Artwork Production Specialist

Job Main Purpose:

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the creation and approval of
packaging artwork from design through to commercially reproducible mechanical
artwork and separations which are handed over to the printer in a timely
manner.
This person will be responsible for initiating and managing projects using the
artwork management system and working within a multifunctional and sometimes
multinational project team to deliver projects on time, in full.
The position must interface with various internal teams (such as Marketing,
Regulatory, Legal, R &D, Supply Chain, Quality, CMI & Digital marketing
commerce teams) to collect and collaborate information on the master design
toolkit and all related data needed to create the packaging artwork.
This position also requires a strong business interface with external partners
(print management agencies, design agencies & printers) to deliver the work in
the form of mechanical artwork, digital and printed packaging.

Job Responsibilities:

The incumbent should be able to provide expertise and input into the design,
artwork, and print phases of the project to ensure that the right levels of
approval integrity, brand quality and consistency are maintained throughout
the artwork process and supplier printing processes. There is also a
responsibility to manage the creation of digital pack images, hero & pack
plus images for various channels and touchpoints internally and externally in
an ever more digital and connected world. This position will require strong
leadership skills and the ability to work with peers and stakeholders across
all levels which may include (but not limited to) presenting on OKRs at PTMs
and BTMs, leading artwork or design, leading VIP/harmonization/simplification
projects to demonstrate savings, attending management meetings and/or
presenting at relevant BG LT forums. The incumbent must be able to lead change
management, demonstrate improvement in ways of working and be able to spot
areas of opportunity across functions to improve business efficiencies.
* Be the owner of the artwork process, roles and responsibilities and being able to translate how to fit this into the innovation project management process to deliver projects on time and in full.
* Be the Artwork Business Partner for the Business, Brand DNA & guidelines and plans, priorities, and volume per year.
* Managing stakeholders within the cross functional teams within the artwork projects the APS works on
* Collaborate with marketing and design agencies at the design phase, providing expert guidance and technical inputs to ensure that the design is technically printable before the artwork is routed for internal approval.
* Set-up and run pre-production meetings bringing together design agencies, print management agencies, printers, and internal stakeholders to ensure that quality and consistency is maintained from artwork to print phase of the process.
* Ensure that master design files are created according to prescribed toolbox specifications and handed over to the print management agencies correctly, and that the printed artwork matches the design requirements,
* Work with marketing to ensure visibility on artwork cost and spend, and that the printed packaging is optimized for cost e.g., print process, number of colours etc
* Take accountability for delivery of mechanical artwork and separation files to printers, proactively manage issues if/as they arise.
* Create and manage projects in the internal artwork management system BLUE adhering to defined artwork process. Manage the delivery of digital pack images following Artwork Excellence process, to the right quality and on time.
* Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations for your tasks relating to status, timings, and technical expertise.
* Ensure that the print management agency follows the approved rate cards and service level agreements, and that all responsible procurement/payment procedures are followed, in line with company policy.
* Approve colour reliable proofs on behalf of marketing to ensure that the proof meets marketing's expectations.
* Sourcing of printer specifications and align them to the defined processes and ways of working.
* Approve colour standards (1st press pass) if not covered by the print management agency and distribute to the relevant parties if required.
* Coordinating multiple projects simultaneously.
* Work through multi-cultural environment and people / partners in many different countries.
* Cover adaptive design, artwork, print management, digital image creation.
* Responsible for several brands and categories at the same time. This may be across market clusters or countries.
* There is no central time zone and therefore the position may have to work in several different environments.
* Must coordinate multiple external vendors, also possibly within other time zones.
* Interaction with departments to manage projects as per the artwork process.

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Job Requirements & Qualifications:**
* Years of experience: ‎1 to ‎3 in Packaging artwork management or similar role in, which may include print production, print management, graphic design, packaging development, R&D, and or supply chain management, etc.
* Project Management experience essential.
* Holding others accountable
* Attention to details.
* Ability to embrace & manage change.
* Resilient with strong corporate code of conduct
* Strong communication skills & ability to build collaborative relationships.
* Good organizational awareness & Negotiating skills.
* Business Partner mindset (not Customer Service)
* Fluent written & spoken English.
* FMCG experience is a must.
* Self-motivated and able to work in absence of Line management.
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to
drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our
diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a
diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion
across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual
bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Thus if you require
any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time
of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment
journey.