Engineering Project/Process Manager (Print, Packaging and Prepress Technologies)

RR Donnelley•Chicago, IL

About The Position

RRD is seeking an experienced Engineering Project/Process Manager to lead, standardize, and innovate printing, packaging, and prepress equipment and workflows, as well as enterprise color management strategy. The role coordinates complex technical projects across multiple business units to integrate technology, standardize print processes, and maintain high-quality color management across print operations. The position manages vendor relationships and capital asset projects, including technical evaluations, equipment and software specifications, procurement, and implementation. It partners with Operations, IT, Quality Assurance, and Procurement to align technical investments with business objectives. The manager leads prepress and color management projects, workflow upgrades, system migrations, and technology rollouts while minimizing disruption to operations, and develops and optimizes prepress automation. The role also develops technical and operational expertise across flexographic, digital, and offset technologies, imaging devices, and CTP systems. It establishes print process standards and enterprise color management specifications, performs color assessment and custom color/ICC profile data modeling, and supports consistent color reproduction across substrates, output devices, and locations. The manager oversees and optimizes prepress systems centered on Kodak Prinergy and Esko workflow environments.

Requirements

At least 5 years of related experience.
Proven experience managing complex cross-departmental technical projects, software upgrades, and multi-site implementations.
Experience evaluating, negotiating, and managing third-party vendor contracts and capital equipment procurement.
Ability to manage capital projects involving employees, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers, both remotely and onsite.
Ability to manage estimating, capability analysis, and implementation of equipment additions and improvements.
Ability to develop, use, and update complex spreadsheets and project management tools for asset and replacement-plan tracking.
Ability to create models and testing protocols for evaluating equipment technologies.
Proven ability to build relationships and network within and outside the company to respond to manufacturing needs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Process, or Mechanical Engineering, or a degree related to Manufacturing Management.
Advanced proficiency with the Kodak Prinergy workflow environment.
Hands-on experience building and maintaining automated workflows using Kodak Rules-Based Automation (RBA) and Enfocus Switch.
Expertise in enterprise color management, color measurement devices, spectral data analysis, ICC profiling, press characterization, raster imaging processing, and standards such as G7, ISO 12647, and FIRST.
Strong operational knowledge of flexographic and offset print processes, plate-making technologies, and proofing hardware and software.

Responsibilities

Manage vendor relationships for printing, packaging, and prepress equipment, facilities, lighting, and related areas.
Lead technical evaluations, specifications, and delivery of capital equipment and software purchases.
Partner with Operations, IT, Quality Assurance, and Procurement to align technical investments with business objectives.
Lead end-to-end planning and implementation of technical prepress and color management projects across multiple business units.
Manage workflow upgrades, system migrations, and enterprise-wide technology rollouts while minimizing operational disruption.
Develop, maintain, and optimize prepress automation.
Develop and maintain technical knowledge and operational expertise in flexographic, digital, and offset technologies, imaging devices, and CTP systems.
Lead print process standardization across digital, proofing, flexographic, and offset printing operations.
Establish and maintain enterprise-wide color management specifications, standards, and guidelines.
Perform digital, proofing, and offset press color assessment and custom color/ICC profile data modeling.
Ensure consistent color reproduction across substrates, output devices, and geographical locations.
Oversee and optimize prepress systems centered on Kodak Prinergy and Esko workflow environments.
Execute capital projects by managing employees, equipment manufacturers, and other suppliers remotely and onsite.
Manage estimating, capability analysis, and implementation of equipment additions and improvements.
Develop, use, and update complex spreadsheets and project management tools to track assets, capabilities, condition, age, and replacement plans across the worldwide manufacturing platform.
Create detailed models and testing protocols to compare new equipment technologies and support asset selection.
Develop relationships through networking inside and outside the company to respond rapidly to manufacturing needs.

Benefits

Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Paid time off
Disability insurance
401(k) with company match
Life insurance
Voluntary supplemental insurance coverages
Parental leave
Adoption assistance
Tuition assistance
Employer and partner discounts
Potential participation in a bonus, commission, or incentive program, depending on the role