Description

JOB TITLE: Graphics Packaging Associate

REPORTING TO: Senior Manager, Graphic Services

LOCATION: Chicago

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is currently seeking candidates to join our team in Chicago!

Lactalis Group, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do.

If you’re looking for a unique experience with a company that offers strong brands, professional expertise, and a dynamic work environment that champions entrepreneurial spirit, hands-on responsibility, and real opportunity for career development, we want to hear from you!

Lactalis Heritage Dairy: inviting you to share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE.

From your PASSION to ours

The Graphics Packaging Associate will be responsible for 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 Associate 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.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Oversee packaging workflow for Lactalis brands, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Breakstone’s, and Knudsen.
• Obtain creative briefs, and file documentation from project requestors to convert a request to a live project in the project management system.
• Obtain new packaging resource numbers from our PCM (Project Commercialization Managers) for new or modified packaging requests.
• Obtain and release cost estimates for Marketing review and approval
• Enter PO documentation into project workflow and release approved PO documentation to pre-press house.
• Obtain PDF proofs from pre-press house, and route within project management platform, process approvals or changes required from cross functional channels Packaging Development, Quality Assurance, Legal, Manufacturing, and Marketing)
• Obtain HCP (Hard copy proofs) from print supplier, review, and approve
• Send notice: “FTP” (Files to Printer) email communication to pre-press house
• Send notice: “ATP” (Approved to Plate) email communication to internal channels, and print supplier
• Obtain first production run press samples for each print job; providing one copy to Marketing channel(s) for record keeping and filing the remainder for sample retention.
• Begin 3D render production: create order & submit to pre-press house
• Review 3D render proof: make final decision (approve or changes required)
• Manage the job jacket filing system for all packaging resources
• Manage the packaging project trackers, and annual roadmaps to ensure full visibility on all active, pending, and on-hold jobs being channeled through the project management system.
• Reduce color profiles within a given mechanical layout to ensure artwork received from Marketing, Graphic Services, external agencies fall within the current cost structure.
• Primary approver for electronic PDF approvals from packaging suppliers
• Primary approver for Hard Copy Colored Proofs from pre-press provider
• Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and wellbeing of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company’s overall performance and success.
• Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required.
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in graphic design, digital design, communication arts or equivalent.
• 1-3 years related experience in Graphic Design, Digital Design, Prepress, Press Production or equivalent.
• Candidate must have experience and/or training dealing with artwork, die-lines, graphics, and printing processes.
• Proven track record of successful brand or identity management.

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.

Specialized Knowledge

• Technical understanding/experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, Bridge, Acrobat) and a strong understanding of printing methods, techniques, and print production flexible film, rigid packaging (injection, thermoforming, shrink sleeve, IML, etc.) label, and corrugated printing.
• Previous experience working within the Workfront software systems or like, a plus
• Previous experience working within SAP systems or like, a plus

Lactalis Heritage Dairy is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.