Pre-Press & Print Production Lead — Lean Excellence

To manage, directly, the pre-press and print production areas, covering Lithographic printing processes. To ensure that the department achieves the Production plan and is effective and efficient with regard to labour, material usages and other budgetary cost constraints. To achieve budgeted machine performance efficiencies as a minimum, striving for continual improvements in machine efficiency, waste reduction, product quality and customer service levels.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day to day advice to Shift Leaders on people management and technical issues when required.
• Set, achieve and improve targets in key performance indicators such as waste, machine efficiency, customer service, quality, hygiene and health & safety.
• Develop the process capability in line with changing technology and utilise the Lean Programme to ensure its effectiveness.
• Develop employees both individually and as teams and ensure effective day-to-day management of people.
• Improve customer service and reduce customer complaints.
• Assist and oversee new equipment trials, from development to implementation and resolve any associated issues.
• Co-ordinate, direct and support the activities of the departmental supervisors to meet production needs.
• Set departmental objectives and monitor performance accordingly.
• Identify recruitment and development needs.
• Handle discipline and grievance issues.
• Create and develop a team-working environment.
• Support department supervisors in achieving weekly targets in respect of production output, work in progress, service levels and machine efficiencies.
• Manage within departmental budgets set and identify opportunities for cost reductions in areas such as overtime, labour, consumables, maintenance and waste, utilising the Lean Programme to ensure effectiveness.
• Ensure work loading is planned to the correct machines in order to produce economically and efficiently in accordance with customer and company quality standards including ISO quality, H&S and environmental standards.
• Be proactive in developing solutions to operational issues, when required.
• Identify quality issues and recommend adjustments or resolutions in order to rectify any issues.
• Support Engagement, succession & Training & Development.
• To continually improve the culture and attitudes towards Health & Safety, ensuring compliance with all Health & Safety requirements and to hold people accountable for their own actions and behaviours.
• Ensure that all H&S checks and audit actions are carried out in a timely manner.
• Regularly monitor and report on machine efficiencies for Management analysis, identify trends and make recommendations in order to prevent or control any occurring issues.
• Assist in organising the workplace to achieve high standards of housekeeping and report any defects, hazards or issues to the relevant dept and assist with day-to-day operations within the Dept as and when required.
• Ensure regular and effective communication within and from all areas of production to achieve common business aims.
• Provide regular performance statistics/reports as directed.
• Liaise with customers as and when required with off site visits to be expected.
• Maintain and update effective training schedules to maximise the skills base of all department employees.
• Liaise with the appropriate depts in order to coordinate the training required.
• Utilise various training mechanisms as part of the ongoing training schedule.
• Provide technical support to all members of the department as and when required.
• Ensure compliance with all existing systems, standards and procedures within all areas to satisfy both company and customer requirements – ISO, hygiene, health & safety.
• Identify opportunities for improving systems of work and successfully implement.
• Control waste effectively.
• Drive through and support the introduction of new systems and changes within the areas, to meet with new company directives, legislation and standards.
• Direct and manage technical innovation and introduction.
• To continually improve manufacturing efficiencies in the Pre-Press and Print areas, reducing costs and achieving all key operational performance objectives.
• Ensure monthly team briefs are held.

This Job Framework is not exhaustive, and the jobholder is expected to carry out other duties and tasks as deemed appropriate to the role of Print Manager or to any other employee at a similar level within the Company compliance to ISO9001, ISO45001 and ISO14001 Standards, relevant legislation and compliance obligations through adherence to training and work instructions.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Constantly strive to reduce downtime to agreed levels.
• Meet and maintain customer requirements in terms of quality and output.
• Compliance with the company’s quality standards (PS9000, ISO9001 and BRC/IoP).
• Adherence to the company’s health safety & environment standards (HASAWA Act).
• Maintain a good overall condition of work area through routine maintenance.
• Accurate & efficient control of components including filing and good housekeeping practices.
• KPI performance in Make Ready, Run, Downtime and STTF (sheets to the floor).
• Budget Cost Saving.
• Department housekeeping improvement – 5s continuous.
• Training attendance.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• MANAGEMENT: Print Department.
• SUPERVISORY: Manager.
• BUDGETARY: None.
• HEALTH & SAFETY: Managerial.
• CUSTOMERS: Internal & External.
• 3RD PARTIES: Auditors as required.

SKILLS/QUALS

• Knowledge of Large Format Lithographic Printing Presses.
• Professionally trained in management disciplines and understanding of modern tools and techniques.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic approach with strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Project management.
• Knowledge and understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of IQC, Colour Cert or equivalent.
• Fingerprint press knowledge.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and technical issues with printing equipment and ensure compliance with safety and other standards.
• Implement and maintain quality control measures to ensure high-quality outputs that meet customer specifications.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of BRC, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment – FMCG preferred.
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Computer literate, able to operate Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook/Email.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Workload to achieve targeted KPI’s.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvements to machinery and/or employees.
• Hiring, mentoring and coaching production staff and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Project management, budgeting and team leadership.
• Proven experience in technical leadership and innovation management.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Sense of urgency.
• Energy and drive.
• High standards, compliance mentality.
• Analytical thinking.
• Results focused.
• Positive attitude and commitment.
• Ability to apply good practice and common sense in a people management environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to influence others and generate new ideas.
• Effective problem-solving and decision making.
• Forward thinking, innovative and able to see the ‘bigger picture’.