Production Manager (Digital Printing)

Job Description:This role leads the Digital Printing and Automated Finishing operation at the Dagenham site, with end-to-end accountability for digital print, UV varnishing, lamination, and Smart Stacker automation.The Production Manager will drive operational excellence, combining people leadership, process optimisation, and technology-led manufacturing to deliver high-quality, on-time, cost-effective production at scale. The role plays a critical part in supporting business growth through automation, waste reduction, quality improvement, and continuous improvement.Key AccountabilitiesOperational Leadership & Manufacturing Excellence· Lead and manage all aspects of Digital Printing, UV Varnishing, Lamination, and Smart Stacker automated finishing.· Ensure production plans are delivered safely, efficiently, and to agreed OTIF, quality, and cost targets.· Own day-to-day production performance, capacity planning, and workflow optimisation across the digital print value stream.· Drive a high-performance culture focused on quality, pace, accountability, and continuous improvement.· Act as a key contributor to site-wide production strategy and peak planning.People Management & Workforce Planning· Build, lead, and develop a team of Operators who are flexible, multi-skilled, and quality driven.· Attend daily production stand-up meetings to review performance, risks, and priorities.· Deliver structured performance reviews, appraisals, and KPI’s aligned to business objectives.· Manage attendance, timekeeping, and shift compliance.· Design and maintain effective shift patterns and production workflows.· Plan and manage temporary labour requirements in advance of peak periods.Training, Skills & Capability Development· Oversee role-specific induction training for digital print and automated finishing.· Drive cross-skilling and multi-machine capability across digital print, varnish, lamination, and automation.· Work collaboratively with other Production Managers to support cross-departmental skills coverage.· Define, control, and audit machine training standards to ensure only trained and authorised staff operate equipment.Quality, Efficiency & Continuous Improvement· Embed a customer-centric quality culture across print, UV, Lamination and Smart Stacker.· Ensure all production meets or exceeds company KPIs for quality, productivity, waste, and cost.· Analyse quality data from customer feedback and internal metrics, leading corrective and preventative actions.· Champion lean manufacturing principles, driving waste reduction and efficiency improvements.· Ensure production areas and equipment are maintained to high standards of 5S, cleanliness, and safety.· Own preventative and corrective maintenance routines (daily / weekly / monthly).· Monitor, analyse, and reduce downtime across all digital and automated equipment.· Lead waste analysis across production and suppliers, implementing measurable improvement actions.· Plan and schedule work to ensure downstream processes meet customer delivery date and time requirements.· Use data to drive informed decisions on capacity, performance, and improvement priorities.Skills & Experience· Strong experience in Digital Printing within a fast-paced production environment· Proven leadership experience managing production teams and shift patterns· Experience with automated finishing or production automation· Strong understanding of quality systems, waste reduction, and lean manufacturing· Confident using production systems (e.g. Site Flow, ERP/MRP systems)· Excellent planning, prioritisation, and decision-making skills· Experience with UV varnishing, lamination, or Smart Stacker / automated finishing systemsPersonal Attributes· Strong communicator with the ability to engage teams at all levels· Calm, decisive, and confident under pressure· Highly organised and deadline-driven· Hands-on leadership style with a continuous improvement mindset· Positive, proactive, and solutions-focused approachSalary- £45k-£50kHours- Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm