Graphics Packaging Specialist

Lactalis USA is currently seeking candidates to join our team, located in Buffalo, NY.

Lactalis, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to nurturing the future by providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. We offer an enviable range of dairy brands including Galbani, President, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Parmalat, Siggi's, and Stonyfield Organic in addition to several brands imported from our affiliates in Europe.

At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a safe, diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.

From your PASSION to ours

The Graphics Packaging Specialist will be responsible for end-to-end project management of the packaging workflow, as well as acting as a liaison between Marketing channels, packaging vendors, and co-packers for new or existing artwork changes related to packaging feasibility. The Graphics Packaging Specialist will also be responsible for processing and communicating all new and modified artwork requests from Marketing & Manufacturing channels to the respective print supplier. This role supports innovation, renovation, and future expansion efforts with forward thinking, and technical insight.

We are recruiting for 2 positions, a full-time, permanent placement, and a full-time placement (estimated duration 2-years, with full benefit eligibility)

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

* Owning end-to-end project management of packaging workflow for Lactalis brands (Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Breakstone's, and Knudsen)

* Primary point of contact to receive creative briefs and asset documentation from project requestors to provide to pre-press house

* Request new packaging resource numbers from our Project Commercialization Managers for new or modified SKU's

* Review cost estimates to contracted price grid, and release for Marketing for final review and approval

* Reduce color profiles within a given mechanical layout to ensure artwork received from Marketing, Graphic Services, external agencies fall within the current cost structure.

* Enter PO documentation into project workflow and release approved PO documentation to pre-press house.

* Manage the routing of PDF Proofs in Workfront Proof for review, process approvals or changes required from cross functional channels

* Request HCP (Hard copy proofs) from print supplier, review color profiling, and registration before approving

* Primary approver for electronic PDF approvals from packaging suppliers

* Primary point of contact to release "FTP" (Files to Printer) email communication to pre-press house

* Primary point of contact to release "ATP" (Approved to Plate) email communication to internal channels, and print supplier

* Manage the first production run retains from print supplier, to ensure targets have been achieved, and samples are on file for auditing purposes.

* Owning end-to-end project management of 3D render production

* Review/approve all 3D render proofs in Adobe Workfront Proof.

* Manage the job jacket filing system for all packaging resources

* Manage the packaging project trackers, and annual roadmaps to ensure full visibility for operational plans.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

* Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design (communications, pre-press, production) or equivalent.

Experience

* 5+ years related experience in graphic design, prepress, print production or equivalent. Candidate must have experience and/or training dealing with packaging graphics, die-lines, and printing processes.

* Client/agency experience a plus.

* Proven track record of successful brand or identity management.

Specialized Knowledge

* Strong understanding/experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat).

* Strong understanding of printing methods/techniques (flexographic, rotogravure, dry offset, etc.).

* Experience working within Project Management platforms (specifically Adobe Workfront)

* Solid understanding/knowledge in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power point).

* Outstanding written and verbal communication and abilities to manage multiple projects

* Attention to detail, highly organized and excellent follow through.

Skills / Abilities

* Highly organized with experience managing multiple projects and priorities while managing workflow in a deadline driven and service-focused environment.

* Able to multi-task and adapt to changing circumstances in a busy environment while maintaining a creative approach to solving design challenges.

* Strong interpersonal skills including ability to maintain strong professional relationships with a diverse range of groups, and associates in different locations.

* Excellent problem-solving skills.

* Attentive to detail.