A well-established flexible packaging manufacturer, part of a global group, is looking for an experienced Print Manager to lead their print function out of a purpose-built facility in Queensland. The business has been operating in Australia for over a decade and has grown consistently year-on-year. The facility recently moved into a new purpose-built site, housing printing, conversion and a 4,000-pallet warehouse all under one roof.
The print function has been running for approximately six years, since the business first invested in a wide web flexographic press. The team has grown with the business, and the facility is now commissioning a new lamination line, adding further capability to the print department.
The previous Print Manager supported the move to the new site and the commissioning of the new presses before departing in early February. The Plant Manager and senior leadership have been absorbing the workload in the interim. This role is ready to be filled now.
About the role
Reporting to the Plant Manager, you'll lead a team of 10+ people across three rotating shifts - day, afternoon and night. Each shift has a Lead Printer responsible for shift-level performance, and you'll work closely with those leads to drive consistent output, quality and accountability across the operation.
This is a technical leadership role, not just a people management job. You'll be expected to hold your own on the press floor , understanding what's happening at the machine level, troubleshooting when things go wrong, and bringing genuine credibility with the team. At the same time, you'll be managing production schedules, quality compliance, waste metrics and machine utilisation, and working cross-functionally with the Pre-Press, Converting, Quality and Supply Chain teams.
A new lamination line is being installed shortly and there's a genuine opportunity to play a hands-on role in its commissioning and integration into the broader print workflow.
The business is also building out an apprenticeship program. As the senior qualified tradesperson in the print function, you'll play an active role in mentoring apprentices, which is part of why the trade qualification is a firm requirement for this role.
Key responsibilities
- Oversee daily print production - output, quality, scheduling and delivery to warehouse
- Lead, coach and develop three rotating shifts, working closely with Lead Printers on each
- Monitor and report on production KPI's, waste, machine utilisation, efficiency and labour performance
- Drive quality standards across all printed products including colour accuracy, registration and graphical consistency
- Participate in pre-press planning, artwork review and proofing processes
- Manage supplier relationships and escalate material quality or supply risks early
- Champion continuous improvement, Lean principles, root cause analysis and data-driven decision-making
- Support the commissioning and integration of the new lamination line
- Mentor and support apprentices as part of the business's developing trade program
- Ensure health, safety and compliance standards are upheld across the print department
About you
You are a trade-qualified wide web flexographic printer with genuine leadership ability, someone who can run a technically demanding operation and bring a team with them.
You will likely bring:
- A Trade Qualification in Flexographic Printing (Cert III or equivalent) - this is a firm requirement
- Wide web flexographic printing experience, label printing alone will not be sufficient for this role
- Demonstrated people leadership experience - you're managing three rotating shifts with varied personalities and a Lead Printer on each. You need to be able to read people and adapt your style accordingly
- Lamination experience, highly desirable given the new lamination line being installed shortly
- Pre-press knowledge - a bonus
- Familiarity with production reporting, scheduling and MRP/ERP systems (SAP experience well regarded)
- A continuous improvement mindset; Lean exposure, process discipline and a low tolerance for avoidable waste
Why this role
- Join a business that has grown 15–20% year-on-year and is continuing to invest; new facility, new presses, new lamination line
- Lead a well-established print team in a newly commissioned, purpose-built facility
- Real scope to shape the print function during a period of genuine growth and capability expansion
- Competitive remuneration up to $130,000 + Super
- Play an active role in building the apprenticeship program, leave a mark on the next generation of flexo printers
- Be part of a business where the print department is not an afterthought, it's central to what the business does
