Bay Cities · 1 hour ago
Prepress & Production Art Manager
Pico Rivera, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expBay Cities is an Employee-Owned Company and a leading creative packaging and display partner. The Prepress & Production Art Manager leads a technical production art team responsible for preparing and optimizing client artwork for print manufacturing while managing team performance and production workflows.
ManufacturingRetail
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Lead and manage the Prepress / Production Art team, ensuring client-provided artwork is technically accurate, print-ready, and optimized for the highest quality output
Act as a hands-on, working manager, directly supporting production by laying out and adjusting artwork during high-volume periods or when complex issues arise
Review and approve production artwork in collaboration with Project Managers, Sales, Manufacturing, and Customer Service, confirming alignment with print specifications, press capabilities, and client expectations
Evaluate artwork to determine the most appropriate printing method and press—with particular expertise in digital printing—ensuring optimal color accuracy, resolution, and substrate performance
Oversee color matching, proofing, and print quality standards, maintaining consistency across digital, flexo, and litho platforms
Establish, document, and maintain internal and external prepress specifications, workflows, and best practices in partnership with Production and Manufacturing teams
Partner with the IT and Workflow Automation teams to evaluate existing processes, define requirements, and identify opportunities for automation to improve efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
Serve as a technical liaison to clients, confidently explaining production decisions, artwork adjustments, and print limitations to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes
Set goals, manage workloads, and track performance metrics to ensure quality, efficiency, and on-time delivery
Hire, train, coach, and develop team members, fostering accountability, technical mastery, and continuous improvement
Build strong relationships with external vendors (plates, litho labels, digital print partners), supporting vendor qualification and print quality standards
Develop and maintain documentation related to printing technologies, press capabilities, and production art requirements
Foster a positive, engaging, and productive team culture that values collaboration, ownership, and technical excellence
Adapt to changing production demands and support cross-functional initiatives as business needs evolve
Perform other related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Science, Package Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related technical field; advanced degree a plus
5–7 years of experience in prepress, production art, or print manufacturing, ideally within corrugated, packaging, or POP environments
3–5 years of experience managing and developing technical teams
Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, with deep hands-on experience in Adobe Illustrator for production artwork and prepress workflows
Demonstrated expertise in digital print production, including file setup, color management, resolution requirements, and press optimization
Strong working knowledge of flexographic and lithographic printing processes
Hands-on experience with print plates, dies, machinery, and corrugated conversion processes
Advanced problem-solving skills with the ability to assess production constraints and guide artwork adjustments for optimal print outcomes
Comfortable working directly with clients to explain technical production decisions and manage expectations
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of translating technical print concepts to internal teams and clients
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Willingness to work extended hours as required
Valid Driver's License with acceptable driving record
High ethical standards. Models and supports organization's goals and values; adapts to changing conditions; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Consistently conduct themselves in an honest and trustworthy manner. Does not pursue their own individual objectives to the detriment of company goals. Sets an example for others to follow. Does the right thing
Demonstrates energy and passion about what they do and knows how to balance work and fun. Is optimistic and upbeat; fun to be around. Has a strong belief and zeal for the industry, the job, and the company. Conveys energy and intensity at work with a capacity for keeping others enthusiastic and involved
Operates with a customer service orientation internally and externally. Works to positively build the Bay Cities brand in everything he/she does. Builds strong, positive relationships with all stakeholders
Acts as an owner of the business and instills that same attitude and level of action in others. Is proactive in taking responsibility for all outcomes/results and avoids ‘pointing fingers. Helps to create and maintain a strong feeling of belonging in the immediate and overall team
Regularly involves others in decisions that affect their job or work environment. Demonstrates co-operation and trust with colleagues and teams across organizational boundaries. Participates as a team player and establishes strong working relationships to deliver positive results
Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize, balance, and manage multiple efforts with strong results/goal orientation. Uses time effectively, prioritizes and organizes workflow; can orchestrate multiple activities at once. Agility and personal adaptability with the ability to successfully manage multiple priorities with a high sense of urgency in a rapidly changing environment
Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work. Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; strives for continuous improvement of self and processes
Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to convey information and ideas in a variety of media, tactful, confident, at all levels, internal and external. Must have strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage multiple projects in a rapidly changing environment
US Persons Only (US citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugee or asylee – all require proper identification and documentation)
Minimal local travel required
Physical and Environmental Requirements: While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision
The work environment includes front-office and manufacturing. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
Pre-Employment Verifications: Must pass background and reference checks, drug screen, and physical examination prior to employment
Company
Bay Cities
Bay Cities is a packaging and containers company that offers displays, retail packaging, and industrial packaging solutions.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Ed DeVeau
Vice President of Operations
Recent News
2025-09-19
2025-09-17
Company data provided by crunchbase