Creative Production Manager at Sun International

The Production Manager will be responsible and accountable to manage the day-to-day integrated planning, distribution and deployment of BTL (Below the Line) marketing projects, print buying and production, from single pieces of collateral to multichannel marketing campaigns with the aim of creating maximum engagement across consumer touch points, developing and integrating innovative marketing campaigns and content, and producing customer-centric marketing experiences in line with the Sun International brand.

Education

• 2-3 Year Diploma in Business, Marketing, Communication or related field required

Experience

• 8 years€™ experience in production management within a creative agency environment.
• Experience in the production of creative marketing campaigns and plans from brief, through design management, approval and reporting.
• Strong cross-functional experience with the ability to manage multiple projects on various levels with different and converging timelines.
• Experience in identifying target audiences and devising campaign productions that are engaging, and informative.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Understand brand identity and voice
• Business & Financial Acumen
• Project management
• Ability to generate creative ideas, coupled with sound editorial judgement.
• MS-Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe)
• Creative marketing platforms
• Print buying techniques
• Negotiation skills
• Energetic, assertive, and proactive team player with an interest in delivery high-quality solutions within quick turnaround times
• Analytical skills
• Planning
• Decision-making
• Evaluating & developing digital competence
• Influencing
• Reviewing / evaluating (feasibility / compliance / alternatives)
• Results orientation
• Developing relationships
• Innovation & continuous Improvement
• Customer Service orientation
• Attention to detail
• Emotional resilience and an ability to handle high levels of pressure

Key Performance Areas

• Develop, update and communicate integrated BTL production objectives aligned to the marketing and Brand Strategy and delivery plan, in line with changing business priorities (environmental changes, market trends) and marketing campaignsInfluences present and future content by determining and evaluating current and future market trends
• Co-ordinate and manage BTL marketing production plans and delivery in line with preferences and forecasted campaigns
• Brainstorm new and creative initiatives and production ideas to elevate brand awareness
• Manage vendors and non-people resources to ensure project and concept effectiveness, guiding and setting the creative production implementation plans across touch points for multiple business units
• Source and negotiate with suppliers and vendors to deliver against production requirements including people resources, materials, props, signage, etc.Provide clear, high-impact communication, staying ahead of a complex schedule, and maintaining cutting-edge knowledge of the creative production space
• Integrate and translate information from the creative team to external stakeholders and vendors to deliver campaigns and content
• Keep up to date with professional and technical knowledge by attending workshops, reviewing publications and establishing personal networks to stay ahead of creative production practices
• Resolve any discrepancies to quality, cost or communication with suppliers, delivery destinations and project stakeholders.
• Handle production change requests and negotiate make-goods.
• Participate in approvals as requested by customer, agency or in house design team.
• Establish process, method and quality assurance steps with customers, design team, outside and department suppliers.
• Be accountable for financial reporting and cost control associated with purchased items.
• Source and review approved supplier group and select apt vendors for price quotations.
• Collate content and complete briefs, tests and project manage execution of conceptsFacilitate negotiations with vendors and suppliers and keep records of all documentation.Manage all external time lines as well as prepare purchase orders and check invoices.
• Oversee contract fulfillment, positioning as well as post buy analysis.
• Plan and co-ordinate the set-up and logistics of various advertising campaign displays.
• Monitor that there is a timely response on correspondence received and co-ordinate projected deadlines on a daily basis
• Ensure to quote projects as department standards to meet margin goals.
• Provide print expertise and support creative team and operations to execute in line with expectations.
• Manage PO projects by completion and update relevant parties throughout.
• Plan, negotiate, tender and manage the process of receiving BTL materials and mobilising the execution of BTL productions
• Define the scope of the project in collaboration with clients and / or management
• Liaise with the creative and accounts teams to conceptualise requirements
• Prepare and submit for in?principle approval the initial (conceptual) programme business case, providing essential decision?making information regarding purpose, contribution to business objectives, expected value created, time frames, etc.
• Determine the resources required to complete the project
• Establish and maintain a formal, approved integrated project plan and workflow to guide project execution and control throughout the life cycle of the project.
• Prepare and execute a quality management plan aligned with the QMS that describes the programme and project quality approach and how it will be implemented.
• Manage the execution of a project by making key decisions, exercising overall control, assigning and co-ordinating business and resources, and placing formal requirements on authorising and accepting work, delivering and accepting work products as defined in the project plan.
• Develop reporting procedures and systems, facilitating corrections to malfunctions or under-delivery through control points
• Report on the progress of the programme, facilitating and escalating requests, and offering support as required to ensure deadlines and standards are achieved
• If necessary, liaise with agencies, freelance designers, production houses to assist and support various projects
• Follows-through on progress with relevant €œcreative€ stakeholder or team members to ensure timeous delivery in line with agreed SLA
• Develop forms and records to document project activities
• Set up files to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented and secured
• Monitor and control the production /solution delivery and performance against plan throughout the project life cycle
• Deliver finished materials/ production to clients as requested in the project brief
• Maintain working relationships with top vendors in various areas
• Source and interact with vendors and business partners to create partnerships for the business to become industry leaders in creative production
• Selects vendors according to procurement and strategy requirements
• Contracts deliverables and negotiates costings to ensure competitive pricing is achieved
• Briefs vendors on deliverables and deadlines
• Provide vendors with the correct information to deliver on the brief (timeously)
• Monitors progress and manages vendor contract deliverables
• Interact with the creative team to interpret their needs and the print and art requirements to identify apt choice of suppliers, materials and finishes
• Brief and hold regular interaction with suppliers on specific print and art requirements to ensure that this is executed during production
• Work closely with SCM, sales, and with the business unit and Group marketing on content produced for various campaigns
• Maintain regular communication with the creative and accounts marketing team and management on project development, timelines, and results
• Work closely with DTP on the preparation of final materials for printing
• Verify with business management that the content will meet business requirements
• Build effective relationships with commercial/brand/technical teams and agencies.