Shop Lead / Second-in-Command (Production & Operations)

About Wimberley Printing Company:

We are a fast-growing, high-quality commercial print and custom manufacturing shop. We handle a diverse range of specialty production work, from precision wide-format graphics to high-end digital printing and advanced, custom hardcover book binding. We take immense pride in our craftsmanship, our community reputation, and our clean, organized production environment.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a reliable, highly skilled, and self-driven Shop Lead / Second-in-Command to act as the primary right hand to the business owner. This is not a passive, button-pushing role. You will co-pilot our daily production floor, managing complex setups, running premium digital and wide-format presses, and executing advanced bindery and finishing workflows from start to finish. The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, a background in prepress/print production, and the maturity to keep the shop running smoothly, safely, and on schedule independently.

Key Responsibilities:

Digital & Wide-Format Press Operation:

Setup, calibrate, operate, and maintain Ricoh digital production presses and Mimaki Eco-Solvent CJV wide-format printer/cutters . Perform essential daily maintenance to ensure flawless output.

Prepress & Layout Optimization:

Manage prepress file verification, ensuring proper impositions, resolutions, bleeds, margins, and cut lines are dialed in correctly before jobs hit production.

Advanced Bindery & Finishing:

Run and oversee multi-step finishing workflows including perfect binding, custom hardcover book assembly, paper drilling, booklet making, stapling, and precision cutting.

Floor Coordination & Efficiency:

Monitor production schedules to hit hard customer deadlines under pressure. Troubleshoot mechanical or software issues logically before escalation.

Logistics & Material Handling:

Safely pack, wrap, and stage large product runs, including managing heavy freight shipments and material organization.

Qualifications & Skills:

Experience:

3-5 years of hands-on experience in a commercial print shop environment across digital press, wide-format print/cut systems, or complex bindery work.

Technical Instincts:

Strong logical instincts for machine mechanics, preventative maintenance, and physical production layout adjustments.

Punctuality & Drive:

A rock-solid attendance record. In a tightly integrated shop, showing up on time and ready to produce is critical.

Undivided Focus:

Dedication to keeping personal media devices away from active production machinery to maintain absolute floor safety and prevent alignment errors.

Communication:

Sharp, professional communication skills. Ability to clearly articulate production status. Being bilingual is a significant asset.

Benefits & Perks:

Competitive pay ($22.00-$28.00/hour) based on independent technical capabilities and prepress experience. Opportunities for performance-based bonuses as the shop hits efficiency targets. Clean, welcoming, climate-controlled local shop environment. Direct, transparent collaboration with the business owner with real operational autonomy.

Pay:

$22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

On-the-job training Paid time off Application Question(s): How many years of commercial print shop experience (Digital press, wide-format, or bindery) do you currently have? Are you comfortable operating or troubleshooting Mimaki or Ricoh printing equipment? This role requires high focus around heavy machinery and adherence to a personal device-free production floor policy during active runs. Are you comfortable with this work environment?

Work Location:

In person