On-Site Artwork Project Manager, Packaging

SGS & Co and SGK are united as SGX, providing packaging graphics, plate and cylinder production, and metal deco services. The role manages the full lifecycle of packaging artwork projects for a leading snack brand, coordinating timelines, workflows, client communication, prepress, quality control, and commercialization activities.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee end-to-end workflow of packaging artwork from a highly detailed perspective
• Collaborate with team leaders to ensure client expectations are managed regarding scope and progress in schedule and budget
• Manage high-volume project timelines, facilitate planning and related task management
• Oversee and communicate key timelines and priorities
• Act as a liaison between management, internal departments, and clients to troubleshoot problems and provide solutions
• Partner and collaborate with internal teams in a positive, professional, and constructive way
• Ability to manage and engage in pre-production calls with the support of technical print production managers
• Translate client instructions into measurable and effective communication to all necessary end-users
• Lead/participate in meetings as needed to review active projects and action items
• Create, manage and communicate project timelines and submission deadlines
• Manage extremely tight, sensitive timelines as needed with clear communications on any barriers and timeline risks managing client expectations
• Manage projects in workflow tool, monitor routing approvals
• Supervise and lead to help other members of team learn best practices regarding project management and communication
• Have a working knowledge of the workflows for packaging production and complex execution, understanding how to adjust to each component’s needs
• Demonstrate critical and strategic thinking skills, and be solution-oriented and flexible in your approach
• Develop, improve and streamline workflow processes
• Set up projects and approvers in workflow tool, onboard new users as needed
• Optimize project organization to improve quality
• Create Estimates and Manage POs on behalf of project assignment
• Verify technical and content in supplied art is correct
• Refine and enforce quality control processes in each project
• Set clear expectations for tasks and deliverables, communicating clearly to team and providing proper materials/documentation when necessary
• Report production issues and be actively involved in the continuous improvement of tools and processes
• Take corrective action if anomaly is detected during the delivery
• Be proactive, anticipate risks
• Advise and guide production group on brand’s best practices
• Efficiently monitor color quality of initial production, timelines and implement corrective actions
• Nurture good relationships with clients, develop trust and stay alert to potential business opportunities
• Provide quality service by anticipating clients’ needs and regularly measuring satisfaction
• Demonstrate good judgment in choosing methods of communication that are most effective and efficient (i.e., team meetings, in-person visits, phone calls, email)

Requirements:

• Microsoft Office experience required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of artwork management systems
• Able to work effectively and efficiently towards goals in a complex, diverse environment with multiple and changing demands
• Comfortable with interacting with clients of all levels, printers and suppliers
• Must be forward thinking and improvement driven
• Previous experience in customer service and/or project management and/or Project Management Certification a plus
• Experience in packaging, artwork, creative project management, some knowledge of print, production, design, art industry, pre-press, color management theory is also beneficial for this role
• Fully conversant with Adobe CS or Adobe certification is a plus
• Entry level role - the equivalent of 2-3 years of experience preferred