As a global marketing experience company, Quad’s goal is to help our clients win every day. We use our data-driven integrated marketing and manufacturing platform to streamline solutions for our clients, reduce friction and enhance their marketing spend effectiveness. We’ve built a rich legacy by believing in our people, allowing them to act like owners and to take charge of their own success. Whether an operator, sales rep, a graphic artist or a clinician, we’re all driven to perform at our best— for ourselves and our clients. At our core, we’re a company that believes we can always create a better way.

General Purpose of Job

The Production Manager oversees all facets of production, including reviewing engineering drawings and specifications, estimating costs, sourcing materials, procurement, and executing permanent displays and signage. This role is crucial for fostering and enhancing relationships with vendor partners, internal team members, and clients, while ensuring projects are completed with high quality, competitive pricing, and timely delivery within budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect project requirements and oversee all production aspects for the client, coordinating with vendors on delivery schedules and keeping project statuses updated.
• Enter all project specifications and relevant data into the internal system, maintaining key data points such as customer quotes, purchase orders, and invoices.
• Execute projects within contract-specified timelines, adhering to budget requirements and quality standards.
• Collaborate with vendors on the design and sampling of new displays, signage, or fixtures.
• Coordinate sample production and approval processes.
• Assist in sourcing new and alternative products or reliable vendors.
• Partner with vendors to negotiate optimal pricing, lead times, and terms.
• Evaluate spending and seek ways to improve and enhance the quality of purchased products.
• Maintain and manage vendor relationships to foster improved quality and service, including resolving issues and exploring cost reduction or efficiency improvement options.
• Build relationships and communication channels with internal clients to ensure smooth workflow and handoffs.
• Develop a knowledge base of suppliers.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve customer satisfaction.
• Review supplier quality performance, recommend improvements, or discontinue relationships if necessary.
• Act as a liaison between internal and external stakeholders, agencies, and suppliers to ensure quality and timely delivery within budget.
• Execute production efficiently following established business processes.
• Provide high-quality customer service, keeping internal clients informed with relevant status updates.
• Draft instruction sheets and collaborate with the design team for final layouts.
• Escalate production issues to management immediately.
• Manage a variety of complex and diverse product offerings from start to finish, including installation.
• Approve supplier samples, pre-production materials, finished parts packaging materials, and processes.
• Create pre-production units for approval by the customer, sales, and department manager as needed.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred

Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in producing permanent and semi-permanent retail displays.
• Experience in client communication and problem-solving with a solution-oriented approach.
• Proven success in purchasing within a manufacturing, client, or agency setting.
• Experience in procuring retail permanent displays, signage, lighting, textiles, plastic, wood, and steel construction.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to read blueprints and some construction experience.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and diligent.
• Highly organized, customer-focused, and a problem solver.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technology in a professional setting.
• Capable of working independently with a strong drive to achieve goals and succeed.
• Skilled in vendor negotiations and project management.