Operations Manager - North West - £Excellent Package

We are looking for a key Operations Manager to oversee all production teams within a location and at times across multiple locations. The successful candidate leads Production teams to develop and/or adapt processes, policies, and workflows to improve efficiency, accuracy, speed, etc. Ensures the delivery of high quality Production services and solutions, partnering with Project Coordination team as needed.

• Attends any client meeting (e.g. pre production) and/or interacts with clients directly as necessary.
• Ensures high quality standards in all Production client deliverables.
• Works closely with project team, and client contacts as needed, to ensure Production deliverables follow project specifications and meet client needs.
• Maintains a good understanding of market and competitors' graphic art identity for assigned clients and communicates to/shares with project team.
• Develops knowledge base for client categories and keeps team up to speed on consumer insights, trends, etc. Leverage knowledge to strengthen client relationships.

• Develops sound and effective Production solutions to issues that impact a department or client.
• Proactively leads the development of improved processes to better serve clients and achieve financial targets.
• Follows up with direct reports and project coordinators to ensure jobs are on target for established hours and deadlines and adhering to company policies and procedures.
• Manages the respective portion(s) of the operating budget. Ensure budget targets are met or efficiency expectations are surpassed where possible.
• Creates strong and effective internal partnerships with Brand Development and Brand Deployment teams to ensure client needs are met and projects stay within scope, budget, timeline, quality and other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Maintains and utilizes a long term, holistic view of the business.
• Communicates timely, relevant information to employees, as appropriate, so they understand company performance, business direction and initiatives, and how they contribute to and benefit from the Company's success.
• Is an inspiring role model through presence and actions.
• Takes ownership of personal actions and outcomes and encourages and empowers others to do the same.
• Drives change; demonstrates adaptability and fosters an environment that encourages open mindedness and flexibility in the face of ambiguity and change.
• Focuses own and the team's efforts on achieving SMART objectives aligned to the Company's Strategic Imperatives; acknowledges employees' efforts and rewards results.
• Sets high and clearly defined standards for direct reports; provides current, objective, and complete positive and constructive feedback and addresses performance concerns directly, fairly, and in a timely manner.
• Provides specific, objective feedback to direct reports through written performance reviews as part of the Global Performance Management program.
• Creates strong and effective internal partnerships and collaborates across the Company; listens and values the opinions of others.
• Is an effective team member; supports the team by pitching in at any level and effectively working across the organization to meet the needs of the business.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to increase knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Monitors and pursues upward and lateral growth opportunities to enhance expertise and drive career development.

• Supports Company's profitability efforts by encouraging and actively enabling innovation through Production activities.
• Supports Company's profitability efforts by ensuring own team focuses on the efficient, accurate and timely completion of the assigned Production activities.

• May perform other duties, as needed, to meet the needs of the business.

• Secondary School (e.g. High School) Diploma, General Education Degree (GED), or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the key accountabilities of the job.
• College degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts) or equivalent degree within appropriate discipline such as Marketing, Advertising, Graphic Arts, Interior Design or other related fields such as fine arts or fashion preferred.

• Proven experience successfully managing brand production teams within a print, pre press, or graphics manufacturing environment.

• Significant knowledge of The Company's products, solutions and services.
• Significant understanding of the market and business environment that affects the assigned clients.
• Significant understanding of effective Pre media, Print Services, Photo Studio and/or Digital production, processes, roles, tools (digital and conventional) and workflow practices and trends.
• Significant understanding of the assigned clients' products and services.
• Significant knowledge of Pre media and/or Creative Services and solutions.
• Significant presentation and communication skills (written, verbal).
• Significant people, organizational, and analytical skills (including attention to detail).
• Proficient Computer Software (SW) Skills:
  • Apple Mac equipment and operating systems
  • Overall Business SW (e.g. MS Office Suite)
  • Specific Functional SW (e.g. Abode Design Suite, Acrobat plus QuarkXpress; Project Management Software; Agile; or others; etc.)
• Proven ability to lead, mentor and manage other managers, supervisors, and/or individual contributors.
• Ability to lead and adapt to the requirements of various client accounts.
• Ability to interpret concept and/or brand guidelines through to artwork execution.
• Ability to develop and maintain a collaborative relationship with peers and colleagues in one or more areas of the organization.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal clients and/or external clients (e.g. printers, product manufacturers, service providers, and/or clients).
• Ability to work well in a team environment, to handle a heavy workload, to prioritize work, and to meet assigned deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to work effectively with people of all levels.