Find and manage outside resources, including: prepress, printing, mailing, list/data processing, and specialty suppliers. Create and maintain contractual agreements with print suppliers.

Develop and communicate specifications and expectations for projects.  This may require collaboration with account services, creative, media and certainly requires collaboration with partner/suppliers.

Create and maintain a roster of multiple quality-conscious, service-oriented suppliers offering equitable, competitive prices.  Obtain multiple bids, and ultimately detailed estimates outlining all expected costs for each job.

Conduct periodic, critical evaluations of all vendors, both old and new to review their technical competencies as well as their ability to deliver quality work at competitive prices.  Adopt a policy precluding “sole source vending” to ensure fair and competitive pricing (as recommended by AAAA)

Manage marketing budgets and executes marketing programs to achieve stated objectives regarding revenue, profitability, and market share.

Plan and oversee execution of promotional activities including print, electronic media, trade show, direct mail, point-of-purchase displays, and signage.

Communicate with outside advertising agencies on ongoing campaigns.

Manage development, production, and distribution of promotional and collateral material

Establish and maintain consistent corporate image throughout product lines, promotional materials, and events.

Ensure that projects deliver on time, within quality tolerances, and at an acceptable price.

Negotiate with suppliers and internal staff for acceptable scheduling, quality, problem resolution, services, pricing, etc.

Develop and communicate print standards and internal costs sheets/pricelists. These are the standard operating procedures that include everything from turnaround to billing procedures.

Develop written quality assurance standards.

Educate internal staff on new technology and developments. Examples : educate staff/associates on production issues, what to expect from different proofing options, advancements on large format output, out of the box ideas for print inserts, etc.

Provide financial accounting of expenditures and cost-containment programs within the production department and studio.