Manufacturing Manager

Position Summary:

Sheridan, A CJK Group Company, leader in magazines, catalogs & marketing printing and services has an immediate opening for a highly motivated and accomplished Manufacturing Manager for our Random Lake, WI production facility, reporting to the Vice President of Operations. In this role you will oversee plant production activities including Press, Bindery and Operations teams in a manufacturing facility of 125 employees with a strong focus on Printing Press processes and technologies. You will ensure the team safely delivers the highest quality output on time, efficiently and at the best cost structure. This facility plays a key role in our manufacturing network by contributing significantly to our business earnings. The successful candidate will distinguish his/herself from other applicants with their leadership and engagement experience and continuous improvement mindset and knowledge.

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Key Responsibilities:

Pressroom & Printing Management:

• Manage day-to-day operations of the pressroom, ensuring all printing processes meet productivity, quality, and safety standards.

• Supervise the setup, maintenance, and operation of printing equipment to ensure on-time delivery of customer orders with minimal downtime.

• Troubleshoot production issues, monitor job quality, and resolve operational bottlenecks to maintain smooth workflow and prevent delays.

Lean & Continuous Improvement (LCI):

• Drive Lean initiatives across the printing and manufacturing process to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and increase overall efficiency.

• Implement Continuous Improvement (CI) strategies, including Kaizen events, root cause analysis, 5S, and value stream mapping, to optimize workflows and drive cost-saving initiatives.

• Utilize Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other tools to monitor process variation, identify areas for improvement, and enhance product quality.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Provide leadership, coaching, and training to facility supervisors and operators to ensure adherence to operational standards, quality requirements, and safety procedures.

• Foster an engaging culture of respect, accountability and collaboration, mentoring employees and supporting the Sheridan Academy in developing career paths and leadership across the site.

• Manage performance reviews, offer constructive feedback, and ensure team development in line with company goals.

Production Planning & Scheduling:

• Oversee production schedules and job assignments to ensure that customer deadlines are met, with a focus on balancing capacity, quality, and cost control.

• Collaborate with the sales and planning teams to ensure effective communication of customer expectations and production requirements.

Quality Assurance & Customer Satisfaction:

• Ensure the highest level of product quality, meeting both internal specifications and customer expectations. Take responsibility for monitoring and improving print quality, color consistency, and finish quality, and establish metrics and KPI's as needed.

• Act as the point of contact for customer complaints or concerns related to print quality or production delays and work proactively to resolve issues and maintain strong customer relationships.

Safety, Compliance, and Equipment Maintenance:

• Promote a safe working environment by ensuring adherence to safety protocols, and working in partnership with corporate and site safety team members, ensures that safety training, practices and compliance objectives are met.

• Oversee preventative maintenance schedules for printing equipment, ensuring that all machinery is well-maintained and functioning efficiently to avoid production disruptions.

Cost Control & Budget Management:

• Develop and manage assigned department budgets, ensuring all production activities stay within budgetary constraints while optimizing resource usage and minimizing waste.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities through process optimization, supplier negotiations, and resource management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Account Management and Customer Service, Sales, HR, Safety Supply Chain, to ensure communication and alignment of production schedules, materials, and customer specifications.

• Promote collaboration across departments to drive continuous improvement and meet company-wide objectives.

Job Knowledge & Skills:

Experience & Education:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a managerial or supervisory role within the printing industry, with direct experience managing pressroom operations.

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (such as Printing Technology, Engineering, or Manufacturing Supply Chain) is strongly preferred.

• Strong leadership abilities, with proven experience in team management, performance coaching, and creating a high-performance culture.

• Expertise in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies, with a track record of implementing process improvements.

• Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC) and using data analytics to make informed decisions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues quickly and develop efficient solutions under pressure.

• Experience in managing quality assurance processes to ensure high standards of print quality and consistency.

• Knowledge of safety regulations and industry best practices, with the ability to enforce compliance and maintain a safe working environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, control costs, and make strategic decisions that impact both operational efficiency and financial performance.

• A results-driven mindset, focused on continuous process improvement, cost control, and exceeding customer expectations.

CJK Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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