Print Finishing Manager in Cramlington

We are Printed.com, one of the largest and fastest growing on-line print shops in the UK. We are filled to the brim with a passionate team who are mad about printing, designing, building and growing the business. In the office you’ll find that we are forward-thinking, with a mission to be creative, innovative and to help our customers. We are constantly investing in new products and using technology to improve how we increase our market share and take advantage of new opportunities. Catch us in our production space and you will find a fast-paced, dedicated team who endeavour to reach perfection for our customers. We’re a growing company with offices in London and Newcastle, looking for employees that are equal parts dynamic and enthusiastic. People brimming over with new, original ideas that they just can’t wait to share with their team and bring to life.

The Print Finishing Manager is responsible for all post-press operations, ensuring high-quality finished products and an efficient workflow across the finishing department. This role leads a team, manages equipment and scheduling, and ensures strong standards of quality, safety, and operational compliance while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Finishing Operations Management: Oversee all finishing processes including cutting, creasing, folding, laminating, trimming, binding, and die-cutting. Ensure finished products meet or exceed customer specifications and internal quality standards.
• Production Planning & Workflow: Develop, manage, and optimise production schedules to meet deadlines and service levels. Allocate resources and coordinate with production teams for seamless job flow.
• Workforce & Shift Leadership: Plan and schedule staff shifts to ensure adequate coverage and efficient resource use. Manage staff breaks, holidays, and overtime in accordance with business needs and labour policies. Delegate tasks to ensure balanced workload and timely job completion.
• Quality Control: Implement and enforce quality assurance procedures throughout the finishing process. Monitor output to maintain accuracy, consistency, and high production standards.
• Equipment & Inventory Control: Oversee routine maintenance, repair, and safe operation of finishing equipment. Monitor stock levels, consumables, and material usage to prevent shortages and minimise waste.
• Staff Training, Development & Performance: Train and develop finishing team members to build technical capability and performance. Conduct performance reviews and address disciplinary matters when required. Foster a positive, supportive, and collaborative team culture.
• Cross-Department Coordination: Collaborate closely with prepress, print production, dispatch, and customer service teams to resolve issues and maintain smooth operations.
• Reporting & Communication: Provide regular updates on production performance, challenges, and improvements to the Head of Production. Support planning and strategic discussions for operational improvements.
• Contribution to Key Business Indicators: On-Time Delivery Percentage, Production productivity, Machine Uptime and Downtime Tracking, Waste and reprint Percentage, Stock system accuracy, Customer Returns and Quality Complaints attributable to finishing.
• Health & Safety: Ensure full compliance with workplace health and safety legislation and internal company policies. Promote safe equipment use and working practices. Enforce correct PPE use and ensure staff are trained in safe handling of tools, chemicals, substrates, and equipment. Maintain a clean, organised, and hazard-free working environment in line with 5S and safety housekeeping standards. Lead and document incident reporting, accident investigations, near-miss reviews, and follow-up corrective actions. Monitor compliance with manual handling practices and assist in generating ergonomic improvement initiatives. Work with the Health & Safety Officer (or equivalent) to continually review and update safety procedures.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance quality. Apply lean principles and support 5S and process-improvement initiatives. Review and recommend new technology or equipment upgrades where beneficial.
• Compliance & Documentation: Maintain accurate production, maintenance, and quality records. Ensure compliance with SOPs, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Support audit activity and continuous compliance monitoring.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Technical & Operational: Strong knowledge of finishing equipment and processes (e.g. guillotines, laminators, stitchers, folders, die-cutters). Ability to interpret production schedules, job tickets, and quality specifications. Mechanical aptitude with problem-solving capability for equipment issues.
• Leadership & People Management: Experience managing teams in a print or manufacturing environment. Strong communication, coaching, and delegation skills. Ability to inspire and develop staff while maintaining strong team morale.
• Planning & Analytical Skills: Excellent organisational and scheduling skills. Skilled in process optimisation and effective time management. Logical and analytical approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Health & Safety & Compliance: Knowledge of safe machine operation and workplace safety practices. Experience with SOPs, compliance procedures, and documentation.
• Technology & Systems: Basic IT literacy (Microsoft Office and production systems). Familiarity with reporting tools such as Power BI.

Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience in a print finishing management role. Training or experience in lean manufacturing or 5S methodologies (preferred).

Benefits: 22 days holiday plus 8 days bank holidays, staff discounts & friends and family discounts, cycle to work scheme and tech scheme, breakfast and drinks provided, charity day per annum supported, summer and Christmas parties, street food days, Perkbox membership, enhanced maternity & paternity leave, employee referral scheme.