Project Mgr in Carlstadt, New Jersey at Company Confidential

We are seeking an experienced, highly organized Project Manager to join our large-format printing and manufacturing team.

The Project Manager serves as the quarterback for each project, coordinating all aspects of the job from initial turnover through production, completion, and delivery. This individual will serve as a key point of contact between the client, Sales, Prepress, Purchasing, Production, and other internal departments, ensuring that projects move smoothly through the facility and are completed accurately, on time, and according to customer expectations.

This is a fast-paced, detail-oriented position requiring someone who can manage numerous projects at the same time, respond to changing priorities, communicate effectively, and proactively identify issues before they impact a project.

The ideal candidate has previous experience in large-format printing, commercial printing, graphics, signage, displays, or a related print manufacturing environment and understands how a project moves from artwork and specifications through production and final delivery.

• Manage customer projects from initial handoff through production, completion, and delivery.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and serve as the primary coordinator throughout the life of the job.
• Review project specifications, customer requirements, artwork, quantities, materials, finishing requirements, delivery dates, and other critical information.
• Create accurate and detailed job tickets/work orders providing manufacturing with the information necessary to successfully produce each job.
• Monitor jobs throughout the production process to ensure requirements, quality expectations, and deadlines are being met.
• Maintain accurate project schedules, documentation, specifications, and communications.
• Manage multiple active projects simultaneously, often with changing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Proactively identify potential scheduling, material, artwork, production, or delivery issues and work with the appropriate teams to resolve them.
• Follow projects through completion to ensure all customer requirements have been satisfied.

• Serve as a primary day-to-day point of contact for assigned customers and projects.
• Conduct and participate in customer status calls and project meetings.
• Provide clear, timely, and professional updates regarding project schedules, production status, approvals, and delivery.
• Communicate changes in specifications, schedules, quantities, artwork, or customer requirements to the appropriate internal teams.
• Follow up on outstanding customer information and approvals to keep projects moving.
• Build strong customer relationships through responsiveness, accuracy, and consistent communication.

• Partner closely with the Sales team during the transition of projects from quote/order to production.
• Help Sales confirm and clarify customer specifications and expectations.
• Communicate customer requests, changes, and potential challenges to the Sales team.
• Support Sales by providing accurate project status information.
• Assist with identifying potential scope changes or additional customer requirements that may impact cost or schedule.

• Work directly with Prepress, Production, Purchasing, Shipping, Finishing, and other manufacturing departments to coordinate project requirements.
• Ensure production teams receive clear, accurate, and complete instructions.
• Answer questions and clarify requirements as projects move through the facility.
• Coordinate changes and communicate revised instructions when customer requirements change.
• Understand manufacturing capabilities and use that knowledge to help move projects through production efficiently.
• Work collaboratively with manufacturing personnel to solve problems and maintain project schedules.

• Previous experience in large-format printing, commercial printing, graphics, signage, displays, or a related printing environment.
• Working knowledge of large-format printing processes, materials, substrates, finishing methods, and related print applications.
• Strong understanding of how a print project moves from artwork/prepress through manufacturing and final delivery.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities, schedules, and customer requirements.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and organized under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively with customers, Sales, manufacturing personnel, vendors, and management.
• Basic working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Adobe Acrobat, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to understand customer specifications, artwork requirements, measurements, quantities, and production documentation.

Experience with any of the following would be beneficial:

• Large-format digital printing
• Roll-to-roll printing
• Flatbed printing
• Dye-sublimation or fabric printing
• Retail graphics and POP/POS displays
• Signage and environmental graphics
• Window, wall, and floor graphics
• Vinyl graphics
• Banners and soft signage
• Fabric graphics
• CNC routing and digital cutting
• Laminating and mounting
• Finishing and fabrication
• Retail rollouts
• Kitting and fulfillment
• Packaging and shipping
• Print estimating or job costing
• MIS/ERP or print management systems

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their projects.

The successful candidate will be someone who:

• Is naturally organized and detail-oriented.
• Understands that the details matter in print manufacturing.
• Takes responsibility for keeping projects moving.
• Communicates proactively rather than waiting for someone to ask for an update.
• Is comfortable communicating directly with customers.
• Can translate customer requests into clear instructions for manufacturing.
• Knows when to ask questions and when to escalate an issue.
• Can balance multiple deadlines without losing track of project details.
• Works well in a team environment and understands the importance of supporting both Sales and Manufacturing.
• Can adapt quickly when customer requirements or production priorities change.
• Has a "whatever it takes to get the job done right" mindset while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in business, communications, graphic arts, print management, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in large-format printing, commercial printing, graphics, signage, or a related industry preferred.
• Previous project management, customer service, production coordination, or account management experience within the printing industry is strongly preferred.