Print and Fulfillment Manager, Publishing Operations, Augsburg Fortress Publishers (Hybrid Work Model) at Augsburg Fortress Publishers in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Job Description:

Print and Fulfillment Manager, Publishing Operations, Augsburg Fortress Publishers (Hybrid Work Model)

Augsburg Fortress Publishers (AFP) is a multimedia company composed of five vital, creative imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books and Broadleaf Books. We create resources for spiritual growth and development, for Christian worship and faith formation, and for academic study and professional development. AFP strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply, including members of groups historically underrepresented in publishing (which is - according to industry research - a traditionally white, straight, cisgender, and nondisabled field).

The Print and Fulfillment Manager manages the Purchasing team, overseeing all print procurement as well as physical inventory levels at AFP. This role works closely with publishing units and the finance team to ensure that products and supplies are available at the right time, cost, and quality to support AFP's strategic goals for optimal profitability, working capital, and ethical sourcing.

To do so, the Manager supervises a team working across all AFP publishing units; selects and manages the performance of external vendors; sets an operations budget and works with the publishing units and finance team to create and monitor product budgets; and collaborates with colleagues to support and lead cross-functional workflows, improvements, and initiatives. Alongside the VP of Operations, the Manager is responsible for ensuring that both internal and external stakeholders' needs around AFP purchasing and inventory control are met, resulting in high satisfaction.

The Print and Fulfillment Manager is part of our hybrid work model, requiring residence in the Twin Cities area. This position involves working 2-3 days in our Minneapolis office each week.

The Print and Fulfillment Manager holds these responsibilities:

Purchasing

o Collaborate with business units to understand their sourcing needs, developing solutions that support AFP objectives for spec standardization, profitability, and business evolution

o Maintain and enhance internal systems and communications to track purchasing progress and keep projects on schedule

o Source and select vendors for AFP print procurement, managing orders on a product level with the support of the Supply Chain Specialist, creating appropriate evaluation frameworks as business needs indicate, and ensuring that all vendor relationships are conducted with the highest ethical standards

o Maximize supply chain continuity by balancing allocations of work across vendors and geographies

o Supervise vendor performance, building healthy partnerships, developing KPIs, and conducting regular reviews against agreed measures of success, and support AFP staff in doing the same

o Where performance discrepancies arise, conduct root cause analysis and ensure that lessons are learned for future projects

Inventory planning

o Support the Supply Chain Specialist in collaborating across functions to maintain and enhance AFP systems for planning optimal levels of inventory needed to achieve strategic goals, exploring all options for effective replenishment, lifecycle management, and fulfillment

o Partner with AFP's primary warehouse, distributors, and accounts to ensure that inventory is available at the right time and place while minimizing associated costs

o Create and achieve corporate customer service level objectives for indirect procurement activities

Budgeting

o Prepare annual operations budget for the Purchasing team, with the support of the VPs of Operations and Finance

o Collaborate with the Finance team to project direct annual manufacturing spend; review monthly variances and recommend corrective actions as indicated

o Ensure that all spending decisions are continuously informed by the annual budget

o Collaborate with publishing units and all centralized functions such that colleagues are informed of purchasing strategy and tactics, as well as included in discussions around how to achieve profitability goals and objectives, especially as new business needs and opportunities arise

Business continuity and communication

o Work collaboratively across departments to identify, document, and implement modifications to workflows or systems related to purchasing and inventory management, maximizing quality-focused efficiency, cost savings, vendor relationship management, and high ethical standards

o Create and deliver cross-department training to allow purchasing team needs to be met

o Cover critical responsibilities for absent team members, including the Sr. Director of Publishing Operations, so that business goals continue to be met during periods of vacation or illness

Business initiatives/transformations

o Proactively seek current information on trends, theories, and methodology in procurement and supply chain management to develop and maintain a competitive edge

o Generate, facilitate, and support the implementation of business process transformations for staff and management, so that purchasing and inventory management workflows continue to adapt to the changing publishing environment and offer the best possible value to the business

Team performance

o Carry out line management responsibilities, including appraisals, recruitment, and performance management, for Purchasing team members, so that the team meets department and business-wide performance targets

o Train new hires and drive continuous professional development for the team

Ethical standards

o Actively uphold the ethical standards and behaviors expected by AFP

o Support the purchasing team and third-party vendors in doing the same

Desired education and experience:

5+ years of progressive experience in print planning, estimating, and purchasing; project management; and vendor management

Relevant four-year degree (e.g., in business administration or supply chain), or equivalent experience

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Demonstrated knowledge of the US and global printing industry and ability to identify and match diverse business needs with appropriate vendor resources. Specific knowledge of trade book manufacturing and inventory management is a plus.

Negotiation skills; sound judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness in making decisions regarding inventory levels and costing

Knowledge of prepress, print/bind, bulk mailing processes, papers, inks and other unique materials associated with media products, including electronic products or related disciplines of supply chain management

Excellent numeracy and spreadsheet literacy; ability to integrate numbers from diverse sources to make strategic and tactical recommendations

Ability to work proactively and creatively to plan and adhere to production schedules, deadlines, and budgets, working effectively under deadline pressure

Ability to support performance and development of direct reports in all areas of their roles

Ability to establish positive working relationships with people in various situations

Ability to work in an environment of change, seeking continuous improvement and industry knowledge

Knowledge of software applications including Word, Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft 365

The salary range for this position is $72,000 - $87,000. The offered starting salary will be based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data for this position.

Augsburg Fortress Publishers offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including health, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible savings account, retirement plan, supplemental life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, and other voluntary plans. Company paid benefits provided are short-term and long-term disability, and basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. Time off plans include vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement, and paid parenting leave.

To be considered, include your resume, cover letter, and references with your application. Apply using the specified link: https://bit.ly/4a6G0o9

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