Director, Production Operations - 22680

Ralph Lauren Corporation
(NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of
premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances.
For 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been
consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and
international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren
Purple Label, Ralph Lauren Collection, Double RL, Polo Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph
Lauren Children’s, Ralph Lauren Home, Lauren Ralph Lauren, RLX, American
Living, Chaps and Club Monaco, constitute one of the world's most widely
recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to ht

Ralph Lauren is looking for a highly skilled and creative post-production professional primarily responsible for developing and directing Global Pre-Press, Digital Imagery, Printing and Mailing service resources for the Brand Design Studio. These vehicles that are created each season include all advertising, digital assets, direct mail, in-store signage and digital and print production. Partnering with Creative Operations and Brand Creative within Advertising, the Director is responsible for defining the re-production criteria, budgets and specifications for each assigned project. He/she then is responsible for commissioning and scheduling the project’s production resources with both internal and external vendors. This role will have ownership over projects/campaigns by maintaining RL reproduction quality standards while maximizing budgets through aggressive and inventive scheduling, negotiation and management. Will work closely with senior leadership, Creative and Studio Operations to ensure the highest level of service and quality across all projects. Partner with Senior Director in management of larger Agency initiatives. This person has extensive experience working in a fast paced ever changing environment that demands strong organizational, technical and verbal communication skills to define, interpret and execute the ideas of creative and art directors in the fashion, commercial and art world. Confident and poised in interacting with individuals at all levels. Capable of hiring and mentoring talent and build strong and energetic production team - responsible for overseeing and the professional development of the Associate, Production Operations and the Manager, Production Operations and Comp Artists.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF POSITION• Hire, Oversee, develop, and retain the Associate, Production Operations and the Manager, Production Operations. Supervises as designated, assuming responsibility for assigning and prioritizing their workload, training and familiarizing them with the RL sensibility, inspiring them and mentoring their career development.• Manage and oversee two Comp Artists. Review their workload and manage hours as Part Time Employees.• Analyze the business needs to schedule them for work as needed near fiscal close. Source and hire freelance Comp Artists as needed • In House Design Studio - Collaborate with Studio Operations to ensure criteria, specifications, timing, and standards are maintained through all phases of execution. Manage workflow, color correction, quality expectations and partner with Brand Creative to achieve their creative vision. • Asset Management – Oversee all production of Campaign shoot assets• Collaborate with Studio Operations to arrange and prepare for color review meetings. Supervise the project through the file processing, color matching and retouching phases of artwork/files.• Manage Supplemental Shoot post-production partnering with Brand Creative, Studio Operations and LIC Studio as needed.• Partner with Creative Operations and Brand Creative to develop a strategy for seasonal campaigns and establish communication criteria, budgets and timelines (Creative/Project Briefing Meetings.)• Interpret creative briefs and define format reproduction criteria and paper stock options in partnership with Brand Creative.• Independently create, negotiate and manage project strategy and timing. Develop project specifications, solicits proposals from production resources as needed and recommend innovative production solutions that are mindful of timelines and budgets. • Create project estimates if needed and collaborate with Creative Operations to review and approve.• Administrative tasks in Advisor ensuring guidelines are properly adhered to and tasks completed.• Take ownership in establishing budgets and developing project timelines that meet requested deadlines. Communicate updates to internal teams throughout the course of each project’s development and provide solutions when financial or scheduled plan are not adhered to.• Contact pubs for insertions based on Media plans, requesting current and accurate specs, closing and extension dates. Pack up and ship proofs to pubs. Archive and update this information continuously on the common drive.• Global Print Management (Publication Ads, In-store collateral, outdoor Media, PK, Invites, Mailers, Press-books)• Manage Finance/Billing for all projects• Collaborate with Photographers, techs, outside agencies and Staff to coordinate color, retouching, schedules, pricing and manage expectations. • Coordinate with Brand Creative and LIC Studio if samples need to be shot.• Mailroom – shipping proofs and packages as needed. • Partner with RLE and Social Media to manage and oversee incremental retouching and work requests clearly communicating to the Studio.Vendor Management• Independently select and negotiate with vendors on projects. • Take sole accountability of the reproduction of each project. Lead proof review meetings at various stages with Brand Creative. • Supervise mailing service providers to ensure accurate sorting, ink jetting postage and distribution.• Consistently evaluate vendors for quality and competitive pricing.Departmental Responsibility• Manage Studio Services including requests for comps, presentation boards, and other materials for presentation• Asset Management – work with Studio Operations to ensure delivery of files to EDAM/RL Library • Develops and implements systems and controls to maximize budget and timing efficiencies.• Partners with Finance, Creative Operations and Licensees in managing Departmental accounting activities (i.e. vendor invoices, quarterly summary reports, re-bill invoices, contract and invoice reconciliation and resolution of any discrepancies). Produces seasonal departmental reports summarizing activities and expenses by project and by business unit/brand.• Partner with the Senior Director in Departmental and Agency Initiatives.• Collaborate with Senior Director on Advisor and RLA Process improvement and fill in as needed • Monitor international samples produced by global partners to ensure brand and vehicle consistencyEXPECTED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS • 10+ years of experience in high-end fashion and production for both print and digital media• Ability to adapt in ever changing environment• Strong communication skills and ability to work with Brand Creative to adjust images to their needs• Thorough understanding of digital photography, color theory, color management and related terminology is required• Solid grasp of printing processes to ensure print feasibility, color adjustment and file building techniques• Must enjoy working in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously against multiple timelines• Exceptional organizational skills, a superior eye for detail and expert skill level

Ralph Lauren is an equal opportunity employer. We offer dynamic career opportunities with growth potential and a generous company discount.