Head of Production

About us

Tjarks and Tjarks has 30 years of experience in designing and producing brands that win at the retail shelf. Our clients trust us time and again, over decades, to lead them through the changing dynamics of the shopper world and to design packaging that ensures their brands are picked first. We deliver our 360 design to artwork philosophy efficiently, faithfully and accurately, across the globe. We create and produce as one seamless, joined-up team of experts, all under one roof.

The Role

We are now looking for an experienced Head of Production to join our growing team! You will be an expert in packaging artwork and print technologies, and be able to hit deadlines within an extremely fast-paced art studio. You will manage all aspects of the creative output to the artwork procedure and be able to advise on all production aspects. You will manage the technical artwork team, ensuring that all artworks are technically correct and print ready. You will be a senior member of the artwork team and will be relied upon for your judgement and experience in this arena. You will be involved with IT tasks and/or projects as required by the company and you will also be available for any day-to-day hands-on artwork responsibilities as required.

Responsibilities

• To manage the technical artwork mini team.
• To assist in recruiting new team members, be responsible for onboarding, training and developing, inspiring and motivating team members.
• Rearrange resources and workflow as appropriate to accommodate urgent priority jobs within mini-team and assist department heads with wider workflow.
• Understand all internal artwork procedures and standards.
• Understand and deliver on all client expectations.
• Attend press passes events as required by the client.
• Assess artwork creative procedures and continuously make recommendations for improvements.
• Run production meetings and advise on best practice for complicated artworks, brief artwork team, and make sure that all Project/Account Managers have received relevant information from clients.
• Assist with ensuring cost efficiency of artwork department.
• Liaise with Traffic Manager to establish deadlines for each job.
• Check usability of supplied client files such as artworks or images.
• Advise on complex designs to achieve best design/print results.
• Attend pre-production meetings for Brand Guidelines and complex designs.
• To manage the artwork checking and approval procedure to ensure that all artworks are print ready against approved designs, to ensure:

• Artworks are technically correct to supply as print ready artworks.
• The correct use of colours, cutters, layers on all jobs are in compliance with company working procedures and client expectation.
• Appropriate style-guide has been implemented correctly, including barcode guidelines and NWD guidelines.
• Ensure accuracy of proofs internally and externally. Ensure the execution and approval is followed.
• Get to know client brand guidelines, barcode guidelines and style guides, ensure barcodes follow the ALDI guidelines.

About you

• Extensive experience of relevant production experience in a fast-paced agency environment.
• 5+ years of managing a team of artworkers.
• Demonstrating an understanding of internal artwork procedures and standards, client artwork expectations, and the demands for executing a high turnover of artworks for a major retailer.
• Expert FMCG packaging experience.

Equal Opportunities - as a company, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of any characteristic as protected by law.

Data Protection – any information we receive as part of an enquiry about opportunities with Tjarks and Tjarks Design Ltd including personal contact details, CV and email address will be kept and used for recruitment purposes for a period of at least one year.