Production Director

New Today

We Value What Makes You, You
IMS is committed to building and maintaining a team that reflects the consumer base and communities that we serve. We know that when our associates are empowered to bring their whole selves to work, they feel valued and appreciated, and bring better results for our clients. We strive to build a culture that rewards people for their unique perspectives and contributions, and where our people are connected - to the work we do, to each other, and to IMS.
Who Are You?
You strive for continuous improvement. You enjoy managing a variety of tasks and working on multiple projects at once. You are a people manager that understands how to maximize efficiencies in an ever-changing environment and a talent developer that always brings out the strengths of your team. Additionally, you embody the IMS principles of Passion, Collaboration, Integrity, Inventiveness, and Proactivity. You love to be part of a team that strives to provide excellent service and thought leadership to our clients and want to bring your best to the organization and see your work brought to life.
What's the Opportunity?
The Production Director, reporting to the AVP of Procurement, is responsible for leading a large production team and ensuring the seamless execution of projects from initiation to completion. Collaborating closely with Account Management, this role oversees the end-to-end job management process while working in partnership with Strategic Sourcing to develop and implement effective strategies for the production team. As a manager of managers, the Production Director is accountable for the productivity, quality, and timely delivery of work for a team of 10 or more direct and indirect reports.
Primary Responsibilities: Lead and manage the production team assigned to your client coverage, overseeing the end-to-end process from project scoping (in collaboration with Account Management) to job completion. Ensure all projects are delivered on time, in full, and to the highest quality standards while optimizing cost efficiency. Drive adherence to both internal and external Service Level Agreements (SLAs) by monitoring and measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Partner with the AVP of Strategic Sourcing to implement process improvements that enhance consistency and efficiency within the production environment. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by actively engaging the team in providing feedback and insights on proposed process changes. Oversee staffing and capacity planning by documenting client-specific processes and unique SLAs and promoting cross-training across accounts to ensure broad coverage and effective backfill. Develop and manage team structure and performance, implementing clear production levels and career growth ladders. Provide coaching and support for professional development opportunities. Maintain, measure, and manage comprehensive KPIs, including but not limited to cost savings, item counts, complexity, revenue, diversity and sustainable spending, bidding metrics, team capacity, supplier performance, and qualitative feedback for innovation and quality. Facilitate regular meetings, including weekly staff meetings and one-on-one sessions with direct reports. Present production strategies, recommendations, and innovative ideas that align with promotional details, consumer engagement, end use, and budget requirements. Collaborate with Account Management to understand client needs and develop tailored program specifications for new initiatives and sourcing opportunities. Stay informed of retail and industry trends and proactively share innovative concepts and merchandise information with internal teams and clients. The Skills and Experience You Have
Qualifications: Procurement Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in procurement or production management. Point of Sale (POS) experience is a plus but not required. People Management: At least 5 years of experience managing teams, with demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop both direct and indirect reports. Microsoft Office Proficiency: Solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including intermediate proficiency in Excel (e.g., data analysis, pivot tables) and PowerPoint (e.g., executive presentations). Process Management: Proven experience designing, implementing, and optimizing business processes, with a focus on continuous improvement and efficiency. Project Management: Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously from scoping through completion, ensuring timeliness, quality, and cost-effectiveness. KPI and SLA Management: Experience establishing, monitoring, and reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to drive adherence and identify areas for improvement. Cross-functional Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Account Management, Strategic Sourcing, Senior Leadership) and external partners. Capacity Planning: Experience with staffing and capacity planning, including documentation of client-specific processes and promoting cross-training within teams. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience facilitating meetings and presenting strategies or recommendations to senior leaders and clients. Industry Awareness: Ability to stay abreast of industry trends and proactively share innovative ideas and best practices with teams and clients. Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills: Strong analytical skills to assess complex projects, manage budgets, and drive cost-saving initiatives. What we offer
In addition to playing an important role at IMS, you'll receive: Competitive salary Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match Generous PTO policy Robust peer recognition program Training and development opportunities Commitment to growing and enhancing our organizational culture
Who We Are
IMS represents leading brands at the point of purchase - in store, online, and behind the scenes - including digital and traditional signage, print and POP, branded merchandise, and more. Our marketplace is solution agnostic, so our clients achieve best execution at lowest price throughout North America. Our integrated platform (planning, procurement, freight, warehousing, kitting, fulfillment, field execution, analytics, and program management) empowers our clients to stay at the strategic level, knowing that we can help turn their marketing vision into a reality. Visit us at: www.IMSretail.com.
IMS is wholly owned by Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), an inter-connected global network of leading marketing communication companies offering a diverse, comprehensive range of marketing solutions spanning brand advertising, customer relationship management, media planning and buying services, public relations and numerous specialty communications services to drive bottom line results for its clients (www.omnicomgroup.com).
IMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary Range for this job is $85k to $110k - The salary range provided in this job posting is an estimate based on market data and internal equity. Final compensation will be determined based on knowledge, skills, experience, location, and other relevant factors, such as certain certifications that may be desired for this role.
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Location:
Skokie, IL, United States
Category:
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, And Media Occupations

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