Associate Program Manager - Packaging

Kendo Brands, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Kendo Holdings, Inc., based in San Francisco, seeks a packaging artwork project manager to drive creative development for two brands. You will ensure on-time delivery from concept to final artwork, coordinating with regulatory, production and product development teams in a fast-paced beauty environment.

The role requires strong communication, organization and multitasking in a hybrid SF office setting, with some remote work and tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• BA degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• 2+ years of project management experience in retail or agency.
• Proficient knowledge of computer programs: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Asana, Workfront Proof SmartSheets
• Retail or beauty experience preferred
• Exceptional communication skills, both written & verbal
• Solid organizational skills, detail‑oriented; time management skills, ability to juggle priorities

Responsibilities

• Manage packaging artwork development and delivery from concept through final execution.
• Maintain project timelines and bi-weekly status meetings; resolve blockers.
• Upload and route artwork in ProofHQ and monitor changes.
• Coordinate with Regulatory & Compliance for EU artwork approval.
• Collaborate with Production Artists to approve samples.
• Participate in weekly Product Development & Operations meetings.
• Track requests for photo shoots and Market Week.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Relationship building

Adaptability

Education

BA degree or equivalent

Tools

Asana

Workfront

ProofHQ

SmartSheets

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Kendo Holdings, Inc. is a San Francisco-based beauty brand developer and wholesaler owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury group. A play on the words “can do”, Kendo has become the hub of creativity and next generation beauty product development for global Sephora channels and selective retailers outside of Sephora.

Through original development, collaborations and acquisitions the Kendo stable of brands will always be creative, inspiring and innovative. A dynamic engine of speed, expertise and market-savvy, the Kendo team continues to redefine the beauty industry through great product, great storytelling, great retail and direct-to-consumer partnerships. This shows up in everything we do and in what we stand for:

• “Can Do” Spirit: We work together to make our wildest dreams a reality: As entrepreneurs, we embrace optimism and find creative ways to reach our goals
• Advocacy, Diversity, and Inclusion: We recognize and celebrate the full spectrum of personal identities. We create safe spaces so everyone’s voice is heard. We listen with humility and act with courage.
• Storytelling: We tell authentic stories like no, one else. It’s our key to inspire trust and build relationships, rallying, our people, partners, and consumers around our brands.
• Resilience: We embrace challenges as opportunities. Change is ever- constant, and agility is our strength.
• Product Excellence: We put the consumers first: We constantly raise the bar to create products of the highest quality that everyone just has to have.

The salary range for this position is $81,900 - $94,300 per year. Offered salary is dependent upon experience and San Francisco location. This is a hybrid role based in our downtown San Francisco office – Tues through Thursday in‑office, with Monday and Friday remote.

Kendo Total Rewards offerings also include an annual bonus and a comprehensive benefits package including: medical, dental and vision insurance, flex paid time off program, parental leave, employee discount/perks, a retirement plan with employer contributions, Summer Fridays, opportunity to work from anywhere for two weeks during the calendar year and December wellness/shutdown week for applicable positions.

The Kendo house of brands currently includes: Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, Fenty Eau de Parfum, Fenty Hair, Ole Henriksen, Lip Lab.

SUMMARY

Independent self-starter responsible for managing the creative development of packaging artwork for two Kendo brands. Responsible for ensuring on‑time delivery of packaging artwork & deliverables throughout the creative process, from concept development through final execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages packaging creation and delivery process (70%):

• Assist in bi-weekly status meeting, keep team leads informed and discuss status for each project while establishing clear next steps resolving blocks that impede progress
• Upload and monitor individual project timelines through Asana
• Actively monitor schedules and follow‑up on internal copy/layout/mechanical due dates to ensure teams meet deadlines throughout lifespan of each artwork piece
• Follow up with team leads for missing packaging information (e.g., dielines, ingredient lists, copy, translations, UPCs, fill weight, etc.). Add dielines, ingredient lists, fill weights, UPCs to server.
• Work directly with Regulatory & Compliance team to track and confirm EU artwork approval
• Communicate projects to Production Artists & outline daily priorities
• Follow up on questions/approvals with internal teams
• Collaborate with Production Artist to confirm artwork releases & approvals of samples
• Actively participate in weekly Product Development & Operation meetings
• Track comp requests for photo shoots, Market Week, etc.

Manage artwork routing process (30%):

• Upload and route artwork in ProofHQ: ensure all questions are resolved & Production Artists are clear on changes
• Review/Check‑in artwork from Production Artists

REQUIREMENTS

• BA degree or equivalent experience preferred
• 2+ years of project management experience in retail or agency
• Proficient knowledge of computer programs: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Asana, Workfront Proof SmartSheets
• Retail or beauty experience preferred
• Exceptional communication skills, both written & verbal
• Solid organizational skills, detail‑oriented; time management skills, ability to juggle priorities
• Strong relationship‑building skills; ability to work with a variety of people in various disciplines
• Ability to work in a very fast‑paced environment & meet very tight deadlines
• The drive to excel & succeed; self‑motivated