Job description
Join Aurora Press & Design, a premier printer delivering high-quality offset and digital printing for brands across New York City. We are seeking a Print Production Manager who blends strategic leadership with hands-on production excellence to drive on-time delivery, quality, and profitability.
What you'll do: oversee color-managed production, optimize workflows, and collaborate with sales, design, and operations to turn client briefs into flawless printed pieces.
We offer a dynamic, collaborative environment, competitive compensation, and opportunities for career growth in a rapidly evolving print landscape.
Responsibility
- Lead daily print production across offset and digital presses, finishing equipment, and mailing/bindery tools to meet production targets.
- Develop and manage production schedules, capacity planning, and resource allocation to optimize throughput.
- Maintain strict color accuracy through ICC profiles, proofing, and on-press adjustments; ensure consistency across jobs.
- Manage vendor relationships, materials procurement, and budget adherence to maximize profitability.
- Implement and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and quality control measures.
- Lead and mentor a team of press operators, bindery staff, and finishers; conduct performance reviews and training.
- Collaborate with sales and design teams to review specs, estimate timelines, and communicate changes to clients.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean principles and production analytics to reduce waste and downtime.
Qualification
- Bachelor's or technical degree in Print Technology, Graphic Communications, or a related field (or 5+ years of progressive printing leadership experience).
- 5+ years in diversified print production (offset and digital), with hands-on pressroom and finishing knowledge.
- Strong proficiency with color management tools and workflows (ICC profiles, spectrophotometers, proofing standards).
- Experience with printing equipment such as Heidelberg, Komori, HP Indigo, or Canon/Oce; strong preventive maintenance mindset.
- Solid budgeting, vendor negotiations, and cost-control abilities with a track record of improving margins.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills; comfortable presenting to clients and internal teams.
- Proficiency with print management software (ERP/MIS) and workflow automation; basic data analytics skills a plus.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and flexibility to work occasional overtime or weekend shifts as needed.