Printing & Packaging Technical Operations Manager
Position Summary
The Printing & Packaging Technical Operations Manager is responsible for leading the technical, operational, and production activities of printing and packaging operations. The role ensures efficient production, consistent product quality, equipment reliability, cost control, and compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
The manager works closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to optimize manufacturing performance and deliver packaging products according to customer specifications, quality standards, and production schedules.
Key Responsibilities
Production & Operations
- Manage day-to-day printing and packaging production operations.
- Plan and monitor production activities to achieve output, quality, cost, and delivery targets.
- Optimize production processes, machine utilization, labor productivity, and material consumption.
- Monitor production KPIs, including OEE, output, waste, downtime, efficiency, and on-time delivery.
- Identify and eliminate production bottlenecks and recurring operational problems.
- Ensure effective shift planning, manpower allocation, and production scheduling.
Technical & Process Management
- Provide technical leadership for printing, converting, finishing, and packaging processes.
- Develop, standardize, and improve operating procedures, work instructions, and technical specifications.
- Troubleshoot technical problems related to printing machines, packaging equipment, materials, inks, substrates, plates, tooling, and finishing processes.
- Lead root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for technical and production issues.
- Evaluate and implement new technologies, equipment, materials, and process improvements.
- Support machine installation, commissioning, qualification, and performance validation.
Quality Management
- Ensure production complies with approved specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements.
- Work with Quality Assurance/Quality Control teams to reduce defects, rework, complaints, and material waste.
- Establish process controls and inspection standards for printing and packaging operations.
- Investigate quality deviations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Maintain proper technical documentation, production records, and process parameters.
Maintenance & Equipment Reliability
- Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure maximum equipment availability and reliability.
- Establish preventive and predictive maintenance requirements for production equipment.
- Analyze equipment downtime and develop improvement plans.
- Participate in equipment selection, technical evaluation, upgrades, and capital expenditure projects.
Cost & Productivity Improvement
- Control manufacturing costs through improved productivity, reduced waste, optimized material usage, and reduced downtime.
- Lead continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.
- Establish improvement projects focused on OEE, setup/changeover time, scrap reduction, energy consumption, and labor efficiency.
- Monitor department budgets and support capital investment planning.
People Management
- Lead, coach, and develop production and technical teams.
- Establish performance objectives and KPIs for team members.
- Identify training needs and ensure employees are competent in relevant processes and equipment.
- Promote accountability, teamwork, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure safe operation of all printing and packaging equipment.
- Enforce company HSE policies and safe working practices.
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead investigations of operational incidents and implement preventive measures.
Key Performance Indicators
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Production output and efficiency
- Waste and scrap percentage
- Machine downtime
- Changeover/setup time
- First-pass yield
- Customer complaints and quality defects
- On-time production/delivery
- Labor productivity
- Manufacturing cost per unit
- Preventive maintenance compliance
- Safety performance
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Printing Technology, Packaging Technology, Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
- Typically 7–12 years of experience in printing, packaging, converting, or related manufacturing operations.
- Proven experience managing production and technical teams.
- Strong knowledge of printing and packaging processes, equipment, materials, and quality requirements.
- Experience with continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or similar methodologies is preferred.
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of printing processes such as flexographic, gravure, offset, digital, or relevant technologies.
- Understanding of packaging conversion and finishing processes.
- Knowledge of inks, substrates, adhesives, coatings, laminates, and packaging materials.
- Production planning and manufacturing KPI management.
- Root-cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies.
- Preventive maintenance and equipment reliability principles.
- ERP/MRP and production reporting systems.
- Microsoft Office and data-analysis tools.
