Freelance Print Project Manager Jobs in Naperville, IL

About the Role

The Project Manager is responsible for the management, organization, and control of key projects from inception to completion execution. Projects may range from new product launches, packaging design updates, regulatory changes, and customer maintenance. This fast-paced position will work with both internal and external stakeholders to facilitate successful deployment of projects, meeting strict deadlines and raising issues as needed. This role is key to meeting the organization’s goals for ensuring speed to market with a high degree of finesse and efficiency.

Key Accountabilities

• The PM is the quarterback of the team for his/her projects. The PM will lead, collaborate, and deliver the successful, and on time, execution of projects. This role is highly collaborative, working closely with Sales, R&D, Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, Quality, and others.

• For each project the PM will develop a project brief and roadmap to execute the project in the quickest possible time, meeting all the customer and consumer and internal expectations of the project.

• The PM will cross-train and back-up other PMs as necessary, learning the key players and execution processes for customers and/or plants that fall outside of their normal PM scope.

• He/she can see the big picture, while getting into the details and executing.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop detailed project briefs/roadmaps with defined timelines, dependencies, owner of activities and resource requirements

• Assign the project team and work with them to control project changes, minimize risk, and generate maximum team performance, keeping all accountable for their assigned work

• Effectively communicate project expectations to team members and stakeholders, and lead project update meetings, maintain timelines, resource utilization, and prepare project reports

• Manage and adjust team activities to meet key milestones

• Responsible for packaging reviewal and approval by QA/Maintenance/Ops

• Responsible for regulatory and artwork reviewal and approval process

• Managing QA verifications/validations/and customers processes

• Manage the equipment ordering/delivery/installation

• Work with procurement to get delivery dates on ingredients/packaging

• Manage delivery of ingredients/packaging

• Responsible for new item setup

• Manage tactical items such as product spec sheet, BOM, batch sheet/formula and UPC generation processes

• Responsible for codes dates/pallet tags/labeling

• Managing coordination of scheduling

• Oversee customer visits/trials

• Manage/adhere to customer expectation on external due dates for all aspects of the project which include new item set-up, design, QA and logistics

• Communication with customer on pre-production/production/shipping expectations

• Managing sample execution for customer

• Training on product and packaging components and spec review with operators, plant quality, line leads

• Responsible for launch day execution, coordinating with R&D, QA, and Production

• Liaison between consultants, graphics, suppliers, customer, and internal teams

• Identify and resolve conflict and mitigate issues quickly

• In the spirit of continuous improvement, conduct post completion project reviews to identify successes and opportunities, management effectiveness and project success

• Perform other related duties as assigned

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of this position.

Qualification and Requirements

• Minimum BA/BS required

• 3+ years of experience in project management or operational lead, within the food industry a plus

• Action oriented, with a strong attention to detail and creative problem-solving capabilities

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet aggressive deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Skilled in MS Office Applications

• Knowledge and experience with design companies, such as: Schawk, Equator, Sun Branding and Periscope

• Proficient with packaging die lines, printers, proofing while supporting cross-functional teams each key deliverable

Travel Required

· This position may travel between different manufacturing facilities as needed, all located within 30 min of each other and may need to be at more than one facility on the same day

· No overnight travel is required

EEO Statement

Pure’s is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We ensure fair treatment in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, and compensation. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters a workplace where every individual is valued and respected.