Direct Mail Production Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Production Director 

Objective of the Position
The role of the Production Manager is to provide all production-related duties to execute fundraising campaigns for nonprofit organizations that are on time, error-free and within budget. 

Job Summary
The Production Manager is responsible for managing the production steps necessary to execute cost-effective, high quality, on-time direct response fundraising efforts including (but not limited to): offering strategy and creative input, reviewing strategy memos, creating production schedules, writing Requests for Quotes (RFQs), preparing production grids, trafficking artwork/proofs, working with vendor partners, reconciling invoices and creating/maintaining cost sheets. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Participates in and contributes to strategic planning meetings. 
• Reviews campaign specific strategy memos. 
• Creates production schedules and maintains established deadlines to ensure that all mailings go out on time. 
• Act as liaison with various teams, clients, and vendors to execute campaign strategies. 
• Continually communicates with the team on project status and/or any delays in the process. 
• Creates and updates production grids based on information provided in approved campaign strategy memos. 
• Prepares RFQs, conduct competitive bidding and select vendors. 
• Creates purchase orders, postage requests, cost estimates, reconcile vendor invoices and prepare final cost summaries to ensure campaigns remain within budget. 
• Provides costs for client yearly budgets. 
• Accurately and quickly updates all documents, departments, vendors, and client throughout projects. 
• Reviews all artwork, proofs and setups and traffic between departments, clients and vendors. 
• Maintains a network of vendors to whom to bid all aspects of a job. 
• Cultivates vendor partner relationships and seeks out new vendor partners as needed. 
• Maintains knowledge about print and DP/Lettershop vendor capabilities. 
• Maintains knowledge about promotional items such as tote bags, water bottles, umbrellas, etc. and how to produce them. 
• Attends training sessions including company seminars as well as industry events and conferences, in consultation with supervisor. 
• Seeks industry volunteer opportunities as needed. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Job Requirements 

• 4-10 years’ experience in print production, direct mail, or a similar print field preferred 
• Nonprofit fundraising experience a plus 
• Strong attention-to-detail and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Programs, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook a plus 
• Possesses a thorough understanding of print production and direct mail 
• Ability to work in a team-based, collaborative environment to fulfill client and internal team needs 

Physical Demands & Work Environment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless such accommodation creates undue hardship. 

• Work in a general office setting, including performing tasks on a computer, speaking, or talking to express or exchange ideas or provide instructions, reading, placement at a stationary workstation, visual acuity to prepare and analyze information, view a computer terminal, and operate general office equipment 
• Occasional lifting or exerting force of up to 10 pounds 
• Ability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time as needed 
• Walking/moving about work setting to accomplish tasks 

The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Subject to climate-controlled office environments; role is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions 
• In capacities where the position is performed remotely, maintain a suitable and safe remote home working space that allows the employee to perform the job responsibilities 
• Occasional travel may be required 

Please Note: This job description is a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties, and physical demands.

*This position will be available remotely for candidates who will be in a work location in which Lautman Maska Neill & Company has an established business entity. We currently operate in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington DC.

Application Instructions: Visit our website www.lautmandc.com to learn more about this position, our company and the clients we serve. To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@lautmandc.com.  LMNC is an equal opportunity employer and all applicants are considered.