Director of Digital Print Operations

Fanatics Collectibles•Allen, TX

9h•Onsite

About The Position

Fanatics Collectibles is seeking a Director of Digital Production to own and lead the digital print workflow end-to-end at their Allen, TX manufacturing operation. This is a build-and-run role focused on scaling a digital print workflow that currently anchors on on-card production and will expand to include high-end turnkey production and Topps Now (a fast-turn product tied to live sports moments). The role requires a hands-on leader with deep print and digital production expertise, capable of building a function, setting standards, staffing and developing a team, and managing a demanding production schedule while ensuring quality, speed, security, and reliability. The Director will report to the leader of Allen operations and collaborate closely with Pre-Press, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Project Management teams. Key responsibilities include ensuring safety and security of the production floor and handling of sensitive assets, owning and scaling the digital print workflow, setting and holding production schedules and throughput targets, establishing quality standards and inspection processes, developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), planning across functions for material and capacity needs, building and developing the digital production team, managing equipment uptime, and tracking production metrics for continuous improvement.

Requirements

8+ years in print production, manufacturing, or digital print operations, including 3+ years leading teams.
Hands-on expertise in digital printing, prepress, and color management in a high-volume production environment.
Track record of building or scaling a production function, including process design, staffing, and standard operating procedures.
Proven ability to hold a demanding production schedule and hit throughput and quality targets at the same time.
Strong operational leadership: hiring, developing, and holding a team accountable across multiple shifts.
Comfort working across Pre-Press, Quality, Supply Chain, and Project Management to solve problems that cross functions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with trading cards, collectibles, or other high-mix, short-run production.
Familiarity with on-card printing, foil, and premium finishing processes.
Experience standing up fast-turn or print-on-demand production tied to time-sensitive demand.
Working knowledge of ERP and production scheduling systems.

Responsibilities

Own safety and security. Ensure the digital production floor meets safety and product security standards, and that physical and digital asset handling (pre-release card imagery, licensed IP) meets Fanatics' security and confidentiality requirements.
Own the workflow. Run the Allen digital production workflow end to end, from print-ready files through finished, inspected cards.
Scale the operation. Lead on-card production as the anchor program, then build the process and capacity to add high-end turnkey production and Topps Now. Partner with Allen operations leadership to shape the 1-3 year capacity and capability roadmap for digital production, informing where new equipment, shifts, or facility investment is needed next.
Hold the schedule. Set and hold daily production schedules, capacity plans, and throughput targets across shifts.
Stand up Topps Now. Build fast-turn, time-sensitive print-on-demand production tied to live sports moments, with the process discipline to hit tight windows without giving up quality.
Own quality. Define and enforce quality standards for digital output and build inspection and QC processes that catch defects before cards ship.
Set the standard. Author and maintain SOPs and work instructions for digital production that other Allen functions (Pre-Press, Quality, Manufacturing) rely on as the workflow scales to new product lines.
Plan across functions. Partner with Project Management, Supply Chain, and the Sunnyvale manufacturing team on print run sizing, material planning, and street-date sequencing so digital capacity matches demand.
Build the team. Hire, develop, and lead the Allen digital production team, and design the org and shift structure to support growth.
Develop the talent pipeline. Own performance management, career development, and succession planning for the digital production team; provide input on compensation and promotion decisions in partnership with HR.
Manage the equipment. Own machine uptime and coordinate with Maintenance and vendors on readiness, maintenance, and new installs.
Report and improve. Track production metrics (volume, yield, defect rate, lead time) and drive continuous improvement against clear targets.