Newspaper Mailroom / Packaging Department Manager
Hearst · Big Rapids
Role Overview
At Hearst Newspapers (HNP), we do more than produce printed products. We help connect communities with the local news, information, advertising and stories that matter to their daily lives. Every publication leaving our Big Rapids production facility represents a commitment to our readers, customers and communities. Our mailroom and packaging team plays a critical role in making sure those products are assembled accurately, completed on schedule and delivered with the quality our customers expect.
The Newspaper Mailroom / Packaging Department Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the mailroom, packaging, inserting and commercial finishing departments at our Big Rapids printing facility. Reporting to the Plant Manager, this position will manage the evening production team and ensure that newspaper, commercial printing and mailing jobs are completed safely, accurately, efficiently and on schedule.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who is comfortable operating equipment, training employees, troubleshooting production issues and holding team members accountable. This position requires strong communication, organization and mechanical problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will have direct experience operating newspaper inserting, inkjet addressing, stitching, trimming or related commercial finishing equipment.
Location & Schedule
- Hearst Newspapers – Big Rapids, Michigan.
- Shift is 4:00 PM to 12:00 midnight.
What You’ll Do
Major Areas of Accountability
- Lead the daily operations of the mailroom, packaging, inserting, mailing and commercial finishing departments.
- Ensure that safety, productivity, quality, housekeeping and on-time production goals are consistently achieved.
- Manage, train, coach and develop employees working on the evening shift.
- Establish clear expectations and hold team members accountable for performance, attendance, quality and workplace conduct.
- Coordinate labor, equipment and materials based on daily and weekly production schedules.
- Operate production equipment and provide hands-on support when needed.
- Promote a positive workplace culture based on teamwork, respect, accountability and pride in our facility.
- Identify production problems, workflow bottlenecks and equipment concerns before they affect customer deadlines.
- Lead improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, efficiency, waste reduction and equipment reliability.
Key Responsibilities
- Review daily production schedules, job tickets and customer specifications.
- Assign employees to equipment and production responsibilities based on workload, experience and deadlines.
- Coordinate newspaper inserting, commercial finishing, addressing, stitching, trimming, sorting and packaging activities.
- Ensure all publications and commercial jobs are produced according to customer specifications.
- Verify insert quantities, bundle counts, mailing information, skid tags and production documentation.
- Monitor production throughout the shift and adjust staffing or workflow as production needs change.
- Work closely with press, prepress, customer service, scheduling, shipping and transportation teams.
- Confirm that completed products are properly labeled, packaged, staged and ready for delivery.
- Maintain accurate production, waste, timekeeping, training, maintenance and quality records.
- Train new employees on equipment operation, job procedures, quality expectations and safe work practices.
- Provide ongoing coaching and cross-training to strengthen the capabilities and flexibility of the department.
- Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical and workflow issues and coordinate repairs when additional support is required.
- Ensure preventive maintenance, cleaning and equipment inspections are completed.
- Maintain an organized, clean and customer-tour-ready production department.
- Monitor inventory levels for supplies such as inkjet ink, strapping, wrapping materials, labels, stitching wire and other production materials.
- Investigate quality concerns, missed deadlines, shortages and production errors and implement corrective actions.
- Communicate production results, staffing concerns, equipment needs and improvement opportunities to plant leadership.
- Support company policies, safety requirements and operating procedures.
- Participate in improvement projects throughout the production facility.
- Perform other duties as assigned based on the needs of the operation.
What You’ll Bring
Qualifications
- Three or more years of leadership, supervisory or lead-operator experience in newspaper production, commercial printing, direct mail, manufacturing, packaging or a related environment preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing employees in a deadline-driven production environment.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to troubleshoot production equipment.
- Ability and willingness to operate equipment and work alongside the production team.
- Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to set clear expectations and consistently follow up on results.
- Strong organizational, scheduling and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple jobs, changing priorities and firm production deadlines.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
- Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Excel, Word, email and production-related software.
- Ability to communicate effectively with employees, managers, customers, vendors and technical support providers.
- Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with employees throughout the organization.
- High school diploma or equivalent required. Additional technical, printing, manufacturing or leadership education is preferred.
Equipment Experience
Experience operating, maintaining or supervising production on the following equipment is strongly preferred:
- GMA SLS 1000 inserting system
- Kansa inserting equipment
- Kirk-Rudy inkjet addressing equipment
- Muller Martini stitcher-trimmer
- Newspaper inserting and packaging equipment
- Inkjet mailing and addressing systems
- Commercial bindery, stitching, trimming or finishing equipment
- Material-handling and palletizing equipment
Candidates with experience on similar newspaper, direct-mail, commercial printing or bindery equipment are also encouraged to apply.
Physical and Work Requirements
- Ability to work the regular schedule of 4:00 PM to 12:00 midnight.
- Ability to work additional hours, weekends or holidays when necessary to meet production requirements.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Ability to bend, reach, climb and work around moving production equipment.
- Ability to lift and move materials commonly used in newspaper and commercial print production.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with production noise, moving equipment and changing temperatures.
- Ability to safely perform equipment setup, adjustments, cleaning and basic maintenance.
Why Join HNP?
HNP offers the resources and stability of a respected global company while maintaining the strong local connections of a community newspaper organization.
This position provides an opportunity to:
- Lead an important production department within a growing commercial printing operation.
- Develop employees and build a strong, accountable production team.
- Work with a wide variety of newspaper, mailing and commercial printing products.
- Gain experience with specialized inserting, inkjet and bindery equipment.
- Participate in equipment improvements and production improvement projects.
- Build a long-term career with one of the country’s leading media and information companies.
- Produce products that directly support local journalism, community organizations and area businesses.
Additional Information
- Sponsorship: This position does not provide immigration sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the U.S. without immigration sponsorship.
- Accommodations: We are committed to an accessible application process. If you need an accommodation to apply, please contact hnpemployment@hearst.com. This email address is for accommodation requests only.
Benefits
We support our employees through personal and professional development and promote physical, financial and emotional wellbeing for employees and their families. Our benefits include:
- Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental and vision coverage to help keep you and your family healthy.
- Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with a matching program in most markets.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
- Paid Parental Leave: Paid leave to support growing families and new parents.
- Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
- Emotional Wellbeing: Mental wellness benefits to support your emotional wellbeing.
- LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for individual needs.
- Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Support throughout different stages of your health and family journey.
- Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: Support to help keep your pets happy and healthy.
- And more: Learn more about additional benefits and details here.
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