Senior Artwork Production Specialist

Overview:
The primary purpose of this position is to lead the pack across the physical and digital world. This includes the management of the adaptive design process using agencies from the adaptive design roster. Working with the print management agency, leading the creation and approval of packaging artwork, including separations which are handed over to the printer in a timely manner. With the agency partners, lead the creation of CGI pack images, and orchestration of product content for the omnichannel environment using Unilever’s product management workflow system.

This person will be responsible for initiating and managing projects using the artwork management system and is responsible to oversee the production, storage and availability of artwork and pack images for usage through the digital channels. The Artwork production specialist will interact with internal teams (Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, E-commerce) who provide master design files and pack content, and external partners (print management agencies, design agencies, printers) who deliver the work in the form of mechanical artwork, pack image albums and printed packaging. The role will orchestrate data making it available for usage downstream in E-commerce environment and other channels.

As technical experts, the Artwork Production Specialist will provide expertise in the end to end management of the pack to marketing and E-commerce teams by taking responsibility for the creation of artwork and digital pack images to be used in various channels and touchpoints internally and externally in an ever more digital and connected world.

This role will also require a level of team leadership within a group, and stakeholder management of the portfolio of work, including presenting artwork projects and data at leadership forums. This role must demonstrate leadership of change management, improvement in ways of working and efficiency and how to execute and track this in the business. The senior artwork specialist must be able to lead global workstreams for Artwork Excellence, reporting back into the workstream leader or/and the Artwork Leadership team. Must have the ability to understand and get involved in activities beyond just Artwork e.g. E-commerce, digital, connected world, omnichannel environment, product content and management and purpose on pack.
**JOB SUMMARY**
- Understand the artwork process, roles and responsibilities and how to fit this into the innovation project management process to deliver projects on time and in full.
- Work with the Artwork Excellence Process team to identify improvements to the artwork process.
- Sharing experiences and taking the time to training other APS’s
- Present artwork updates at senior meetings as and when required, taking actions from these meetings.
- 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
- Takes a lead role to drive agency improvements to quality and efficiency for their portfolios and locations.
- Create and manage projects in the internal artwork management system adhering to Unilever’s 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 responsible procurement and payment procedures are followed, in line with company policy.
- Approve color 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.
- Work on global and regional continuous improvement programs for Artwork Excellence.
- Lead or participate in global workstreams representing categories or regions. Share and rollout expertise that is relevant to your experience or desire to learn and lead.
- Work with global Brand teams from Design to digital asset creation, and shares with Artwork