This is Why Account Managers at Production Solutions are Industry Leaders

• Your clients know that once a project is off their desk and in your hands, it’s taken care of – a high quality product, completed on schedule and within budget.
• Your clients call upon your expertise, insights, and advice, or they simply call you with a new order and entrust you to deliver an exceptional product.  The fruits of your labor produce additional client referrals and lifelong customers.
• Yours is a style that instinctively keeps your ear to the ground and continually evaluates solutions for your clients – you “own the business within the business.”
• Whether it’s ironing out the multiple wrinkles on new client accounts or managing current clients with new needs, you are unruffled by the recurrent issues that inherently come along with this work – yours is an attitude of viewing each problem solved as an opportunity to create and maintain a happy client.
• You confidently manage client expectations, and you candidly ask the right questions, including those that sometimes arise after an order has already been signed off on and approved.
• With so many moving parts in this position, the ideal Account Manager takes pride in managing their “to-do” list, feeling a sense of accomplishment with each task marked off.  You might even go back to write in an item not previously on the list, just to mark it as “done.”
• You take delight in creating a satisfied customer by doing all the extra “little things” and continually finding ways to “do more” for your clients.  And in return, clients give you more bids and projects, entrusting you to skillfully manage all their production needs.

Company Overview

Production Solutions is an expert in direct mail production management.  Our clients, while expert in developing creative direct mail packages and identifying their target market, bring their direct mail projects to us because they need the same depth and expertise in the procurement and management of their mailings.

Production Solutions is unique, with our vast knowledge of direct mail fundraising programs and subscription development programs.  During 20 years of serving the nonprofit and commercial sectors, we have developed and refined a production management model that now is an industry standard.  We have a highly experienced staff, a loyal supplier base, and an incredible depth of knowledge in mailing formats, service techniques, and cost management/savings.  We expertly manage client expectations – our clients trust us and forge long-term partnerships with us.

Position Overview

Each client brings us deadline-driven, detail-intensive projects to take safely off their desk:  what is “out of sight, out of mind” for them is now ours to own and to manage.

As Account Manager, you will take direct mail projects from start to finish.  You will expertly manage the specific needs of your clients, the suppliers, and your teammates, as you keep your time commitments, avert preventable issues, and smoothly navigate through the uncontrollable ones.  Your success comes from your willingness to go beyond simply getting the client the product they asked for and to effectively communicate to truly understand their business and their needs.  For you, each new project increases your knowledge about that client’s business and enables you to fully address their needs.  In return, your clients rave about your service and confidently look to you to manage the full cycle of future engagements, from concept development to signing off on all approvals.  You become a trusted advisor to your clients.

You will work with a team of 3-6 colleagues and manage approximately 8-12 projects at a time with a 2-4 week turnaround time.  You will have all the tools and resources to ‘manage your business’ – we have a customized, industry-specific system that will allow you to do the same work as our competitors in a fraction of the time.  You also have the support and resources of other PS departments (e.g., Business Development, Client Services) to assist you with your clients’ needs.  You’ll use these resources as client issues arise, or as future bids and service opportunities present themselves.  You will also be responsible for vendor management.  Because we go to many of the same vendors time and time again, it will be critical for you to build and nurture solid vendor relationships and hold them accountable to their commitments.

We at PS are all responsible for creating a satisfied client and earning additional bids and accounts.  You will continually assess ‘what, where, and how’ you can do more for your clients.  As you strive to have your clients see you as their ultimate resource for all their production needs, we will look to you to garner additional business and referrals from your clients when and where it’s appropriate to do so.

We look for people with a proven track record of creating happy clients in a deadline-driven, project-oriented, service-intensive environment.  We are looking for individuals with previous experience in direct mail, printing, publishing, data processing, laser mail shop or USPS/postal processing logistics.

Experience and Requirements

• Minimum of four years experience in the direct mail industry.
• Experience providing production management and customer service to multiple clients and their multiple fundraising programs/campaigns.
• Must have proven record of working independently and efficiently on multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal staff and outside partners/vendors.
• Must be available to regularly work outside of normal business hours .

Skills

• Proficient use of a database system:  There are lots of follow-up calls and emails, faxing, vendor check-ins, and invoicing to manage – our proprietary production management system was designed to ensure that the many moving pieces of each project can easily be tracked and managed.  We’ll expect you to dive in and learn the hands-on application, asking questions as you go.
• Proofing skills:  We expect that you’ll ensure that each end-product is an exact match to the agreed-upon proof.
• Microsoft Office suite (Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel):   Highly proficient/expert.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills:  You understand the importance of tone and how to communicate clearly, whether it’s over the phone, via email, or face-to-face.  You know how to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Customer service:  You have a positive approach and the ability to be flexible and capable of handling urgent matters in an effective manner.
• USPS:  You have a working knowledge of U.S. Postal Service regulations.
• Pricing and proposals:  You will be expected to analyze pricing, prepare proposals, and coordinate billing and postage reconciliations for assigned accounts.
• Printing experience:  You have a working knowledge of printing methods, data processing, personalization, and mail shop operations.  You are fluent in direct marketing and printing/mailing industry terminology.

What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?

• For a service-driven control freak, this job is irresistible – there are several “wins” at each stage of your project and an opportunity to create a satisfied client at every turn.
• This position is very much like running your own company within the company; we provide you with the support and resources to help you succeed.
• This is a leadership role within an organization with high standards.  We expect a lot and we give a lot – we will reward performance, and we support and encourage a work/life balance.
• You are trusted and your work is valued.  We encourage smart risk taking, and you’re encouraged to shine here.
• You’ll have lots of support – we work in close-knit teams where everyone will pitch in and help each other.
• You’ll work at a great location in Tysons Corner, close to the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall.

Employee Benefits

We have a highly competitive benefits package: full major medical/dental/vision insurance plans (coverage starts the first day of the month following your start date), life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, paid holidays, 10 days annual accrued vacation (for first two years; begin accruing 15 days per year at beginning of third year), option to carry 5 vacation days over per calendar year, 8 sick days, 2 personal days, optional flex-spending account, 401(k) plan, and health club reimbursement (up to $40/month for certified health clubs).

To Apply for the Account Manager position at Production Solutions:

This search is being managed by Jennie Kinsfather at Staffing Advisors.  Please forward your resume and cover letter to Jennie@StaffingAdvisors.com.

October 2007, the Direct Marketing Association initiated the Commitment to Consumer Choice (CCC) to encourage the direct mail community to become more responsible in this regard. The CCC mandates that you notify your consumers that they have the option to modify or eliminate future mail solicitations altogether. If you are a member of the DMA, your organization must abide by this regulation as of October 2009!

There are a lot of questions you have, no doubt, regarding the impact of this mandate – how it affects a renewal compared to an acquisition mailing, for example. The DMA website www.dmaccc.org addresses all of your questions and more. There is no one distinct verbiage that needs to be included, as long as the message is clear. Some of the suggested options are as follows:

• If you wish to reduce the amount of mail you receive from us, please visit our website at www.yourwebsite.com/consumerchoice
• We make a portion of our mailing list available to reputable organizations that may interest you. If you prefer that we not exchange your name with other marketers, or if you wish to modify future mailings from us, please call xxx.xxx.xxxx or go to www.yourorganization.org/customerservice.
• We believe in doing our part to help the environment, and we know many Americans feel the same way. To view our environmental practices and policies or to modify or eliminate the amount of mail you receive from us, go to www.yourorganization.org/environment.

If a member of the DMA doesn’t appear to be upholding this measure, the organization will be contacted and asked for immediate compliance. While there doesn’t appear to be any punitive fees for noncompliance, unanswered requests to adhere to the CCC could potentially cause suspension or expulsion from the DMA. If you have any questions about how you can best include this information in your campaigns, please don’t hesitate to look to PS for help!