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The senior production & packaging manager leads all agency print production, flexographic packaging execution and trade show production. This role is responsible for estimating, scheduling and delivering physical production projects on time and within budget. Working across all agency disciplines, this position seeks out, negotiates and maintains strategic relationships with external suppliers to secure the highest quality and price outcomes for our clients. As our primary production & packaging manager, this individual collaborates with internal teams and external suppliers to manage complex packaging databases and ongoing packaging updates. This position serves in a supervisory capacity, providing ongoing coaching, mentoring and operational direction to production specialists, coordinators and administrative personnel within the production discipline to ensure flawless execution across all physical deliverables.
This person could be located in the Kansas City, MO or Columbia, MO, office area.
Duties and Responsibilities: Overall Workflow & Management
Oversee daily production workflows across multiple print, packaging and trade show projects.
Participates actively in kickoff meetings, internal reviews and weekly project status meetings.
Proactively identify schedule risks or technical issues and communicate solutions directly with the project team.
Estimate production scopes and assist with pricing development based on account briefings and creative specifications.
Obtain 2-3 competitive quotes on outside buys from a vetted network of quality vendors.
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, keeping comprehensive references on supplier capabilities, pricing, quality standards and turnaround times.
Manage timelines, oversee delivery schedules and sign off on incoming supplier shipments.
Review invoices, resolve billing discrepancies and collaborate with account service and Revenue & Diversification team to ensure accurate billings and markups on large production jobs.
Work directly with the creative team to ensure the highest quality and craft execution on every job.
Packaging and Print Production Management
Review, route and approve printer proofs, attending on-site press checks when necessary.
Partner directly with the studio to review, check and verify technical production specifications.
Review and approve packaging templates, ensuring all mechanical artwork is thoroughly proofread prior to release.
Audit packaging and print production files for prepress readiness, verifying that designs are printable, color separations are set up correctly, traps/bleeds are accurate and brand consistency is maintained across substrates.
Reviews publication resizes according to approved media plans
Manage, route and release final packaging assets to packaging printers and converters.
Directly supervises assigned production, specialist, coordinator and administrative personnel within the production discipline. Leadership responsibilities include:
Expectation Setting:
Direct staff orientation, technical training and daily work assignments across direct reports.
Departmental Oversight: Manage out-of-office requests, policy enforcement and hiring criteria for supervised roles.
Regular Communication: Conduct consistent one-on-ones, provide philosophy guidance, handle conflict resolution and offer ongoing technical coaching and mentorship.
Employee Enrichment: Lead goal setting, annual performance reviews and continuous feedback loops for team members.
Knowledge/Skills
Advanced computer skills relevant to daily print production management, packaging database routing and financial tracking.
Exceptional attention to detail, radical personal accountability, strong work ethic and strategic problem-solving abilities
Passion for the production industry with a drive to continuously evaluate new tools, prepress techniques and sustainable materials.
Full familiarity with client products, regulatory packaging guidelines and retail environments to effectively fulfill production needs.
High-level collaboration skills to align multiple agency disciplines around seamless physical executions.
Leader Behaviors:
How leaders act on a daily basis as they seek to implement the company’s vision and strategic priorities, strive to fulfill the brand promise and live up to the values. Everyone can be a leader.
Open-minded and active listener
Continually grows people and business
Truthful and transparent
Decisive and accountable
Forward-thinking
Proactive and communicates in a positive manner.
Education/Experience/Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts Technology Management, Print Media, Packaging Science, Communications or a related field
5+ years of hands-on experience leading print production and consumer packaged goods packaging execution. Deep expertise in commercial prepress and flexographic printing process required.
Woodruff’s Perks That Support Growth and Flexibility:
We offer a range of benefits designed to support your work-life balance and empower you to stay creative, curious and courageous:
Flexible work setup - choose hybrid work, or join us in our Kansas City or Columbia, MO, offices
"Freedom Fridays" - no meetings on Friday mornings/Friday afternoons to use as you see fit
Diverse, meaningful work - contribute to projects across a wide range of industries
Collaborative, growth-focused culture - work with a supportive team that helps you build new skills
And more - from wellness support to peer recognition, we value and invest in our people.
