James Brickler
Panera, LLC
Fenton
2027
years of professional experience
Results-driven leader specializing in strategic sourcing and execution of in-store signage programs, packaging, and displays. Develops and implements business strategies, optimizes processes, and enhances team performance. Drives measurable outcomes through effective collaboration and problem-solving, fostering a productive team culture.
Work History
Director, Print Production
3 Years 7 Months- Leads Panera’s Print Production and Logistics team within Marketing. Led a team of seven to procure, produce, deliver on time, and execute all print production projects for 2,250+ restaurant locations.
- Actively Manage $ 5MM annual budget. Responsible for $ 15MM annual spend. Lead monthly forecast and accruals process. Provide leadership updates as needed.
- Subject matter expert for print production & logistics including printing equipment, technology, substrates, vendor capabilities, contracts, and packaging in cross-functional efforts.
- Own key print production vendor relationships ensuring Panera is well supported and SLA’s are met. Manage and mine vendor relationships to increase efficiency, reduce production & shipping costs and waste. Review and negotiate contracts with print vendors, facilitate RFP events and evaluate pricing and service levels to strengthen sourcing strategy for printed materials.
- Actively partner with Creative Design team (and agency partners) to develop realistic timelines and processes to deliver art on time for production.
- Develop innovative POP/print solutions to support programs (ex. gift card sales, loyalty programs, recurring revenue, and new cafe formats). Bring innovation mindset to the team.
- Work closely with Café Development to ensure quality outcomes with our vendors, innovate on new ideas and ensure brand integrity.
- Develop strategic plans to elevate the guest experience, reduce POP complexity and deliver cost savings. Drive improvements in system/infrastructure (ex. Profiles, Search, Automation) to reduce timelines and improve ease of execution and accuracy.
- Oversee efforts to ensure accurate and on-time delivery of all printed materials. Clearly communicate timelines internally (Support Center, Company and Franchise leadership and cafes).
- Improve cost-effectiveness print materials & logistics by exploiting new technologies, materials, and equipment as they become available.
Senior Manager, Print Production
5 Years- Led development, production, delivery, and execution of indoor/outdoor signage, packaging, displays, and fixtures for project managers in Marketing and other departments. Managed direct reports and vendor relationships.
- Maximize ROI of existing program materials by consolidating shipping, reducing obsolescence, and improving execution. Simplify marketing operations for GM's and AOP's by providing clear direction and access to reference materials, online re-orders and Brand execution standards.
- Mine relationships with vendors to increase efficiency, reduce production & shipping costs and waste while navigating continued deadline-compression and complexity. Facilitate RFP events and negotiate payment terms and other cost structure elements with vendor partners.
- Develop and mentor direct reports. Challenge direct reports to seek out opportunities to take on more responsibility and ownership of their roles.
- Provide guidance, support, and leadership and ensure a positive work environment and a balanced workload.
- Plan, manage and track the 5 budget lines that our team is responsible for. Provide supervisor with updated forecasts and program spend information for Celebration and off-cycle programs.
Manager, Print Production
5 Years- Managed efforts between internal project leaders and vendor partners to ensure accurate and on-time delivery of in-store signage, packaging and displays supporting 2000+ cafe locations.
- Provide consultation and guidance to other departments outside Marketing regarding vendor selection, materials and substrates, and logistics. Work with Process Improvement and department leaders to facilitate transition to new vendors.
- Work with vendors and internal stakeholders to determine physical attributes of new print material. Improve cost-effectiveness of new and existing POP, packaging and other print material by exploiting new technologies, materials and equipment as they become available.
- Supervise the maintenance of updated and accurate graphics and inventory items through proper art file archival, tracking and reporting and weekly re-orders in order to ensure availability of stock items to cafes. Reduce obsolete inventory and control costs by optimizing inventory levels of stock items, Celebration and seasonal materials and hardware.
Account Executive
- Responsible for new business development and the acquisition of new accounts, maintenance of existing accounts, and providing clients with value added solutions and ideas that are cost effective and utilize Nova's core competencies.
- Responsible for new business development and the acquisition of new accounts, maintenance of existing accounts, and providing clients with value added solutions and ideas that are cost effective and utilize Nova's core competencies.
- Presented product concepts and offerings to clients based on established specifications and preferences.
- Drove new business development through qualifying leads, building relationships, and executing strategic sales.
Sales Representative
2 Years- Establish, maintain, and manage new and existing commercial printing accounts by developing trusting relationships with clients in the St. Louis area.
- Give objective, customer focused advise on all aspects of print production from design, layout, file preparation, press, and bindery.Provide outstanding customer service, professional expertise, and cost saving solutions for my clients.
Account Executive (Print Broker)
5 Years- Established and managed commercial printing accounts in Saint Louis and Midwest, enhancing client relationships and service delivery.
- Maintained 75+ vendor relationships with sheetfed and web-offset printers, fulfillment and mail service providers, and bindery and finishing houses to ensure optimal project execution.
- Oversaw all elements in print production; meeting deadlines, trafficking, press-checks and working within a budget.
- Educated graphic designers and support staff on the creation and transfer of print-ready files to eliminate additional costs and improve the overall quality of the finished product.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Graphic Arts
Skills
Print production SME
Team Leadership
Team Building & Optimization
Marketing Project Management
Print Vendor Management
Budget forecasting
Contract negotiation
RFI/RFP creation
Scope analysis
Freight Optimization
Accomplishments
Through a combination of improved campaign planning and re-engineered materials, I saved Panera $ 1.6MM in freight costs in 2025. This allowed us to support a significant increase in test projects and bring back high impact POP displays like lobby standees and Holiday gift card merchandising.
In 2021, I led the execution of an RFP that secured contracts with two of the industries largest print suppliers. This allowed us to drive efficiency by consolidating freight, leverage economies of scale and automate previously manual processes with new technology.
Timeline
Director, Print Production
Panera, LLC
01.2023 - CurrentRead More
Senior Manager, Print Production
Panera, LLC
01.2018 - 01.2023Read More
Manager, Print Production
Panera, LLC
01.2013 - 01.2018Read More
Sales Representative
Midtown Printing, Inc.
01.2010 - 01.2012Read More
Account Executive (Print Broker)
Creative Printing Services Inc
01.2004 - 01.2009Read More
Account Executive
Nova Marketing
2012 - 2013Read More
College of the Ozarks
Bachelor of Arts from Graphic Arts
Read More