Production Planner – Lithographic Print
Birkenhead
£30,000 per annum
We are recruiting for a Production Planner to join a well-established lithographic print business specialising in label production.
This is a key role within the operation, responsible for planning and optimising print runs to maximise efficiency, minimise waste, and ensure on-time delivery. The role requires a strong understanding of litho print processes, particularly around colour grouping, imposition, and run optimisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Planning and scheduling lithographic print runs across the production department
- Grouping jobs by colour profiles (CMYK, spot colours, Pantone matching) to maximise press efficiency
- Creating efficient impositions and layouts, ensuring optimal sheet utilisation
- Managing sheet sizes, formes, and plate layouts to reduce waste and improve output
- · Understanding and planning around run lengths (e.g. 3,000 vs 10,000 sheet runs) to maximise productivity
- · Coordinating changeovers and make-readies, minimising downtime between jobs
- · Working closely with pre-press, press operators, and finishing teams to ensure smooth workflow
- · Monitoring production schedules and adjusting plans in line with operational requirements
- · Ensuring jobs are planned in line with customer specifications and delivery deadlines
- · Identifying opportunities for process improvement, cost saving, and waste reduction
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in a print production planning role, ideally within lithographic print
- Strong understanding of colour separation, ink systems, and print processes
- Experience with imposition planning and sheet optimisation
- Knowledge of press capabilities, plate making, and finishing processes
- Ability to plan effectively around run lengths, changeovers, and production constraints
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with production teams and adapt plans when required
Desirable
- Experience within label printing or packaging print environments
- Familiarity with MIS/ERP systems used in print production
- Understanding of SMED principles and lean manufacturing within print
- Knowledge of finishing processes (cutting, guillotining, die-cutting)
What’s on Offer
- £30,000 salary increasing with time served alongside annual increases.
- Monday to Friday, 08:45 – 17:00
- Opportunity to play a key role in a specialist print production environment
- Stable, well-established business with consistent workflow
REF:IND1
Pay: £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Are you available for immediate start or do you have a notice period?
- Best time / number to contact you on?
Experience:
- Print: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
