Our client is looking for a leader — equal parts operator, builder, and coach — who can step into an existing operation, learn how it runs, and own it. Someone who brings lean thinking, builds systems, and frees our CEO to focus on growth. This role directly leads a production team with accountability for culture, performance, and execution at every touchpoint. Location: NE Minneapolis, MN, on-site Salary Range: $75K to 105k/yr.base salary Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance 401(k) with Employer Match Paid Time Off & Holidays Roles & Responsibilities Production Scheduling & Workflow Build and manage a resource-based scheduling system, aligning machine capacity, labor hours, and material availability across diverse concurrent job types. Develop data-driven production calendars that account for lead times, job complexity, throughput targets, and handoff timing with the install team. Own daily production scheduling, capacity planning, and workflow management across printing, finishing, lamination, and substrate prep. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Implement lean tools — 5S, value stream mapping, visual management, standard work — to reduce waste, minimize downtime, and improve throughput. Monitor and reduce waste and spoilage through proactive process design, not reactive correction. Build and present cost-benefit analyses and ROI summaries for capital investments and process changes. Quality Control Establish and maintain structured quality control checkpoints across print and finishing phases. Inspect output, maintain color consistency, and ensure every job meets brand standards before it ships. Bridge the gap between morning planning and measurable end-of-day results. Inventory, Equipment & Vendor Management Own the full supply chain and inventory strategy, including material forecasting, vendor ordering, and cash-flow optimization. Manage equipment maintenance schedules and material inventory. Manage vendor relationships. KPI Tracking & Reporting Define, track, and report on key operational metrics: throughput (jobs completed per period), waste & spoilage %, on-time completion rate (OTC), and labor utilization vs. capacity. Translate operational data into clear, team-level action. Team Leadership & Development Lead, coach, and develop the production team — training, performance management, and accountability. Conduct regular 1:1s and performance reviews, fostering a culture of excellence and ownership. Model and sustain the company standard of excellence. Coordinate cross-functionally with sales, design, and project management to ensure accurate specs, realistic timelines, and smooth handoffs. Required Skills & Experience 5+ years of production or operations management in manufacturing (printing, packaging, plastics, food production, contract manufacturing, or similar). Proven experience leading production teams of 5+–20 people with measurable results. Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience — demonstrated practice matters more than certification. ISO, or SGP-certified environment Strong mechanical aptitude; comfortable learning new equipment and processes quickly. Data-driven mindset: you track metrics, identify trends, and make decisions based on evidence. Strong cross-functional communicator — comfortable working with sales, design, and leadership. Experience within the printing industry, with a preferred experience in wide-format expertise. Background in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification. Familiarity with shop management or MIS software (job tracking, scheduling, estimating) Experience scaling a production team through a growth phase. About Versique Versique: /ver-seek/?adj. being both versatile and unique; n. a high-performance recruiting firm specializing in executive leadership search, direct hire, and interim hiring solutions. Versique Executive, Professional, & Interim Recruiting is a locally owned and operated hiring and placement firm based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. With specialized practice areas across our three divisions, Versique delivers tailored expertise to a wide range of industries. What sets us apart is our team of recruiters—seasoned professionals who have worked in the very fields they now hire for, providing unmatched industry insight and connections. We believe people are more than resumes — they are transformative, unlocking the potential for organizational growth and success. Versique is proud to be an award-winning company, earning recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50 list for 2023. We are also consistently recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace and were named a Best Place to Work in 2022 by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Let's find your people, together. Versique is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr