Company & Role:
The Print & Production Supervisor is responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of Now or Never Studios®, Widdop & Co's in-house product personalisation and print-on-demand service. The role ensures the efficient production of high-quality bespoke products for both wholesale and retail customers, delivering exceptional quality, rapid turnaround times and outstanding customer service.
Reporting to the Head of Operations, the Print & Production Supervisor plays a hands-on role across the entire production lifecycle, working closely with Sales, Product Development, Customer Services and Warehouse teams. Responsibilities span from artwork amendments, product design support and sampling through to production planning, procurement, quality assurance, fulfilment and dispatch, ensuring every project is delivered on time, within specification and to the highest standard.
The role is instrumental in driving the continued growth of Now or Never Studios®, supporting Widdop & Co's strategy of providing flexible, UK-based manufacturing that enables both customers and the business to develop exclusive, personalised and licensed product ranges quickly, efficiently and with low minimum order quantities. Alongside operational delivery, the role champions continuous improvement, helping to optimise production processes, introduce new capabilities and maintain the high standards of quality and service that underpin the Now or Never Studios® proposition.
Key Responsibilities
Production Operations
· Lead the day-to-day operation of Now or Never Studios®, ensuring production targets, quality standards and customer delivery deadlines are consistently achieved.
· Take ownership of the complete production lifecycle, from artwork and sampling through to manufacture, quality control and dispatch.
· Plan, prioritise and schedule workloads to maximise productivity while maintaining exceptional quality and customer service.
· Monitor production capacity, resource allocation and workflow to support business growth and seasonal demand.
· Ensure production equipment is maintained, production areas are organised and all health and safety procedures are followed.
Design, Artwork & Sampling
· Review, amend and prepare customer and in-house artwork for production, ensuring files are accurate and print-ready.
· Work closely with Product Development and Sales to create cutter guides, samples, prototypes and bespoke customer presentations.
· Manage artwork approvals, version control and technical specifications.
· Support the development of new personalised products and production techniques.
Print & Personalisation
· Oversee the manufacture of personalised products across a wide range of substrates including giftware, home décor, promotional products and seasonal collections.
· Ensure customer-supplied artwork, licensed designs and Widdop-owned brands are reproduced accurately and consistently.
· Maintain high standards of print quality, colour accuracy, finishing and product presentation.
· Troubleshoot technical production issues and implement effective solutions.
Procurement, Planning & Fulfilment
· Coordinate production schedules to achieve agreed customer lead times.
· Manage the procurement of consumables and production materials, ensuring stock availability and cost control.
· Work closely with Warehouse and Logistics teams to coordinate efficient order fulfilment and dispatch.
· Monitor supplier performance where applicable and identify opportunities to improve cost, quality and service.
Customer & Internal Collaboration
· Work collaboratively with Sales, Customer Services, Product Development and Marketing to deliver bespoke customer projects.
· Provide technical advice on artwork, production methods, product suitability and manufacturing capabilities.
· Support the creation of exclusive collections for retailers, visitor attractions, museums, garden centres, corporate customers and promotional merchandise partners.
· Build strong relationships across the business to ensure an exceptional customer experience from enquiry through to delivery.
Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
· Maintain robust quality standards throughout all stages of production.
· Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and production documentation.
· Investigate production issues, identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
· Continuously review production processes to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance product quality.
· Support the introduction of new equipment, technologies and manufacturing capabilities to strengthen the Now or Never Studios® proposition.
Team Leadership
· Lead, motivate and develop the Now or Never Studios® production team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
· Allocate workloads, monitor performance and provide coaching and training.
· Conduct regular performance reviews and identify development opportunities.
· Promote safe working practices and maintain a positive, well-organised production environment.
Skills & Experience
Essential
· Experience in print production, digital printing, product personalisation or light manufacturing.
· Previous experience supervising or leading a production team.
· Strong understanding of digital print technologies, production workflows and quality standards.
· Experience of artwork preparation and print-ready file management.
· Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills.
· Strong attention to detail with a proactive approach to problem solving.
· Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.
· Confident communicator with excellent customer service skills.
· Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Desirable
· Experience within a print-on-demand or personalised products business.
· Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.
· Experience with UV printing, sublimation, laser engraving, embroidery, vinyl cutting or similar production technologies.
· Experience within giftware, home décor, promotional merchandise or retail manufacturing.
· Understanding of licensing, brand management and colour management principles.
Key Performance Indicators
· On-time delivery of customer orders.
· Production efficiency and utilisation.
· First-time-right production quality.
· Customer satisfaction and repeat business.
· Production waste and material utilisation.
· Achievement of lead-time and service-level targets.
· Successful launch of new products and production capabilities.
· Team performance, engagement and development.
· Continuous improvement initiatives delivered.
Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
