Artwork Production Specialist

Artwork Production will manage packaging artworks E2E for EU, mainly local brand operationally means managing artworks from adaptive design, release to print and pack image album assets.

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the creation and approval of packaging artwork from design lock, 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 also working within a multifunctional and sometimes multinational project team to deliver projects on time, in full. 

The position must interface with internal teams (such as Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, e-Commerce) who provide master design files and pack content, and also external partners (print management agencies, design agencies, printers, etc) who deliver the work in the form of mechanical artwork, pack image albums and printed packaging.

As artwork production, they will 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 process. There is also a responsibility to manage the creation of digital pack images and hero images for various channels and touchpoints internally and externally in an ever more digital and connected world.

Il. Position Responsibilities (Expected Work)

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. 

Understand the Category and Brands you are working on, Brand DNA & guidelines and plans, priorities and volume per year. 

Collaborate with marketing and design agencies at the design phase, providing 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 with guidance from the senior APS’s in the team.

Accountable for the daily and operational Artwork activities

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.

Work closely with the cross functional team and the external agencies, managing 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 together with guidance from the senior Artwork Production Specialist.

Approve color standards (1st press pass) if not covered by the print management agency and distribute to the relevant parties if required.

Ill. Challenges

Coordinating some projects simultaneously; working with various cross-functional team members as well as multiple external stakeholders at the same time

Work through multi-cultural environment and people / partners in many different countries.

Managing artwork in a continuously changing environment, where timelines are always tight and artwork is always on the critical path for delivery. Delivering this on time and efficiently.

Working with a process and online system that requires discipline from others 

Managing the external vendor’s compliance within agreed lead time and quality of delivery, compliance to rate card and processes, particularly when they are not co-located in the same country

Functioning as a artwork contact and business partner to Marketing and other functional teams from design to artwork to print phase of the process.

Manage and report on print management agencies performance based on Unilever evaluation criteria.

IV. Scope

The scope of the role covers adaptive design, artwork, print management and digital image creation responsibilities.

This position can be responsible for a couple of brands at the same time. This may be across market clusters or countries, mostly local brands. 

There is no central time zone and therefore the position may have to work in several different environments.

The individual must also coordinate multiple external vendors, also possibly within other time zones. 

This will require interaction with many departments to manage all projects as per the artwork process. 

V. Skills (what) & Competencies (how)

Key Competencies:

Good Communication skills 

Ability to build collaborative relationships 

Hold people accountable

Good organizational awareness

Influencing people

Negotiating skills

Business Partner mindset (not Customer Service)

Key Professional Skills:

One to Two years’ experience in artwork management or a similar role, which may include: print production, print management, graphic design, packaging development and or supply management, etc. 

Key General Skills:

Project Management

Highly computer-literate

Fluent English

Intercultural Awareness