Packaging Print Production Specialist

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country
# 159474 - Topeka, Kansas, United States

Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health.

If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team!
 

 

The Packaging Print Production Specialist will be responsible for managing various tasks related to image management, color strategy, print quality, and internal mechanical proofing for the DE Team at Hill's. This role requires advanced communication and organizational skills to handle multiple packaging projects, prioritize competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with individuals across different levels within Hill's design team, engineering, DE, and external pre-media and print vendor teams.

 

Principal Responsibilities:

• Clearly comprehend the requirements and specifications of each packaging project.
• Develop comprehensive pre-production documents outlining project details, requirements, and timelines.
• Collaborate with the Design Execution Manager (DEM) to develop and implement color strategies tailored to each project's needs.
• Oversee the pre-media scatter process, ensuring accurate and efficient distribution of project materials to relevant stakeholders.
• Evaluate image proofs against design intent proofs to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Offer clear and constructive feedback to pre-media vendors based on the review of proofs, facilitating adjustments as necessary.
• Evaluate Ink Drawdowns, Spot to Process builds, and final printed articles, providing feedback to external print partners and internal marketing team to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Generate finalized mechanical proofs using internal proofing equipment after obtaining approval.
• Verify and approve final mechanical proofs before dispatching them to the designated print partners for use in the printing process.
• Master the global file production process and use the BEAT workflow/soft proofing tool proficiently to support the Design Execution Manager.
• Coordinate and oversee BEAT reviews, using advanced knowledge of file production to assess mechanical proof accuracy and ensure alignment with brand standards.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in graphics, communications, business or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in advertising, prepress, or printing industry OR experience in printing and managing print vendors
• Experience collaborating and communicating with vendor partners and internal clients.

It is preferred: 

•  Experience in the Graphics Industry or Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.
•  Experience in a Corporate environment.
• Proficiency in Mac/PC environment and solid understanding of Adobe CS applications.
• Experience in database operations, including related and non-relational data systems (preferred).

Expected Areas of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Communication & Collaboration:

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with mastery of the English language.
Proficiency in spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure across various writing styles (creative, professional, technical).
Strong communication and collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders to include DEM, PPS, DE Process Management, internal Hill's team members (Marketing and Engineers), and external pre-media and print vendors.

• Technical Skills:

Understanding of color reproduction/management technologies.
Ability to execute color reviews of scatter images and provide accurate direction for retouching.
Understanding of dielines and interpretation of technical specifications used in all print methods.
Knowledge of key print methods (flexo, litho, rotogravure), ink drawdown process, spot to process builds, and ability to use a spectrophotometer.
Working knowledge of commercial packaging substrates and soft/hard proofing