Print production planner: Career development

During a career as a production planner, you may experience a range of planning work in the departments of administration, origination, reprographics, print, bindery and dispatch. The role provides an excellent grounding for supervisory and management careers in all parts of the industry.

After gaining experience, some planners specialise in one of the separate areas of production. This may be in estimating work or, with further training, account management, customer relations or a sales role.

Promotion is normally to production manager, with responsibility for the long-term and day-to-day production planning and control of workflow across all departments. You would ultimately aim to advance to works or general manager.

Larger organisations generally offer more opportunities for promotion to supervisory and management positions and often enable you to specialise in a particular role. However, smaller, often family-owned micro businesses sometimes offer greater responsibility at an earlier stage in your career and allow you the chance to gain hands-on printing skills and experience in a range of specialist areas.

Potential managers are eligible to join the YMP Organisation , the Young Master Printers’ Organisation, as full, associate or student members. Benefits include structured training programmes, company visits, study tours, business meetings and formal gatherings. The YMP aims to help members to develop confidence, leadership and organisational skills and to gain a wider knowledge of the industry. Membership is open to anyone who works in printing or a related industry.