THE ROLE

Imagine a car factory. They have a Production Team Lead. That person manages the team that manages the production of cars. Makes sense, right? Now, let’s do a tennis ball factory. You guessed it: the Production Team Lead makes sure the tennis balls get made.
What does dbrand produce? Now you’ve opened a can of worms. You see, dbrand has spent the past thirteen years cultivating an audience of brand devotees who will buy just about anything that we sell. The only sensible response is to sell them… just about anything. Sure, it’s mostly vinyl skins and phone accessories… but sometimes it’s Rubik’s cubes. Other times, it’s an empty cardboard box. Cramming individual sheets of the world’s most luxurious toilet paper into a box of pandemic-themed novelties? Been there, done that.
What we’re trying to say is you need to be flexible. You need to be inventive. Most importantly, you need to manage a team with the breadth of skills and knowledge that will enable us to continue doing… whatever it is that we do. Not from scratch, of course - we’re already considered masters of our craft. You’re steering a world-class ship that has monopolized an entire industry, crewed by accomplished sailors that know the seven seas of die-cut vinyl like the backs of their hands. Your role? Make the ship better.
Process improvement is why you get out of bed in the morning - in fact, you’ve found the optimal way to get out of bed. Whether you’re analyzing several months of production data, coaching team members, or allocating machine time you’re the glue holding the ship together and the propulsive wind in its sails. You aren’t building cars or tennis balls - you’re building the future.
Does any of this describe you? Of course not. You don’t work here… yet. That can change. You bring the skills and knowledge that will take our production team to the next level, and we’ll provide the tools, resources, and agency that will enable you to thrive where others would fail. If that’s not a bargain you’re capable of upholding, save us all some time and close this tab. If you’re still with us… keep reading.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

In order to make a positive impact as part of our team, your focus in this role will be to:

• Lead and support a team of Finishing Specialists, Manufacturing Specialists, and Print & Lamination Specialists, including shift scheduling, hands-on training, and daily task management, in coordination with the Production Manager.
• Operate and train new team members on Canon Colorado and Epson SureColor printers, Summa flatbed cutters, laminators, and weeding tools (as required).
• Oversee job setup and output using CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, and Onyx RIP Server, ensuring dieline accuracy, scaling, and file integrity.
• Perform and schedule machine maintenance and minor repairs; coordinate with vendors for external service.
• Ensure accurate material handling, from raw roll inventory to sleeving; monitor waste and identify inefficiencies.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient production floor across all relevant work centers.
• Track and take action on KPIs related to units printed, cut, weeded, and sleeved, machine utilization, staff efficiency, waste and cost ratios, and backlog.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team on new product cut plans, to align production resources with launch timelines.
• Proactively surface and resolve technical, workflow, or resource issues in production operations.
• Continuously improve file prep accuracy, machine reliability, and communication within the production flow.
• Coordinate with the Finishing Team Lead to ensure smooth handoffs between cutting and downstream operations.
• Nurture your direct reports’ talents and encourage them to continuously build their competencies, helping identify and facilitate growth paths.
• Proactively identify both interpersonal or process challenges within the department, working in tandem with the Production Manager to deliver solutions.
• Keep in lockstep with the Production Manager to ensure alignment on communication, people, and strategy.
• Take ownership of special projects and evolving workflows as production needs change.

If you find a box you can’t check, stop reading and look for a company who demands less from their Print Production Team Lead.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in print production, including wide-format printer and flatbed cutter operation.
• Proficiency in CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, and Onyx RIP Server for print file setup and output.
• Proven ability to coach and mentor a technical team in a high-performance Production environment.
• Production experience with printers and cutters, including preventive maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g. Fulfil.io), including BOMs, routings, and batch production.
• Honed computer skills, including Windows OS operation, text editors, spreadsheet / data analysis, web applications, and task management. Hands-on mindset with the ability to balance production floor presence and leadership responsibilities.
• Considerable working memory and ability to multitask.
• An impeccable communication style - your grasp on the English language is flawless.
• Detail-oriented, self-sufficient, resourceful, organized, and proactive.
• The instinct to help teammates thrive and the openness to learn from past experiences.
• The ability to solve complex problems (or know where to find the answer).
• Commitment to long-term growth and learning opportunities.
• Insights and engagement with the current state of smartphone and mobile technology.