Packaging Production Designer - Contractor

Central Garden & Pet; Georgia; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet is seeking a detail-oriented Packaging Production Designer - Contractor to support production-ready packaging assets across multiple brands. You will prepare print-ready files, ensure brand consistency, manage revisions, and coordinate with marketing, sourcing, regulatory, and external print vendors.

The ideal candidate has strong production design expertise, in-depth knowledge of packaging workflows, prepress standards, and meticulous file management in a fast-paced, hybrid

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of packaging production or production design experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Production Design, Packaging Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, pet, lawn & garden, or consumer products industries.
• Familiarity with regulatory packaging requirements and barcode management.
• Knowledge of packaging materials and printing methods including flexographic, offset, digital, and gravure printing.
• Experience using project management or DAM systems.
• Include link to portfolio when submitting the application.

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and maintain packaging production files for a wide range of products and formats, including cartons, labels, shrink sleeves, corrugate, displays, inserts, and manuals.
• Prepare accurate print-ready mechanicals and production artwork in compliance with vendor and printer specifications.
• Ensure packaging files meet brand standards, regulatory requirements, and production timelines.
• Manage version control, routing, revisions, and asset organization across multiple concurrent projects.
• Collaborate with Brand, Marketing, Regulatory, Product Development, and Sourcing teams to execute packaging updates and launches.
• Work closely with external agencies, printers, and suppliers to troubleshoot artwork and production issues.
• Review proofs and color separations to ensure accuracy prior to production.
• Support packaging optimization and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain packaging archives, templates, dielines, and production documentation.
• Assist with image retouching, typography adjustments, and layout refinements as needed.
• Ensure all deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.

Skills

Adobe Creative Suite

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Prepress knowledge

Color management

Packaging dielines

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field

Tools

DAM systems

Project management tools

Job description

Job Description

Description

Central Garden & Pet is seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized Packaging Production Designer - Contractor to support the execution, production, and maintenance of packaging assets across multiple brands and product categories. This role is responsible for preparing accurate, print-ready packaging files, ensuring brand consistency, managing revisions, and collaborating cross-functionally with marketing, brand, sourcing, regulatory, and external print vendors.

The ideal candidate has strong production design expertise, exceptional attention to detail, and deep knowledge of packaging workflows, prepress standards, and file management

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create, update, and maintain packaging production files for a wide range of products and formats, including cartons, labels, shrink sleeves, corrugate, displays, inserts, and manuals.
• Prepare accurate print-ready mechanicals and production artwork in compliance with vendor and printer specifications.
• Ensure packaging files meet brand standards, regulatory requirements, and production timelines.
• Manage version control, routing, revisions, and asset organization across multiple concurrent projects.
• Collaborate with Brand, Marketing, Regulatory, Product Development, and Sourcing teams to execute packaging updates and launches.
• Work closely with external agencies, printers, and suppliers to troubleshoot artwork and production issues.
• Review proofs and color separations to ensure accuracy prior to production.
• Support packaging optimization and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintain packaging archives, templates, dielines, and production documentation.
• Assist with image retouching, typography adjustments, and layout refinements as needed.
• Ensure all deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong understanding of print production, prepress processes, color management, and packaging specifications.
• Experience working with packaging dielines and print vendors.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Skills & Competencies

• Packaging production expertise
• File preparation and prepress knowledge
• Strong typography and layout skills
• Attention to detail and quality control
• Project management and prioritization
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting
• Time management and organizational excellence
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• 3-5+ years of packaging production or production design experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Production Design, Packaging Design, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, pet, lawn & garden, or consumer products industries.
• Familiarity with regulatory packaging requirements and barcode management.
• Knowledge of packaging materials and printing methods including flexographic, offset, digital, and gravure printing.
• Experience using project management or DAM systems.
• Include link to portfolio when submitting the application.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Fast-paced collaborative environment supporting multiple brands and product lines.
• A combination of independent production work and cross-functional team collaboration.
• Occasional interaction with printers, packaging suppliers, and external partners.
• Currently work hybrid schedule in Atlanta office

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion,