Michael Thornton
Johannesburg
Summary
Experienced Production Manager with over 30 years in the printing industry, demonstrating a strong ability to lead teams and enhance productivity. Proven track record in implementing effective production strategies that drive organizational change and improve operational efficiency. Recognized for exceptional attention to detail and strong relationship-building skills, fostering a collaborative work environment. Adept at making critical decisions and managing complex challenges with a results-oriented approach.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Student Accommodation Accreditor
NSFAS
08.2022 - 10.2024
- Evaluator for Student Housing
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
- Engaged with customers to better understand needs and deliver excellent service.
- Demonstrated consistent hard work and dedication to achieve results and improve operations.
- Promoted safe working environment by implementing regulatory standards, policies and guidelines.
- Developed excellent working knowledge of industry trends and improvements in processes.
Outdoor Print Production Manager
JETLINE - PRINT ON DEMAND
10.2015 - 03.2017
- Management Position over 20 Staff Members
- Planning all facets of Production from Concept to Installation
- Trouble shoot and problem solve, ensuring efficient operations and limited down time
- Customer Liaison for all 58 Jetline Franchises Country Wide
- Procurement for all external suppliers
- Dispatch, Finishing, Installation Co-Ordination & Management
- Reason for wanting leaving: Want to get back into own field of expertise (Production, Printing, Digital)
Contractor
PRODESIGN PROJECTS
01.2014 - 09.2015
- Play a technical support role in the installation of telemetry equipment on site for Rand Water and other clients, across SA
- Supervise the technical operations team
- Trouble shoot and problem solve, ensuring efficient operations and limited down time
- Reason for leaving: Want to get back into own field of expertise (Production, Printing, Digital)
- Conducted site inspections to discern risk and hazardous environment, performing safety and security measures.
Digital Production Manager
SCREENLINE PTY (LTD)
12.2011 - 12.2013
- All managerial responsibilities of Digital Department including, DTP, Printing and Finishing departments.
- Machinery and operators overseen of Vutek, QS Flatbed, Vutek QS Roll to Roll, HP FB 7600, HP 850 Latex, Mimaki JV5 Fabric Machine, Fresco 3.2m wide solvent machine.
- Production planning based on work requirements and needs;
- Ensure smooth operation of factory production process;
- Stats and data capturing of Work Tickets
- Smooth Running of all machinery and production scheduling with a healthy department turnover of 3Million+ per month.
- Training requirements for staff of 11.
- Ordering & Procurement of all printing substrates.
- ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management Systems Course
- Attending of weekly Management Meetings and 6 Monthly Management Review Meetings.
- Liaise with signage, sales and finishing departments on all printing production aspects throughout the day.
- Reason for leaving: - Better Job Prospects
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Achieved service time and quality targets.
- Identified issues, analysed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Demonstrated consistent hard work and dedication to achieve results and improve operations.
- Trained and mentored employees to maximise team performance.
- Developed excellent working knowledge of industry trends and improvements in processes.
Production Manager
BTI BRANDING
05.2010 - 12.2011
- Supervision and management - performance management, motivation of staff, dispute resolution (15 factory staff members);
- Training of all staff on technical processes for example Vutek 3360 Fabru investigate relevant training for staff where required;
- Responsible for implementation of quality control measures & procedures;
- Responsible for upkeep of all machinery;
- Production planning based on work requirements and needs;
- Ensure smooth operation of factory production process;
- Liaise with management on production issues and problems; attend meetings;
- Attend and input at budget meetings;
- Liaise with all clients on production issues and problems;
- Ordering of materials and control of all stock for BTI Branding;
- Run the Vutek 3360 and Mimaki;
- Oversee all quality controls on work done by finishing department;
- Play a coordinator role between 9 sales representative and the production environment
- Oversee the DTP department
- Reason for leaving: Relocation back to Johannesburg to be with family
Production Manager
FRANTIC VISUAL COMMUNICATION
04.2006 - 05.2010
- Supervision and management - performance management, motivation of staff, dispute resolution (10 factory staff members);
- Managed daily operations in production facility, optimising workflow and enhancing efficiency.
- Implemented quality control procedures, significantly reducing waste and improving product standards.
- Resolved production issues swiftly, minimising impact on delivery timelines and customer satisfaction.
- Controlled operational output by implementing quality procedures throughout production.
- Facilitated communication between upper management and production floor, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
- Implemented lean manufacturing principles, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency.
- Training of all staff on technical processes for example Vutek 200/600 and 3360; investigate relevant training for staff where required;
- Responsible for implementation of quality control procedures;
- Responsible for upkeep of all machinery;
- Production planning based on work requirements and needs;
- Ensure smooth operation of factory production process;
- Liaise with management on production issues and problems; attend meetings;
- Liaise with all clients on production issues and problems;
- Ordering of material and control all stock for Frantic Visual Communication
- Reasons for leaving: Career opportunity, relocation to Cape Town
Technical Production Manager
STONEHOUSE GRAPHICS
02.2006 - 03.2006
- Supervision and management - performance management, motivation of staff, dispute resolution (20 factory staff members);
- Training of all staff on technical processes for example Fresco and investigate relevant training for staff where required;
- Responsible for implementation of quality control procedures;
- Responsible for upkeep of all machinery;
- Production planning based on work requirements and needs;
- Ensure smooth operation of factory production process;
- Liaise with management on production issues and problems; attend meetings;
- General problem solving and trouble shooting
Production Manager
COLOURS REPRODUCTION
11.2002 - 06.2003
- Supervision and management - performance management, motivation of staff, supervision, training, dispute resolution (14 staff members)
- Client and Sale Representative liaison;
- Receiving of brief from customers on work requirements;
- Liaison with customers regarding progress of work;
- Submitting of quotations to client for new work;
- Costing;
- Ensure the finalisation of jobs according to the specified standards;
- Production planning;
- Problem solving and trouble shooting
- Final inspection;
- Overseeing of final delivery.
- Reasons for leaving: Career opportunity
- Developed and maintained production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products to clients.
- Implemented quality control procedures, significantly reducing waste and improving product standards.
- Managed budget for production department, effectively controlling expenses to improve financial performance.
Marketing and Sales
PRINT CONCEPTS
04.2002 - 10.2002
- Production Planning;
- Coordinated with marketing and sales to align operational capabilities with customer demand, maximising revenue opportunities.
- Monitored marketing and sales performance and used innovative methods to obtain fruitful results.
- Facilitated training sessions for marketing and sales teams, enhancing skills and knowledge for better performance.
- Worked closely with marketing and sales teams to understand customer requirements, tailoring processes to meet specific needs.
- Oversaw the creation of promotional materials and digital content to support marketing and sales objectives.
- Client liaison and interface;
- Call on and negotiate with customers on print work;
- Receive briefing from customer on work requirements;
- Liaison with customers regarding progress of work;
- Compile and submit quotations for new work, to clients;
- Costing of final jobs.
- Reasons for leaving: Small organisation, unstable future
Large Format Manager
CITY GRAPHICS
10.1987 - 08.2001
- Client Liaison;
- Monitored staff performance and developed improvement plans.
- Managed inventory control, reducing waste and ensuring optimal stock levels at all times.
- Supported employee morale and well-being by developing positive practices centred on career development and individual job satisfaction.
- Conducted performance reviews, identifying areas for development and rewarding high achievers.
- Cultivated work environment focused on personal responsibility, continuous improvement and delivering high-quality results.
- Supervised supply purchases, management and tracking in line with budgetary requirements.
- Coordinated strategic plans for administrative services management and optimisation to best use available resources.
- Drove company growth with proactive mindset and results-oriented plans for business operations.
- Sourced vendors and suppliers for business needs and negotiated terms for optimum service delivery.
- Led team of 25 employees, fostering a collaborative environment to meet project deadlines efficiently.
- Streamlined internal processes, increasing productivity by 30% within the first year.
- Directed crisis management efforts during unforeseen events, minimising disruption to operations.
- Calling on and negotiating with customers;
- Receiving of brief from customer on work requirements;
- Liaison with customers regarding progress of work;
- Submitting of quotations to client for new work;
- Costing;
- Ensure the finalisation of jobs according to the specified standards;
- Invoicing;
- Production planning;
- Final inspection;
- Purchasing of material necessary for work;
- Overseeing of final delivery.
- Staff management: Managed 40 staff members - performance management, motivation of staff, supervision, training, dispute resolution
- Technical responsibilities: Handled technical problems, planning of production format and supervising to ensure delivery; Workflow controlling and planning of final formatting of work; Quality control during and after production; Stock control and controlling of waste; Large formatting.
- Other: Attended Management Production meetings.
- Reason for leaving: Company was placed into liquidation.
Four colour stripping
DOUGLAS AND BARRY
07.1987 - 09.1987
- Typesetting, four colour reproduction and Printing.
- Reason for leaving: Company ceased operation.
- Achieved service time and quality targets.
- Identified issues, analysed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Handled customer concerns and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Developed excellent working knowledge of industry trends and improvements in processes.
- Developed team communications and information for meetings.
Apprentice
SE COLOR
02.1984 - 06.1987
- Typesetting, four-colour reproduction and printing.
- Reason for leaving: Completed apprenticeship.
- Used observation and active listening to gain thorough understanding of processes and practices.
- Employed strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills to complete assigned tasks on time and to quality specifications.
- Learned theoretical and practical skills by attending classes and workshops on specific job aspects.
- Followed moving and handling procedures to minimise risk of injury.
- Completed tests, assessments and evaluations to check learning progress and skill levels, reviewing results to identify knowledge gaps.
- Supported senior staff in managing client projects, from initial briefing through to completion.
- Used various methodologies, tools and best practices in work-related activities, following company standards to produce quality results.
- Monitored equipment performance, identified faults, and reported issues to supervisors promptly.
- Assisted in setting up workshop equipment, adhering to strict health and safety guidelines.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions for new apprentices, sharing knowledge and skills.
- Conducted quality assurance tests on products, guaranteeing high standards before release.
- Conducted research on industry trends to inform project strategies and innovation.
Education
High School -
Mondeor High School
Mondeor, South AfricaJohannesburg Technical College
Johannesburg, South AfricaSkills
- Production management
- Client relations
- Procurement strategies
- Project planning
- Business acumen
- Technical print machine expertise (Vutek, HP Latex, Mimaki, Swiss Q Print, Zunt, Epson)
- Staff development and motivation
- Team leadership
- Contractual knowledge in printing industry
- Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite skills (Photoshop, Freehand)
- Estimating software proficiency (Dolphin Estimating, Optimus)
- Customer engagement
- Safety compliance
- Quality control
- Production planning
Custom Section
083 461 3552
Personal Information
- ID Number: 6207175066088
- Dependents: 2
References
- Kim Friend, Screenline, Marketing Coordinator, +27 78 967 4356
- Dudley Keeler, Prodesign Projects, MD, +27 11 314 2510
- Ian Brown, BTI, MD, +27 82 778 5181
- Alistair Steward, Intermarket Supplier, +27 82 258 6480
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading
- Squash
- Gym
- Cycling
Timeline
Student Accommodation Accreditor
NSFAS
08.2022 - 10.2024
Outdoor Print Production Manager
JETLINE - PRINT ON DEMAND
10.2015 - 03.2017
Contractor
PRODESIGN PROJECTS
01.2014 - 09.2015
Digital Production Manager
SCREENLINE PTY (LTD)
12.2011 - 12.2013
Production Manager
BTI BRANDING
05.2010 - 12.2011
Production Manager
FRANTIC VISUAL COMMUNICATION
04.2006 - 05.2010
Technical Production Manager
STONEHOUSE GRAPHICS
02.2006 - 03.2006
Production Manager
COLOURS REPRODUCTION
11.2002 - 06.2003
Marketing and Sales
PRINT CONCEPTS
04.2002 - 10.2002
Large Format Manager
CITY GRAPHICS
10.1987 - 08.2001
Four colour stripping
DOUGLAS AND BARRY
07.1987 - 09.1987
Apprentice
SE COLOR
02.1984 - 06.1987
High School -
Mondeor High School
Johannesburg Technical College