RUTH ANN ARMSTRONG ad11nw@r.postjobfree.com

**** ******* *. *** #*** DALLAS, TEXAS 75287

972-***-****[C]

PRINT PRODUCTION, DIRECT MAIL & PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL MANAGER Experienced Print Production, Direct Mail & Promo Material Manager/Buyer seeking a challenging position on a successful team in the marketing field which utilizes my skill set of print buying, direct mail, contract negotiation, fiscal planning and budgeting, quality assurance, instore signage, promotional material, multi-color offset, rotogravure, laser, and flexographic printing.

STRENGTHS

Manage entire Retail Tab Insert budget in excess of $50MM+

Manage production of 33MM multi-page weekly newspaper Retail Tab Inserts for both National and Puerto Rico markets, production and mailing of 500k monthly catalog program, direct mail projects

Ensure quality of multiple print manufacturing divisions both US, Canada and in Puerto Rico markets through press checks and technical planning sessions

Saved company an average of $1MM dollars annually through contract negotiation, RFQ process and alternative processes.

Manage print production efforts for a range of marketing projects, including direct mail Catalogs, Postcards, and collateral.

Manage purchasing and production of promotional items for Grand Openings, annual General Sales Manager meetings, new program launches and in-store signage and displays.

Develop strategic print marketing plans for company retail program, training unit, corporate business to business unit, e-commerce, warranty program, and government business units.

Work closely with project managers, media department, traffic and both in house and outside creative agencies to ensure timely and effective delivery of services and materials.

Built extensive nationwide network of contacts in both the print and promotional premiums markets.

Provide educational seminars to in house creative department regarding print production methods, quality enhancement, and workflow improvements.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONTRACTOR W/THOMPSON HABIB DENISON

Production Manager – remote contractor (March 2022 – December 2022)

Uploaded files and downloaded data dumps and signoffs to and from various Production facilities via FileZilla to team members for approvals.

Proofed and approved Data and creative files for the following non-profit organizations: Habitat for Humanity Alzheimer’s Association Feeding America Make A Wish Fresh Air Fund Guiding Eyes for the Blind Autism Speaks Multiple Sclerosis Society Wounded Warrior Project Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Arthritis Foundation American Parkinson Disease Association Lung Cancer Research Foundation

CONTRACTOR W/DATA AXLE

Production Manager - onsite Contractor in Chicago, Ill & Milwaukee, WI

(Sept 2020 – Oct 2020, Sept 2021 – Nov 2021 & Sept 2023 – Nov 2023) Managed and produced for Large Medical Company’s open enrollment Medicare Direct Mailers

Printed approximately 55MM mailers with over 50 versions.

Responsibilities included press checks, data checks and postage reconciliation. BLEND 360, Dallas, Texas

Production Manager – onsite Contractor for Citi in Irving, TX (May 2019 – June 2020) Managed and produced the Monthly Direct Mail program for the Simplicity and Double Cash Credit Card program.

Responsibilities include placing the print jobs for pricing through the Citi PO portal and then providing the PO to the vendors via the PO portal, reconcile all invoices for payment and posting through the Invoice portal.

Maintaining the production schedule with all vendors per event

Performed audits with multiple versions for both programs that I managed.

CPP recording for budget reconciling.

LOGIC SOURCE, Irving, Texas

Print Procurement Manager – onsite Contractor for Michaels (Jan 2012 – August 2016) MICHAELS INC., Irving, Texas

Print Procurement Manager (September 2016 – January 2019) Managed and produced the Monthly Direct Mail program and quarterly Direct Mail Catalogs

Responsibilities included maintaining the print and postage budget.

Providing and maintaining the production schedule.

Working with the creative team to ensure all print spec and postal specs are met.

Researching and providing new direct mail formats. Managed the Quality Assurance Program for the weekly Circular along with providing back up for the Circular Procurement specialist who was responsible for budgets and schedules onsite at Michaels Arts & Crafts

Responsibilities included reviewing samples of multiple printed versions from multiple print facilities across the United States and Canada.

Worked closely with the in house Creative and Pre-Media team to review color proofs to assure color expectations will be met.

Communicated directly with the printer’s quality team weekly to address any concerns or special needs for upcoming events.

Managed and produced the Ad Sign program onsite at Michaels Arts & Crafts

Responsibilities included maintaining the print budget, providing, and maintaining the production schedule and researching and providing new formats to save the client money. In 2015 I provided a new format that would save the client $750K.

Managed and produced all of the Education Team Monthly Brochures and provided print and promotional material as needed onsite at Michaels Arts & Crafts

Responsibilities included maintaining the print budget, providing, and maintaining the production schedule and researching and providing new formats to save the client money. Managed and produced the multi weekly bag stuffer program onsite at Michaels Arts & Crafts

Responsibilities included maintaining the print budget, providing, and maintaining the production schedule and researching and providing new formats to save the client money. In 2014 presented the opportunity for Michaels to save up to $5,000 per event by shipping direct to stores, the bag stuffers with another weekly program, this change was made and is still in process at Michaels. Managed the Photography Budget for all photographs purchased and shot with an outside Photography studio.

Responsibilities included reviewing and approving all estimates, maintaining the budget, providing both monthly forecast and accruals to the finance team.

ANSIRA, Dallas, Texas

Print Production Manager (July 2008 – December 2011)

Managed and produced the Rent A Center Insert Program

Managed and produced the Baskin Robbins Point of Purchase elements for over 2,000 stores.

Managed and produced numerous bounce-back elements for Wendy’s and Dominos including Door Hangers, Bag stuffers, Window wraps and outdoor store signage.

COMPUSA INC., Dallas, Texas

Print Production Manager and Promotional Premium Buyer (August 2001- January 2008)

Manage and produce all printed and promotional material for a 6-billion-dollar electronics retail company with 246 stores.

Manage print budget of 50MM plus and vendor business relations and contract negotiations. Sr. Print Buyer and Promotional Premium Buyer (August 1998 – August 2001)

Manage and produce all printed and promotional material for the company. Graphic Designer (March 1997 – August 1998)

Designed a monthly multi-page direct mail catalog for the company.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Word, Excel & Power Point Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator EDUCATION

Applied Arts Degree in Graphic Design, Art Institute of Dallas - 1993, Dallas, Texas CONTINIUNG EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Print University – RR Donnelley, 1999 Reno, Nevada Manufacturing Division

Print University – Quebecor, 2004 & 2005 Dallas, TX Manufacturing Division

How to Buy Printing, Ink, Paper & Color–1998 & 1999 Rochester Inst. Of Technology, Rochester, NY

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