Printing Manager

Guided Search Partners (GSP) Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships. We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

We’re partnering with a non-union food packaging facility in Illinois seeking a Printing Manager. This is a strong opportunity for a printing leader who enjoys improving performance, building accountability, and leading through change. The facility has a long-tenured team, strong investment, and a clear focus on improving safety, quality, productivity, maintenance, and waste reduction. The plant runs 24/7 and includes 5 printing presses, 10 gluers, automated printing, web printing, inline cutting, and electronic beam curing.

This role is a fit for someone who understands printing operations, can lead people well, and wants a path to grow.

You’ll lead printing and sheeting production with a focus on safety, quality, cost, throughput, and customer expectations.

Key areas of focus include:

• Direct printing and sheeting production
• Improve quality, reduce waste, and increase throughput
• Lead and motivate employees to perform at a high level
• Set performance goals, allocate resources, and assess results
• Support operating policies and consistent plant standards
• Work closely with other plant departments
• Support the Plant and Operations Manager
• Drive continuous improvement across safety, quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction

You are a hands-on manufacturing leader who can bring structure, urgency, and follow-through to the floor. You know how to lead people, not just manage equipment. You can motivate teams, work across departments, and help create a culture where employees understand expectations and take ownership. You would do well here if you are comfortable in a turnaround environment, willing to be involved on the floor, and motivated by the chance to improve performance in a facility with strong long-term potential.

• Manufacturing experience required
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in a printing environment
• 3–5 years of leadership experience
• Ability to motivate people to perform at high levels
• Excellent attendance and ability to work independently
• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field and/or equivalent converting facility experience preferred
• Experience with roll stock cutting machines, printing presses, die cutting machines, and straight-line gluers preferred
• Experience operating hand jacks, electric pallet jacks, forklifts, and clamp trucks preferred
• Robotic background could be beneficial

This role is important because printing performance directly impacts the rest of the plant. Finishing has to perform at the same level as printing, and strong leadership in this area will help improve flow, reduce scrap, and support overall plant results. The facility has strong tenure, recent productivity improvement, and ongoing investment in equipment and projects. For a leader who wants responsibility, visibility, and future growth potential, this is a meaningful opportunity to step into a plant with work to do and a team ready to move forward.