Print Manager

The Role: We are looking for a hands-on Print Manager to build and lead CookUnity's new in-house printed materials function at our Brooklyn facility. This role will own the commissioning, ramp-up, and daily performance of our integrated Domino digital inkjet, Nilpeter material-handling, and Precision folding and gluing equipment while building the team, standards, and operating discipline required to scale. This is not a role for someone who only wants to supervise from a desk. The right leader knows print production deeply, can troubleshoot alongside operators, and is equally energized by developing people, creating repeatable processes, and improving quality and throughput. You will partner closely with Packaging, Automation, Operations, Engineering, Facilities, Food Safety & Quality, Brand, Menu, and our equipment partners to turn this investment into a state-of-the-art print operation. This is a rare opportunity to build a new capability within a high-growth company and define what excellence looks like from day one. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Brooklyn, NY. Flexibility across shifts will be required during commissioning, ramp-up, and other critical operating periods.

Responsibilities: Lead the installation, commissioning, acceptance testing, start-up, and production ramp of CookUnity's integrated Domino, Nilpeter, and Precision print and finishing line. Own daily print operations end to end, including production planning, job setup, prepress and file readiness, material staging, make-ready, printing, folding and gluing, quality release, and handoff to downstream operations. Build the function from the ground up, including team structure, hiring, onboarding, shift coverage, skills matrices, training and certification, standard work, and a culture of accountability. Remain close to the equipment by coaching operators on setup and changeovers, diagnosing print and converting issues, and leading structured troubleshooting when performance falls short. Establish rigorous controls for artwork versions, job recipes, variable data, barcodes and QR codes, registration, print density, adhesion, folding, gluing, and finished-sleeve quality. Create and own operating KPIs, including safety, uptime/OEE, throughput, schedule attainment, yield, waste, rework, changeover time, maintenance performance, and cost per sleeve. Develop preventive and autonomous maintenance routines, maintain critical spare-parts and consumables strategies, and coordinate vendor service, escalation, and warranty support. Partner with Packaging and suppliers to qualify paperboard, coatings, inks, adhesives, and other consumables while balancing print quality, runnability, food-packaging requirements, availability, and cost. Partner with Brand, Menu, Culinary, Packaging, and Technology teams to translate a high volume of changing content into accurate, production-ready print jobs. Own the safe operation of the line and work area, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout, UV-ink and chemical handling, ventilation requirements, housekeeping, training, and compliance with CookUnity standards and applicable regulations. Manage the operating budget and inventory for inks, flush, adhesives, paperboard, spare parts, tooling, and other print-room supplies. Build a continuous-improvement roadmap that increases capacity, quality, reliability, and labor efficiency while helping CookUnity determine how the print capability should expand over time.

Requirements: 5+ years of progressive experience in commercial printing, folding-carton production, packaging print, or a comparable high-volume print environment.2+ years of experience leading print operators, technicians, or a production team, with a track record of developing people and improving performance. Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting digital inkjet, flexographic, offset, or hybrid print equipment. Direct experience with high-speed web handling and converting equipment is strongly valued. Working knowledge of prepress and digital print workflows, including PDFs, RIPs, job setup, color and density control, variable data, barcode and QR-code quality, and artwork version management. Strong understanding of print defects, registration, substrate behavior, ink adhesion and curing, folding and gluing quality, and structured root-cause problem-solving. Demonstrated ability to build SOPs, preventive-maintenance routines, training programs, production dashboards, and disciplined shift handoffs. Mechanical aptitude and comfort partnering with electrical, controls, facilities, and vendor technicians to diagnose equipment and process failures. Strong production-planning and prioritization skills in a fast-changing, deadline-driven environment with many SKUs and short runs. Clear, practical communication skills and the ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Packaging, Quality, Brand, Technology, and external suppliers. A strong commitment to safety, quality, and data-driven continuous improvement. Ability to work on-site and flex across production schedules during commissioning, ramp-up, and critical operating periods. Ability to perform the essential physical requirements of a production environment, with or without reasonable accommodation, including standing for extended periods and safely handling production materials and supplies.

Preferred Qualifications: Direct operating or technical experience with Domino digital inkjet systems, Nilpeter platforms, Precision folder/gluers, or closely comparable equipment. Experience commissioning a new press or converting line, launching a print room, or materially scaling an existing print operation. Experience with folding cartons, paperboard sleeves, food or consumer packaging, and high-SKU, short-run production. Familiarity with OEE, CMMS, Lean manufacturing, 5S, standard work, and structured problem-solving methods. Experience with automated inspection, vision systems, barcode verification, or print-management and production-workflow software. Technical or trade-school training in graphic communications, printing technology, manufacturing, engineering technology, or a related field.

What Success Looks Like: The new line is commissioned safely and ramps to stable, repeatable production against agreed quality, throughput, and cost targets. CookUnity has a capable, cross-trained print team with clear ownership, certification standards, and reliable coverage across required shifts. Artwork, job setup, production, quality release, maintenance, and escalation processes are documented, measurable, and consistently followed. Uptime, yield, changeover time, waste, and cost per sleeve improve through a visible, data-driven continuous-improvement cadence. The print function becomes a dependable strategic capability for CookUnity—not simply a piece of equipment.

Benefits: Health insurance coverage 401(k) plan We grow, you grow: Stock Options Plan granted on Day 1Eligibility for a biannual performance bonus