Director Packaging Commercialization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Director, Studio Packaging leads the graphics, print-production and technical execution of packaging across Chobani and La Colombe, translating creative design intent into high-quality, commercially viable, production-ready packaging.

Packaging Studio Leadership & Operations

Lead the Packaging Studio team and the technical execution, approval and release of packaging graphics.

Develop artwork and production schedules so packaging materials arrive at plants in time to support uninterrupted production.

Establish priorities, workflows, documentation and systems that ensure quality and rigorous follow-through.

Lead and develop Studio team members and external resources.

Deep Technical Packaging Expertise

Deep knowledge of printing processes, prepress, color separations, trapping, registration, color matching and management, proofing, converting and finishing of printed materials for manufacture.

Expertise evaluating production artwork and hard proofs, including color separations, color reproduction, ink usage, trapping, typography, registration and overall print quality.

Strong knowledge of PET, PP, films, paperboard, labels, sleeves and cartons, and how materials and print processes affect graphics and commercial production.

Broad working knowledge of vessel development, manufacturing lines and production environments, with the ability to visualize how fully developed packaging will run through manufacturing, including date/lot coding, vision systems, pallet patterns and other production requirements.

Strong understanding of commercialization and scale-up from concept, prototype and comp through trials and commercial volume.

Deep knowledge of regulatory labeling, claims and compliance requirements as they affect packaging graphics, artwork development and production.

Working knowledge of packaging sustainability and recycling, including how substrates, inks, coatings, adhesives, colorants and construction affect recyclability, sorting and production.

Identify technical risk early in design, raise concerns and escalate before issues become costly production problems.

Exercise sound judgment in deciding when press approval is required and lead approvals for new, challenging, high-profile or higher-risk packaging.

Balance design intent and quality with timing, cost, risk and continuity of supply.

Quality, Innovation & Commercialization

Lead a Print Quality Management (PQM) program across suppliers, materials and finished packaging.

Partner with Product Development and Engineering on trials involving new printers, substrates, dielines, coatings, cut lengths, adhesive patterns, materials and print processes.

Support innovation and sustainable packaging initiatives, new ink systems, cap and resin colors, prototyping, comps, mock-ups and commercialization.

Support plant initiatives requiring graphics and print expertise, including printed features used by vision systems and other quality controls.

Artwork Governance & Cross-Functional Leadership

Provide final Studio technical approval of packaging artwork and production files, ensuring approved design intent and production standards are met.

Partner with Program Management and cross-functional teams through the company's online packaging approval and routing system.

Maintain rigorous organization, documentation and follow-through so nothing important falls through the cracks.

Serve as a trusted technical partner across Creative, Product Development, Engineering, Procurement, Quality, Operations, Regulatory and manufacturing.

Educate internal teams and outside design agencies on printing, materials, color, capabilities, limitations and risks.

Maintain strong technical relationships with printers and production partners; Procurement retains commercial ownership.

Participate in Procurement-led Supplier Relationship Management reviews.

Qualifications

10+ years in packaging graphics, print production, prepress, packaging production or related disciplines.

Deep expertise in commercial printing, color management, color separations, proofing, converting/finishing, substrates and production artwork.

Experience reviewing hard proofs, printed packaging and leading press approvals.

Highly organized and buttoned up, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to keep complex work from falling through the cracks.

Confident identifying risk, raising a flag when necessary and escalating at the right time to prevent costly mistakes.

Success in This Role

Success means packaging looks like the approved design, reproduces consistently, performs successfully in production, meets quality standards, and arrives at plants when needed to keep production running.