At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-volume print production and drive automation in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join one of the UK's premier commercial print manufacturers in Southend on Sea.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, private healthcare, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a cutting-edge facility embracing Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior print production leadership with technical expertise in modern press technology.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
This role represents the senior operational leadership position within one of the UK’s premier high-volume, on-demand commercial print manufacturing plants. Operating an advanced e-commerce web-to-print model, the facility processes thousands of individual jobs daily, ranging from short-run digital and large-format graphics to high-volume B1 lithographic runs.
The Production Director is tasked with maintaining industry leading SLAs while leading a multi-shift workforce of 200 staff across manufacturing, engineering, and logistics. The key objective for the role is to bridge the leadership gap between the business’ Strategic Operational Leadership and day to day Production Management that’s responsible for all Factory and Shop Floor manufacturing. As Production Director you will embrace and be a champion of “Industry 4.0” touchless workflow automation, driving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), minimising waste, and supporting continuing commercial growth.
Role Overview
The Production Director holds end-to-end responsibility for factory operations, production performance, quality engineering, and supply chain across digital, lithographic, and large-format print manufacturing capabilities. Operating at the intersection of print production and high-speed web-to-print software integration, your responsibility will cultivate a continuous improvement culture grounded in Lean Manufacturing and data-driven operational delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manufacturing Leadership & Production Performance Strategy
- Factory Oversight: Direct round-the-clock manufacturing across digital press suites, B1/B2 sheetfed litho departments, wide-format roll/flatbed areas, automated cutting/binding/finishing lines, and dispatch hubs.
- SLA & Capacity Management: Dynamically allocate press capacity and staff resources to reliably meet strict 12-to-48-hour turnarounds for e-commerce and trade clients without compromising product quality or shop-floor safety.
- Continuous Improvement: Spearhead site-wide Lean, 5S, and Six Sigma initiatives aimed at reducing press makeready times, optimising layout workflows, and lowering raw material scrap rates.
- CapEx & Technology Roadmap: Support the development of multi-year capital expenditure strategies, lead machinery vendor technical evaluations, support the negotiation of equipment acquisitions, and manage the commissioning of automated presses and post-press lines.
- Automation & Workflow Systems Integration
- Touchless Workflow Expansion: Collaborate with Software and Prepress Specialists to enhance automated imposition, dynamic batching, and API-driven job routing from front-end e-commerce platforms directly to CTP and press consoles.
- MIS / ERP Telematics: Ensure the performance of Management Information Systems (MIS) and Shop Floor Data Capture (SFDC) tools for real-time order tracking, precise job costing, and predictive maintenance scheduling.
- Robotics & Material Logistics: Oversee the adoption of automated material handling, inline finishing technologies, and courier dispatch API integrations to streamline order-to-ship cycles.
- People Leadership & Organisational Development
- Workforce Management: Directly lead and mentor production managers, shift supervisors, prepress managers, maintenance engineering, and continuous improvement specialists across a 200-person site.
- High-Performance Culture: Instil a culture of accountability, precision, and operational excellence across all manufacturing departments.
- Skills Frameworks: Help establish structured apprenticeship and cross-training programs to ensure operational resilience across all manufacturing departments.
- Quality, Safety & Environmental Standards
- Quality Assurance: Ensure strict compliance with ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 12647 (Colour Management & FOGRA standards), and ISO 14001 (Environmental) certifications.
- HSE Compliance: Enforce rigorous Health, Safety, and Environmental practices, maintaining zero-harm standards, proper machine guarding, COSHH chemical safety, and ergonomic best practices in line with all current UK legislation.
- Sustainability Leadership: Lead energy reduction, paper & substrate recycling, and sustainable ink/chemistry adoption to align with net-zero target pathways.
Candidate Qualifications & Experience
Experience 5+ years in senior print production leadership (e.g., Production Director, Senior Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Director, or Factory Manager) ideally within a combined digital, litho, and large-format manufacturing environment.
Core Competencies & Capabilities
- On-Demand Operational Agility: Ability to manage extreme daily job counts and fluctuating order volumes inherent to e-commerce print models.
- Data-Driven Leadership: Skilled in using real-time pressroom telemetry, OEE metrics, and waste-tracking dashboards to drive shift-level accountability.
- Decisive Crisis Management: Cool-headed approach to resolving high-pressure operational bottlenecks, press downtime, and critical supply chain disruptions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong communicator able to liaise effectively between senior executive, shopfloor management, software engineering, departmental heads and outside vendors & logistics partners.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): Optimisation of pressroom & finishing OEE metrics across litho, digital, and finishing assets.
- On-Time, In-Full (OTIF): Achievement of >98.5% OTIF across all despatch windows and SLA tiers.
- Touchless Processing Rate: Year-on-year increase in percentage of orders processed from web shop to press without manual intervention.
- Substrate & Ink Waste: Targeted reduction in paper spoil, setup waste, and chemistry usage.
- Safety & Audit Compliance: Zero Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) and full retention of ISO accreditations.
Production Director employer: Talent Rockit
Join an industry-leading print manufacturer that values innovation and teamwork, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions are recognised and rewarded. With excellent growth opportunities in the Midlands/South Yorkshire region, you will be part of a top-flight Commercial team dedicated to delivering complex print solutions, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Director
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Talent Rockit, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Talent Rockit specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Rockit
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Talent Rockit, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Talent Rockit value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
