Operations Manager - Print & Sign Production

Operations ManagerAlphaGraphics Lake Norman is a growing digital print, marketing, and sign center serving business clients throughout the Lake Norman area. We are looking for a hands-on Operations Manager to lead our daily production operation. This is a key role for someone who can plan work, manage schedules, direct a team, solve problems, and jump into production when needed. Our work includes digital printing, wide-format printing, signs, finishing/bindery, design/prepress coordination, and sign installation. The right candidate will be organized, process-oriented, technically capable, customer-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment.ResponsibilitiesLead day-to-day production across digital print, signs, finishing/bindery, and installation.Review incoming jobs, confirm specifications, identify production needs, and plan the best path for completion.Schedule and prioritize the production queue to meet customer deadlines.Direct, coach, and support production team members.Communicate clearly with customer service, sales, design, production, vendors, and ownership.Perform hands-on production work as needed in digital printing, wide-format/sign production, bindery/finishing, and installation.Troubleshoot workflow, file, equipment, material, and scheduling issues.Help estimate, plan, and manage custom or complex projects.Coordinate outside vendors, subcontractors, materials, and supply needs.Purchase materials and supplies while helping control inventory, waste, and production costs.Maintain an organized, efficient, safe, and professional production environment.Ensure jobs are completed accurately, on time, and to customer expectations.Help improve systems, procedures, workflow, quality, and team performance.Support a customer-first culture built on teamwork, accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.Qualifications5+ years of experience in printing, signage, graphic production, digital print, wide-format, finishing, installation, or a related production environment preferred.Experience planning, scheduling, and prioritizing production work.Strong understanding of production workflow, deadlines, quality control, and job costing.Hands-on experience with digital printing, sign production, bindery/finishing, prepress, installation, or related equipment.Ability to lead, coach, motivate, and hold team members accountable.Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions under time constraints.Good written and verbal communication skills.Comfort with technology, including Adobe Creative Cloud, RIP software, production/order-entry systems, web-to-print, and related tools.Practical, mechanical, and process-oriented mindset.Willingness to learn new equipment, materials, products, and production techniques.Customer-focused attitude and ability to support business-to-business client relationships.Key TraitsOrganized and detail-orientedCalm under pressureHands-on and willing to helpProcess-drivenTech-savvyTeam-orientedAccountable and dependableCurious and solution-mindedBenefitsCompetitive salaryBonus plan based on team performanceProfit sharing planPaid time offPaid holidaysEmployee discountsTraining and development opportunitiesOpportunity to play a key role in a growing local businessAlphaGraphics Lake Norman helps businesses communicate, promote, and grow through print, signs, marketing materials, direct mail, branded graphics, and visual communications. We are a locally owned business focused on service, quality, speed, teamwork, and long-term customer relationships. If you are an experienced production professional who enjoys leading people, solving problems, improving workflow, and producing great work, we would like to hear from you. Compensation: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year.At AlphaGraphics, we offer careers for everyone! Whether you are just starting out, looking for that next great growth opportunity, or seeking a change, we have exciting roles to suit you.We pride ourselves on our training programs in management, sales, operations, print, signs, design, and marketing. Join us with or without experience, and we will succeed together as a team!