Production Supervisor / Planner - Carton Printing

NEW VACANCY! (PK9279)

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR / PLANNER - CARTON PRINTING

COMMUTABLE FROM CHESHIRE / MERSEYSIDE / NORTH WALES

SALARY UP TO £36K (Depending on Experience)

Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:00am till 4:00pm OR 9:00am till 5:00pm

Our client is a leading independent carton manufacturer based in the North West. They are looking to recruit an experienced Production Supervisor / Planner to oversee daily manufacturing operations within their carton printing facility.

This is a hands-on role that combines shop floor supervision with detailed production planning. You will be responsible for managing workflow across lithographic printing, die cutting, folder/gluing and finishing operations, ensuring all jobs are scheduled efficiently, produced to the highest quality standards, and delivered on time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and maintain daily production schedules for carton printing, die cutting and finishing operations to ensure customer deadlines are met while maximising machine efficiency and minimising changeovers
• Review job tickets, artwork and specifications to ensure all production requirements are fully understood before work begins
• Monitor work in progress and adjust schedules proactively to prevent bottlenecks and downtime
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure board, inks, printing plates, dies and tooling are available in line with the production plan
• Supervise Production teams across printing, die cutting, and folder/gluing departments, ensuring jobs are completed safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards
• Lead daily production meetings to communicate priorities, targets, and operational issues
• Support machine operators with troubleshooting, job setup optimisation and workflow improvements
• Monitor machine performance, waste levels, throughput & overall equipment effectiveness
• Ensure all printed cartons meet customer specifications, colour standards and regulatory requirements
• Work closely with the Quality team to investigate non-conformances and implement corrective actions
• Maintain compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, PS 9000, and company SHE policies
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing tools such as 5S, SMED, and visual management
• Liaise with various teams to confirm job details, lead times and production status
• Prepare and present daily and weekly production reports to management
• Attend internal and external meetings and, where required, visit customers and suppliers

Requirements:

• Proven experience in carton printing, packaging manufacturing or commercial print production
• Strong understanding of lithographic printing, die cutting, folder/gluing and finishing processes
• Previous experience in production planning, scheduling, and shop floor supervision
• Ability to interpret artwork, CAD layouts, job tickets, and technical specifications
• Strong leadership and team management skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Excellent organisational, problem solving and communication skills
• Familiarity with ERP/MIS systems and Microsoft Office applications
• Good understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Knowledge of quality and environmental standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and PS 9000
• Computer literate with the ability to analyse and report production data