Print Production Group (PPG) Project Manager I

Make a Difference in YOUR Career! 

Our vision is both simple and ambitious: to put our drinks on every table. 

We are the leading global independent beverage solutions provider. We serve a broad range of national and international retailers as well as Global, National and Emerging (GNE) brands. Our products are distributed worldwide from our production sites in Europe, North America, and Australia.  Although our own branding may not appear on the labels of the beverages we produce, there is a good chance you are reading this while sipping one of our drinks. 

Our ambition is to continually improve and it’s what keeps us at the top of our game.  We are solutions-based.  We are innovative.  We seek out new challenges and conquer them.  This is our company ethos, but it’s our people’s too: Refresco is at the cutting edge of a fast-moving industry because we have passionate people pushing the boundaries of what’s best. 

Stop and think: how would YOU put our drinks on every table? 

Summary Description:

• Print Production Group, (PPG), is the category expert for maintaining high quality, regulatory compliant, on time execution of all printed product packaging for Refresco North America. PPG is the conductor guiding each packaging component through the stages of print production within the commercialization process, providing technical expertise and project management services throughout, resulting in the highest quality packaging in the beverage industry. PPG embraces Refresco’s five core values: entrepreneurial, agile, passionate, responsible and excellence.
• Reporting to the Process Execution Manager, the PPG Project Manager 1 manages efficient print production workflows and developing timely, consistent communication with Design, Commercialization, Customers, Separation/Plate Making/Print vendors for all North American product launches or revisions of printed packaging components produced on Refresco manufacturing lines. This includes interaction with external customer packaging teams, external design firms, separation and print vendors, commercialization managers, account managers and design team members.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supports Commercialization and Procurement Teams so each project initiative is efficiently prioritized within the PPG workflow, based on Top Refresco Accounts and priority projects. Appropriately challenges new project assignments and works fairly independently without manager intervention for setting and maintaining priorities and meeting deadlines. Works with a sense of urgency and focus on the company’s top priorities and initiatives.
• Account Responsibilities for PM1: The PM1 is responsible for about 10 active accounts including primary ownership of their assigned Top Refresco Accounts (2 to 3 at the lower end of the tier) with a PM2 as the secondary on each account as needed. These top accounts will consume the most man hours, utmost financial responsibility and management expectations in order to satisfy our most important customers. The PM1 learns to manage their Top Refresco Accounts to understand the full PPG workflow process, learning the most efficient techniques to prioritize and to develop good vendor communication skills, relying on the PM2 for additional mentoring.
• Independently gather relevant preliminary information, review ACE project notes and input all initial project information into PPG Database.
• Initiates PPG Artwork setups from ACE assignments and creates new project tasks in PPG Database. Initiate work orders, audit artwork proofs, coordinate internal/external art reviews, coordinate execution of revisions, secure all required approvals, facilitate transfer of art files to vendors. Maintains project status and updates throughout the life of the project. With guidance from PM2, as needed, proactively seeks out information gaps with responsible stakeholders to maintain project momentum.
• Performs ACE tasks for PPG Reviews and adds Prepress Costs for their assigned accounts in a timely manner. Proficient with creating POs in SAP and with, guidance from PM2, secures additional vendor quotes for ACE prepress task.
• Develops and maintains strong vendor relations with all Refresco print vendors, separators, graphic suppliers, etc. Key participant in ongoing development of relationships with vendors and makes thoughtful contributions to the project discussions as knowledge of industry and vendor capabilities increase. Communicates project timing and deadline expectations with existing vendors for assigned accounts and ACE projects.
• Print Production Consultant for CoPack projects. With guidance and continued exposure to CoPack projects, co