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Graphics & Prepress Manager - Flexo & Digital

We are seeking an experienced Graphics & Prepress Manager to lead and support the prepress department within a growing flexographic and digital printing operation. This role will oversee flexo and HP digital prepress workflows, flexo plate production, proofing, color standards, and department process improvements.

This position works closely with sales, customer service, production, quality, vendors, and customers to ensure accurate proofs, efficient plate production, strong communication, and high-quality finished products.

Job Summary:

• Lead the daily operations of the graphics and prepress department
• Oversee flexo and HP digital prepress workflows
• Manage flexo plate production and proofing processes
• Support job engineering for new and existing customer projects
• Work cross-functionally with sales, production, customer service, quality, IT, vendors, and customers
• Improve department workflows, technology, processes, and overall efficiency
• Ensure all artwork, proofs, plates, and production specifications meet customer and quality requirements
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the prepress and graphics department

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Direct the production of flexo prepress, HP digital prepress, proofs, and flexo printing plates
• Work with clients, sales, customer service, product development, and production managers on new job engineering
• Coordinate between departments to ensure customer requirements are met according to art and production specifications
• Assist with scheduling, delegation, and follow-up of daily graphics and prepress projects
• Assist with prepress quotes and monitor graphic billables
• Research and develop new graphics systems, workflows, software, hardware, plate materials, and process improvements
• Partner with prepress, production, IT, quality, and vendors to test and verify new software, hardware, workflows, and plate materials
• Establish performance standards for new graphics and plate-making processes
• Recommend, plan, and schedule implementation of new hardware, software, and flexo plating technology improvements
• Stay current on industry color standards, proofing systems, and color verification options
• Assist with resolving print, plate, color, or graphics-related issues
• Support quality improvements related to artwork, proofing, plating, and print production
• Maintain department SOPs, training materials, records, and process documentation
• Assist with department staffing, training, coaching, and performance management
• Coordinate customer and in-house press approvals
• Maintain clear communication of project details, client records, and production requirements
• Track and maintain department statistics, reporting, and performance metrics
• Complete annual employee performance reviews
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, food safety, GMP, quality, and safety policies and procedures

Qualifications:

• Expert knowledge of flexo plate-making equipment and flexo plate material technologies
• Working knowledge of ESKO flexo prepress workflows and software
• Press-side experience with flexo printing processes for labels and flexible packaging
• Intermediate experience with HP digital workflows and printing
• Intermediate knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams
• Minimum of seven years of flexo job engineering experience
• Five to ten years of supervisory or managerial experience
• Experience leading new prepress, flexo plate, software, and hardware implementations
• Industry certifications or comparable training/experience with GRACoL, G7, and/or FIRST preferred
• Six Sigma certification or continuous improvement experience preferred
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred
• Strong internal and external customer relations skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to lead, supervise, train, and manage employees
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong communication skills across departments, customers, and vendors
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet production deadlines
• Ability to identify process gaps and implement workflow improvements
• Strong attention to detail, color accuracy, and quality standards

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Must be able to lift 25 to 60 pounds as needed
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to distinguish subtle shades of color accurately
• Must have eyesight, corrected or uncorrected, sufficient to distinguish hairlines, registration, and color accuracy
• Must be able to read orders, labels, reports, job tickets, and warning signs
• Must be able to reach above 50 inches in height and 40 inches in depth
• Must be able to work occasional long or irregular hours as needed
• Must be comfortable working in a production and manufacturing environmen