interim Artwork Production Specialist

Unilever; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer goods company located in Greater London is looking for a Project Manager for Artwork Processes. The role involves overseeing the creation and approval of packaging artwork, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, and managing multiple projects effectively. This is a full-time temporary role, offering a salary up to £48,000 per annum, pro rata based on experience, with a mix of remote and on-site working options.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing artwork processes, specifically within project management.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working in a multinational team environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the creation and approval of packaging artwork from design to print.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure quality artwork delivery.
• Lead pre-production meetings with various stakeholders involved in artwork production.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Ability to build collaborative relationships

Negotiating skills

Strong Project Management

Business Partner mindset

Highly computer-literate

Fluent English

Job description

The APS requires to drive the efficiency along the design and artwork chain within the artwork projects they manage. They should drive this efficiency with the focus on the cooperation with Unilever internal functions. Therefore, the APS must have a certain experience in deploying this artwork expert role within Unilever, being able to independently closely work together with the Unilever functions who deliver the artwork data input.

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 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 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.

Key Requirements

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to build collaborative relationships
• Hold people accountable
• Good organisational awareness
• Strong at influencing
• Negotiating skills
• Business Partner mindset (not Customer Service)

Key General Skills

• Strong Project Management
• Highly computer‑literate
• Fluent English

The position is based at Blackfriars on London's Victoria Embankment, just a short walk from Blackfriars tube. This is a full‑time temporary role to last until the end of July 2026 requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £48,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.