Job Summary:

The Print Production Planner is responsible for scheduling all active printing, finishing, and direct mail jobs, while simultaneously managing the purchasing and inventory of necessary materials. This role ensures optimal workflow efficiency, prevents equipment downtime, and ensures that client mailings meet strict USPS drop dates.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Scheduling:

Develop, maintain, and optimize daily production schedules for digital presses, offset presses, bindery, and lettershop operations. Balance capacity constraints across equipment and personnel to maximize daily throughput. Adjust schedules dynamically to accommodate rush orders, machine maintenance, or material delays.

Purchasing & Sourcing:

Issue purchase orders for raw materials including paper stock, envelopes, ink, plates, and packaging supplies. Source and negotiate pricing with paper merchants, trade binderies, and outside mail-processing vendors. Track incoming shipments to ensure all materials arrive before their scheduled production runs.

Inventory Management:

Monitor stock levels of recurring inventory items (e.g., standard envelope sizes, house paper stocks). Conduct regular physical inventory counts and reconcile variances in the shop's print management software (MIS).

Communication & Logistics:

Act as the central liaison between Sales, Customer Service, Production, and Shipping. Verify that direct mail campaigns comply with layout specifications to ensure smooth processing through high-speed inserters and sorting equipment.

Qualifications:

3+ years of experience in scheduling, purchasing, or project management within a commercial printing or direct mail environment. Deep knowledge of paper substrates, weights, finishes, and commercial printing processes (offset, digital, and wide-format). Familiarity with direct mail operations, lettershop equipment, and USPS mailing requirements is highly preferred. Proficiency with Print Management Information Systems (MIS) or ERP software.

Pay:

From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person