Hi guys
I've worked at a sign company for almost a decade. I started as a graphic designer and gravitated towards the responsibilities that encompass the role of a production manager. So I've asked for a raise/promotion into this role officially. I also attached a few iob examples of “production manager in the signage industry” so they have undeniable proof this is the job I am currently undertaking.
It's a family owned business and the owners/managers are brother and sister. The sister only works part time as she has 3 kids and can only do minimal hours each week. The brother works pretty hard, but still has the luxury to make his own hours being the owner. He is known as the production manager but doesn't actually do this job. He actually does the sales/quotes/inspections/site measures.
I am still known as the graphic designer/production coordinator but the tasks I perform each day are as follows:
- grahic Design
- admin/emaila
- sales/quotes
- ordering all stock/stocktake/making sure materials are available to meet deadlines
- prepare print ready files
- operate the RIP software (for sending files to print)
- operate the large format printer / undertake cleaning and quality control of the printer
- design print environment profiles for efficient colour accuracy and print quality
- operate the vinyl plotter/cut the vinyl
- occasionally assist with table work/weeding of vinyls/applying application tape
- client communication
- coordinate our production team to ensure jobs are done on time
- assist the managers in understanding certain processes/materials so they can quote accurately
- high attention to detail
- Updating pricing of parts and products in our POS system and keeping it updated
- When ordering materials I actively attempt to save the company money by bulking up orders
- developed the artwork proofing systems
- developed and built the job scheduling systems
- schedule in-house table work to be done using this system.
- print and mark up job sheets and organise them for our production staff/signwriters so they have all necessary information on hand (this includes giving them specific instructions varying job to job and consolidating the information provided by the sales team into easy to understand job sheets for production staff to minimise/eliminate errors)
- work independently and as part of a team but I perform all my daily tasks autonomously without direction (operating considerable discretion)
And I'm sure there are more but this is the bulk of my daily responsibilities.
My title is currently “Graphic designer and production coordinator” but the production coordinator title is somewhat redundant as it was not official and was not given to me with a raise – it was simply added to my business card because, to quote my boss a few years back (this guy is now retired and was the dad of the current 2 managers) he said “we can't really add production manager to your business card because we can't have head office knowing you are doing a job that you're not getting paid for. So I think you can get away with adding hmm… Something like “production coordinator” instead”. For context, I had asked about my title and what I should put on my business card as it was confusing to me what I was doing in that job, and we were printing new cards at the time.
Ever since I asked for this raise (I'm awaiting the meeting with them) they have been showing clear signs of cronyism and/or nepotism.
They aren't qualified or trained in what I do and it's quite clear I should be paid accurately for the tasks I perform each day but they have been “upping their game” so to speak since I asked.
I think they think I'm a little delusional and can't see what's happening but it's quite clear they don't want to give me or can't afford the promotion so they are trying to gaslight me into feeling as though I don't deserve it. I'm the only one at the company that does and can do this job. I'm currently doing it (and have been for 5+ years) and being paid $30k less than it's worth in the city.
They have been working extra hard and doing more hours than usual. The brother has been involving the sister in things that she never used to be involved in and it's almost as if they are trying to “prove to me who the managers are” in order to regain the control they may feel they have lost.
They have been acting very strange and putting in more effort than I have seen in about 3-4 years, even before the pandemic and it only flared up after I asked for the promotion. I am someone who works autonomously and since then they have been writing me lists and trying to micro-manage me and it is the most demoralising feeling. It feels horrible, especially as 2023 will be my 10 years at the company and they haven't shown me any opportunities for professional growth, not even once. They used to tell me how much they appreciated me and recognise how much I did for the company with years of voluntary overtime when the team was very small etc. They haven't acknowledged my hard work in probably 4-5 years now. I understand they are my managers and they can shift their desire of how they work and how they co-ordinate their workers at any point in time, and I'm not trying to be arrogant or disrespectful here at all. I just feel shitty after being told and encouraged to work alone for so many years, doing just that to the point where I'm afraid to ask questions because it was driven so hard into my mind to never ask questions, and doing just that and operating by myself to the point where I am 10000% efficient in my role, and then to only have it snatched away from my when I bring up my desire for progression. It does not feel nice.
Any advice or just a conversation here would be appreciated. I feel like I'm going crazy and I'm doubting myself a lot.