Vinyl Department Lead - Sign Manufacturing

Southwood Corporation•Rock Hill, SC

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vinyl Department Lead is responsible for leading daily operations in the vinyl production area of a sign manufacturing environment. This role oversees workflow, quality, team coordination, and production readiness to ensure vinyl graphics, printed materials, and related sign components are completed accurately, safely, and on schedule. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and able to balance speed, craftsmanship, and accountability in a fast-paced production setting.

Requirements

Proven production experience in sign manufacturing, vinyl graphics, wide-format print, or a related environment.
Ability to lead by example and keep work moving efficiently.
Experience in sign manufacturing, vinyl application, print production, graphics finishing, or a similar production environment.
Strong understanding of production workflow, job prioritization, and quality control.
Ability to read and interpret work orders, drawings, dimensions, and production files.
Working knowledge of vinyl materials, substrates, laminates, and application techniques.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate clearly with team members and cross-functional partners.
Experience with Adobe Illustrator or similar file-preparation software and using production tracking or ERP systems.

Nice To Haves

Prior leadership, lead, trainer, or team coordination experience preferred.
Familiarity with plotters, printers, laminators, and related production equipment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate daily workflow for the vinyl department to support production schedules and customer deadlines.
Assign work based on priority, complexity, and team capacity.
Review work orders, drawings, and art files to confirm jobs are production-ready before release.
Ensure accuracy of vinyl, print, ADA, and graphic elements prior to fabrication or installation.
Monitor department output, identify bottlenecks, and communicate risks or delays early.
Maintain high quality standards while reducing waste, rework, and remakes.
Support training, coaching, and cross-training of team members within the department.
Coordinate with project management, production, fabrication, paint, ADA, and installation teams to keep jobs moving.
Maintain organization of materials, tools, workstations, and work-in-progress inventory.
Verify accurate job tracking, time reporting, and material usage in company systems.
Help maintain equipment cleanliness and perform basic maintenance checks.
Promote a safe work environment and enforce proper PPE and safety procedures.