Production Manager

CJK Group, Inc.•Chattanooga, TN

7d•Remote

About The Position

The Production Manager, Direct Mail, plays a crucial role in overseeing the end-to-end execution of direct mail campaigns, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely delivery. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in print and direct mail production, excellent project management skills, a keen understanding of billing and reporting, advanced technological skillset, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, external suppliers, and customers. This is a remote position with a 10% travel requirement.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in print production, specializing in the development, management, and optimization of direct mail programs.
Proficiency with digital collaboration and productivity tools, particularly Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.
Experience with high frequency low volume programs and co-mingle mail services.
Experience purchasing in a manufacturing, client, or agency setting, with expertise in negotiating job costs and schedules with external suppliers.
In-depth knowledge of print production processes, including pre-press, printing, and finishing.
Proficient in fundamental direct mail principles, such as list selection, data strategy, effective creative, and A/B testing.
Experience with postal optimization, with a solid understanding of USPS promotions, incentive programs, and payment processes.
Familiarity with postal regulations and data privacy laws.
Proven ability to quickly grasp and apply new technologies.
Ability to analyze data, interpret insights, and provide data-driven recommendations, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Strong project management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
Strong Billing & Financial acumen with experience with summary billing mechanisms.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, external suppliers, and customers.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Experience with commercial or publication printing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee the end-to-end execution of direct mail campaigns, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely delivery.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, external suppliers, and customers.
Update and maintain the project management database with all necessary data points for programs.
Define objectives for upcoming campaigns while validating production requirements and timelines.
Provide recommendations on production methods and distribution strategies to improve campaign performance and reduce costs.
Review proofs for upcoming drops and ensure files and data are trafficking to the corresponding vendors for set up.
Interface with external suppliers, review ongoing projects, and address concerns or challenges.
Define production and distribution strategies for upcoming campaigns, gathering multiple supplier bids, negotiating pricing, and analyzing distribution methods.
Reconcile mail program postage statements and ensure costs are reflected in the database.
Input required data into print management software to generate customer reports and supplier purchase orders.
Approve supplier invoices and issue customer invoices, ensuring all charges are accurate and authorized.
Provide clients with necessary reports for their accounting teams' allocation of spend.
Review campaign performance data and provide critical reporting to leadership and customer stakeholders.
Prepare reminders and emails for next week’s file and mailing due dates.