This role is pivotal in driving REI's success by optimizing marketing-driven traffic and sales initiatives through experienced print production management. You will oversee a variety of high-impact programs, such as Direct Mail, Membership, In-store Experience, Gift Cards, Co-Op Brands, MasterCard, and various Marketing collateral.

The Print Production Program Manager will manage the entire print lifecycle, ensuring flawless execution and alignment with program strategies. This includes overseeing print solutions, planning, budgeting, color management, and fulfillment. Your role will be central in improving efficiency and driving innovation, while mentoring internal teams and fostering cross-departmental collaboration.

This is an exciting opportunity to elevate your career while playing a critical role in the success of REI’s marketing programs. If you are adept at print production and have a passion for innovation and sustainability, we invite you to apply.

Strategic Print Solutions Leadership:

• Drive the planning, development, and execution of print strategies for key marketing programs, ensuring alignment with overall marketing goals and business priorities.
• Give expert-level guidance on selecting the best print solutions, optimizing the production process, and managing resources.

Comprehensive Print Production Management:

• Oversee the complete print production lifecycle for assigned marketing programs, including bidding, procurement, color management, and fulfillment.
• Manage the purchasing of Co-op print collateral, managing annual budgets ranging from $1MM to $15MM, ensuring compliance with purchasing standards and delivering on quality, timelines, and cost expectations.

Financial Oversight & Budget Management:

• Manage invoices, track budgets, and ensure accurate financial reporting and reconciliation for all print-related projects.
• Partner with leadership in annual budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning for marketing initiatives.

Vendor & Partner Relationship Management:

• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with external print vendors, fulfillment houses, USPS, and media agencies to ensure optimal service and performance.
• Guide contract negotiations with vendors, leveraging industry knowledge to secure favorable terms and drive continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Seek out and deploy new, innovative production methods, technologies, and partnerships that enhance program effectiveness, efficiency, and quality.
• Introduce new production alternatives, mitigate risks, and define new processes to streamline operations and improve outcomes.

Color and Quality Expertise:

• Ensure the highest color standards are met across various print methods and substrates, leveraging advanced knowledge of color reproduction to guarantee accurate and consistent output.

Process Optimization & Leadership:

• Define, deploy, and improve processes that support the timely and efficient execution of marketing programs.
• Function as a mentor, educator, and internal consultant to enhance the team’s knowledge of the print process and foster partnership across departments.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

• Manage production data reporting, including postal tracking, performance analytics, and deliverability metrics, to drive strategic insights and improve overall program effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Advocacy:

• Partner with cross-divisional marketing teams and external partners to ensure the successful execution of print programs.
• Influence internal business owners, vendors, and key collaborators to achieve corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and integrate sustainability initiatives into print production practices.

Industry Leadership & Education:

• Stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in print production, sharing knowledge and ensuring the team is developing expertise.
• Manage team in accordance with REI’s guiding values, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in advertising, marketing, graphics or related field or comparable experience preferred.
• 5+ years experience in technical print production including prepress, web, sheet-fed, digital, screen and specialty printing, bindery and finishing, substrates, and distribution services.
• Expertise in color management and print quality assurance systems
• Proven expertise in postal regulations, production and delivery elements of catalog and direct mail.
• Excellent retail and POS signage production and distribution knowledge with experience in new store signage prototype development and implementation ideal.
• Skilled and fluent in a digital environment. Knowledge of latest color management tools ideal.
• Proficiency in SAP, P3, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Workfront, Adobe Creative Cloud
• Microsoft Office business applications required.
• Excellent process development and process improvement skills.
• Proven background in planning and administering budgets and forecasts on a project and program basis. Ability to report and manage budgets in partnership with business owners.
• Skilled in training internal team members and peers on technical aspects of color management related to printed material.

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.