• Stay updated with current design and advertising trends and methodologies.
• Possession of a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in various media.

It's a plus if you have:

• High school diploma or equivalent with eight years of experience, or a Bachelor's degree with five years of experience.
• 5+ years of experience in marketing, agency, publishing, print management, or supply chain management.

If you are a creative professional with a proven track record in print production management we invite you to apply and contribute to our innovative and dynamic creative team. 

Benefits

• Medical/Dental benefits including of 1K Health Reimbursement Account
• Matching 401K
• Generous PTO policy
• Substantial Parental Leave Policy
• Hybrid Work Environment

Curious about your career path at Athena? This role is within a rapidly growing creative department and the right candidate can excel, produce great work, and have an immediate impact on Athena’s creative product culture and growth.

Oh, and our application process is open, easy, as transparent as we can make it, and painless. We need team members like you to join us! Let’s get started.

Athena is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at 866.299.6040.