Gelia, a top 10 B2B marketing communications agency in the United States, is seeking an experienced Production Manager to join our Buffalo, NY office. Gelia works across the marketing continuum to drive measurable, lasting results for regional, national, and global clients. Since 1961, we have built our reputation by developing a deep understanding of our clients' businesses and delivering smart, customer-focused marketing programs. This role is built for an experienced production professional with a strong foundation in print and direct mail. The ideal candidate understands print production well enough to evaluate specifications, review proofs, conduct press checks, oversee finishing and personalization, and manage complex print and mail programs from planning through delivery. However, the work will extend well beyond traditional print and direct mail. This person will also manage a diverse mix of projects that may include promotional merchandise, dimensional mail, trade show materials, event production, signage, displays, packaging, fulfillment programs, and other emerging marketing formats. We are looking for someone who enjoys solving problems and figuring out how to make ambitious ideas work. The right candidate will be resourceful, curious, detail-oriented, and comfortable navigating projects that may not have an established production playbook. This person should be able to identify the right resources, ask the right questions, evaluate options, anticipate potential issues, and develop practical solutions that meet the client's objectives, schedule, and budget. The Production Manager will collaborate with client service, creative, project management, accounting, vendors, and other internal and external partners to turn creative concepts into well-executed deliverables. Success in this position requires strong communication, sound judgment, technical production knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects without losing sight of the details. Here's who you are: You have five or more years of experience managing print, direct mail, or integrated marketing production projects. You possess strong working knowledge of commercial printing, including paper and substrates, printing methods, color reproduction, proofs, press checks, bindery, finishing, personalization, and fulfillment. You can independently conduct press checks, evaluate production quality, identify potential issues, and make informed decisions on behalf of the agency and its clients. You have experience managing complex direct mail programs involving data, variable content, personalization, postal requirements, lettershop production, fulfillment, and delivery. You are comfortable applying your production knowledge to projects beyond print, including promotional merchandise, trade show materials, displays, signage, event elements, packaging, and other custom deliverables. You are a natural problem solver who can research unfamiliar production methods, identify qualified partners, evaluate new technologies, and determine how to successfully execute new or emerging project formats. You can independently manage multiple complex projects with competing deadlines, budgets, vendors, and stakeholders. You have strong project management, planning, estimating, analytical, and organizational skills. You are resourceful and proactive, with the ability to anticipate issues and recommend solutions before they affect a project. You have exceptional attention to detail and strong proofreading and quality-control skills. You communicate clearly and professionally with clients, internal teams, suppliers, and production partners. You work well both independently and as part of a collaborative team. You understand basic USPS postal regulations and direct mail best practices. You are proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Here's what you get to do: Partner with client service, creative, project management, and other internal teams to define project scope, specifications, schedules, budgets, and production requirements. Manage print and direct mail projects from initial planning and estimating through production, quality control, fulfillment, mailing, and final delivery. Develop accurate production estimates, timelines, specifications, and schedules. Evaluate production approaches and recommend materials, processes, vendors, and solutions that balance creative goals, quality, timing, and cost. Review artwork, proofs, data instructions, samples, and production specifications for accuracy and manufacturability. Conduct press checks, lettershop checks, live approvals, and other quality-control reviews to ensure work meets agency and client expectations. Manage complex data-driven and variable-content programs, including data instructions, list acquisition, data processing, list cleaning, quality control, personalization, postal preparation, and mailing. Manage projects beyond traditional print and mail, including promotional merchandise, dimensional pieces, trade show materials, event production, displays, signage, packaging, fulfillment kits, and custom marketing materials. Research unfamiliar production methods and emerging formats, identify appropriate partners, and build an effective plan for bringing new ideas to life. Source, evaluate, negotiate with, and manage outside vendors and production partners. Anticipate production challenges, troubleshoot issues, and develop practical solutions that protect project quality, schedules, and budgets. Monitor all work in progress, communicate project status, and ensure deadlines and delivery requirements are met. Manage production-related administrative responsibilities, including purchase orders, postage funding, invoices, reconciliations, and cost tracking. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, clients, vendors, and other production partners. For confidential consideration, please forward your resume to Jay Irving, AVP of Human Resources. Gelia is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, or any other status protected by applicable law. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merits, and business needs.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location:

In person