Jennifer van Manen

An enthusiastic and innovative production manager with 32 years experience guiding projects through all aspects of production, including conceptualization, design, execution and ROI tracking, looking for a challenging position in a company requiring strong organization and communication skills. Although most of my career has been in printing, direct mail, I’ve spent the last several years sourcing POP, Tradeshow tents and backdrops, promotional items, apparel (both embroidery and screenprint), signage, large format printing, and permitting, I feel that my skillset can be translated into other untapped opportunities due to my organization, customer service skills, sourcing, deadline setting, managing customers and suppliers as well as administrative tasks. Willing to work remotely if the position requires it. Looking for a positive environment where people are valued, nurtured, and encouraged to learn.

EXPERIENCE

5/1/24 to 1/4/25 Metro Productions Raleigh, NC

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

• Estimated various print projects from business cards to complex projects that included die cutting, sleeking, and perfect binding. 
• Managed invoicing through Quickbooks Online while ensuring pricing is accurate.
• Managed prepress projects, proofing and layout all within InDesign and SmartStream. 
• Helped production meet promised expectations on various and complex projects. 
• Outsourced with various suppliers as needed, often coordinating jobs with more than one outside supplier. 
• Interfacing with customers to discuss and document their needs and expectations along with gathering all relevant information to ensure project success and client satisfaction.
• Ability to suggest alternative options on projects in order to run a cleaner and quicker project path while still ensuring customer satisfaction and quality.
• Answered phone calls and emails from customers and clients and directed them to relevant staff. 
• Worked to find efficiencies within the estimating system, invoicing, as well as production. 
• Filing and organizing records, invoices, and other important documentation.
• Worked in bindery to ensure deadlines were met from very small projects to incredibly large and complex direct mail pieces. 
• Always ask if anyone needs help. Someone always does.

Senior Project Manager/Office Manager

• Coordinated the production of large format digital vinyl as well as illuminated signage,

business fleets, and racecars.

• Outsourced with various other companies while communicating project needs, scope,

• Schedule projects within the organization and with various suppliers not only to meet

• Interfacing with customers to discuss and document customers needs and expectations

• Ability to suggest alternative options on projects in order to run a cleaner and quicker

• Extensive research on permitting requirements of each town and city within various

• Performed duties as office manager in regards to answering phone calls and emails from

• Reporting office progress to senior management and working with them to improve

• Filing and organizing records, invoices, and other important documentation.

Senior Project Manager/Office Manager

• Coordinated the production of large format digital vinyl as well as illuminated signage, pan signs, door vinyl, etc., for storefronts, business interiors, ballparks, client events, business fleets, and racecars.
• Outsourced with various other companies while communicating project needs, scope, and ensuring accurate, as well as competitive, pricing, along with ensuring turn times and high-quality products. 
• Schedule projects within the organization and with various suppliers not only to meet deadlines but also to manage realistic expectations. 
• Interfacing with customers to discuss and document customers needs and expectations along with gathering all relevant information to ensure project success and client satisfaction.
• Ability to suggest alternative options on projects in order to run a cleaner and quicker project path while still ensuring customer satisfaction and quality.
• Extensive research on permitting requirements of each town and city within various counties to ensure permitting documentation is correct, and that all items required by permit department are provided in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Performed duties as office manager in regards to answering phone calls and emails from customer and clients and directly them to relevant staff. 
• Reporting office progress to senior management and working with them to improve office operations and procedures. 
• Filing and organizing records, invoices, and other important documentation.

• Coordinated the purchase and production of printed collateral marketing materials to include multiple page brochures, flyers, business cards, branded promotional products, banners, embroidered apparel, screen printed apparel, signs, packaging, etc. 
• Managed several aspects of customer storefront. 
• Managed multiple printing projects simultaneously ensuring quality standards and delivery schedules were met with minimum or no cost over runs.
• Interacted with multiple project owners, offering solutions to print production needs.
• Brought projects in on-budget and on-time while maintaining quality and ensured competitive pricing.
• Evaluated print production concerns, paper issues and providing resolution when errors occur.
• Laid off due to Covid.

• Coordinated the purchase and production of printed collateral marketing materials to include Direct mail, multiple page brochures, signs, packaging, etc. 
• Managed multiple printing projects simultaneously ensuring quality standards and delivery schedules were met with minimum or no cost over runs.
• Interacted with multiple project owners, offering solutions to print production needs.
• Coordinated mailings and distribution for multiple projects.
• Communicated with mid- to top-level marketing and procurement personnel on projects.
• Brought projects in on-budget and on-time while maintaining quality and ensured competitive pricing.
• Evaluated print production concerns, paper issues and providing resolution when errors occur.
• Grew qualified vendor pool from a few local companies to nationwide vendors which brought new capabilities to the stable as well as created more competitive bidding saving the company money.
• Sourcing totals averaging $2.1 million annually.

• Responsibilities included setting customer and production expectations for large printing and kitting projects.
• Tracked and controlled projects from estimating, quoting, setting timelines, proofing as well as through printing, bindery and shipping.
• Interfaced with print buyers and remote sales to ensure needs were met in a timely manner.
• Monitored costs and continuously strived to identify cost saving opportunities throughout the entire printing process.
• Managed the logistical planning, issue resolution, printing and shipping of all client collateral including onsite press checks and proof approval.

• Customer Service Representative
• Managed all aspects of offset and digital print production project schedules 
• Resolved conflicts and provided solutions in a professional manner to the satisfaction of clients
• Responsible for project tracking via internal proprietary database, Purchase Orders, Statements of Work, closing invoices and delivery tracking
• Proofed print materials; requested, documented and issued estimates for approval by account team and clients
• Managed project specifications, billing and estimated interfacing daily with suppliers, clients, account and creative team
• Operated a digital Docusource printing machine, including file prep, QC and all bindery aspects for each individual project. 

• Updated and maintain all website content, working with management team for content design.
• Assisted in designing interfaces and icons for Peopleclicks web-delivered application.
• Built a coherent identity that drove corporate advertising, collateral and marketing pieces. 
• Managed all print media, including file design, preparation and vendor management.
• Responsible for and housed corporate identity for brand consistency and logo variations.

• Responsible for conceptualizing, storyboarding, and constructing custom multimedia applicators for commercial publishing.

Bachelor of Science in Printing Production & Imaging Technology, Chowan College, Class of 1998