Project Lead, Production Services

Edgewell is a global team of over 6,800 visionaries, doers and makers. Our secret is people, and we have an inspiring and collaborative global force of them. Our portfolio of over 25 brands touches lives in more than 50 countries by making useful things joyful. Together, we reimagine good mornings and endless summers, strive for more sustainable ways to beautify and bond, and do it all with not only confidence but determination.

Position Summary

Coordination and Management of global packaging artwork for Edgewell branded businesses. Ensure artwork is graphically developed for Edgewell packaging via mechanical production, photography, prepress, digital renderings and print quality management.  The Project Lead supports initiatives as defined by Production Services Senior Manager. Manages with a moderate to high level of autonomy in support of specific branded businesses to ensure packaging artworks are developed, approved and executed through the Edgewell artwork packaging process. Ensure process procedures including timing of deliverables, the use of the Blue software management system and quality levels are maintained across all aspects of the production services function.

Provides direction to contractors in the execution of mechanical line extension ensuring project objectives and deliverables meet or exceed client expectations. Collaborate with premedia suppliers (prepress) for most technical aspects of packaging reproduction and color management. Provide guidance to internal and external business partners such as design agencies, printers and manages the flow of information to ensure timely delivery of materials for packaging decoration, print, digital product renders.

This opportunity will have a hybrid schedule of 3 times/week at our Shelton, CT headquarters

Essential Functions

• Management of packaging graphic on-site contractors to leverage quality graphics, digital images, photography and packaging deliverables for specific branded business.
• Guide Marketing associates in the understanding of the packaging artwork process in all its phases, associated lead times and yield of deliverables. 
• Prioritize, schedule and execute workflow process activities for branded projects – communicate with Marketing, Project and Program Management, Procurement, Planning, Premedia and Print Converters to ensure seamless execution of Edgewell packaging launch initiatives.
• Manage product photography and digital package renders in a bundled format containing multiple angle images for the brand and ecommerce team as a function of our workflows in BLUE
• Ensure contractors maintain and populate multiple formatted assets within the BLUE digital asset library including, mechanical artwork files, product photography, package renders, graphic elements, logos
• Provide technical guidance where possible
• Conduct regular pre-pro reviews with the print vendor base
• Define prepress requirements and assessment of prepress/color proofing based on the scope of project requirements
• Drive accuracy for optimal print results and package decorating performance
• Troubleshoot and minimize complexities
• Ensure print color standards process is maintained and integrated in the vendor base
• Press Approvals/vendor qualifications – attendance of press approvals as warranted

Strategic thinking

• Ensure continuity of brand requirements is maintained for various packaging forms in the portfolio
• Demonstrate judgment and sound rationale regarding the management of projects

Collaboration

• Effective project management of suppliers and contractor team.
• Collaborate with Design Agencies, Packaging Engineering, Marketing, Display and Purchasing in managing expectations of defined decoration methods

Presentation

• Ability to communicate print vendor capabilities to creative brand teams
• Ability to effectively communicate the understanding of production issues and provide recommendations and actionable plans for solutions

Organizational and planning

• Run most assignments independently except when technical and design support may be required from Production Services managers
• Be proactive in setting work priorities and managing workloads. 
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that project deadlines are maintained

Attention to detail

• Ensure Department SOP’s are followed
• Utilize best practices in artwork execution and print production
• Has a critical eye for production detail and the highest level of finish at all stages of the project development cycle.

Coaching

• Give clear and actionable feedback to contractors and suppliers
• Provide guidance to contractors and in support of associate brand Marketers

Required Skills and Experience

• 5 plus years’ experience in consumer goods packaging environment
• Bachelor's Degree
• Background in print graphics and communication and project management practices
• Knowledge of printing processes and decorating techniques, including packaging and commercial print production and prepress
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication, influencing skills, with ability to build relationships with cross functional teams
• Proficiency in a Mac environment, particularly the Adobe Creative Suite

Working Relationships

• Work collaboratively with business partners including:
• Global and Regional Marketing, Package Engineering, Regulatory, R&D, Legal, Trade Compliance
• Design Agency Partners, Printers, Pre-press/Freelance contractors
• Supply Planning, Quality, Purchasing, Program Management
• Graphic software suppliers, Mac IT support

The salary range for this position is $76,000 - $114,000. Actual base salary offered to a candidate may vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance. 

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