Unilever City Of London, England, United Kingdom
Artwork Production Specialist
Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple, is looking for an interim Artwork Production Specialist to become an integral part of their fast‑paced FMCG environment.
Location: Blackfriars, London’s Victoria Embankment (short walk from Blackfriars tube)
Job Type: Full‑time temporary until end of July 2026 (36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday). Compensation up to £48,000 per annum, pro rata, depending on experience.
Work Mode: mix of remote and onsite, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.
The APS is responsible for driving efficiency along the design and artwork chain within the artwork projects they manage. They focus on cooperation with Unilever internal functions and work closely with the Unilever functions that provide artwork data input.
The primary purpose of this position is to manage the creation and approval of packaging artwork from design lock, through to commercially reproducible mechanical artwork and separations which are handed over to the printer in a timely manner. The role involves initiating and managing projects using the artwork management system and working within a multi‑functional and sometimes multinational project team to deliver projects on time, in full.
Responsibilities include:
* Owner of the artwork process, roles and responsibilities, translating into the innovation project management process to deliver projects on time and in full.
* Artwork Business Partner for the Business, Brand DNA & guidelines, plans, priorities and volume per year.
* Managing stakeholders within the cross‑functional teams inside the artwork projects.
* Collaborating with marketing and design agencies at the design phase, providing expert guidance and technical inputs to ensure design is technically printable before internal approval.
* Setting up and running pre‑production meetings with agencies and printers to ensure quality and consistency from artwork to print.
* Ensuring master design files are created according to prescribed toolbox specifications and handed over correctly, with printed artwork matching design requirements.
* Working with marketing to ensure visibility on artwork cost and spend, and that printed packaging is optimised for cost (print process, number of colours, etc.).
* Taking accountability for delivery of mechanical artwork and separation files to printers, proactively managing issues as they arise.
* Creating and managing projects in the internal artwork management system BLUE, adhering to Unilever’s defined artwork process.
* Managing internal and external stakeholder expectations for status, timings and technical expertise.
* Ensuring print management agency follows approved rate cards and SLAs and that procurement and payment procedures are followed.
* Approving colour‑reliable proofs on behalf of marketing.
* Sourcing printer specifications and aligning them to defined processes.
* Approving colour standards (1st press pass) if not covered by the print management agency and distributing to relevant parties.
Key Requirements:
* Experience in artwork management or a similar role (print production, print management, graphic design, packaging development, supply management, etc.).
* Good project management skills for global projects, covering communication, stakeholder management and tracking.
* Understanding of design elements of artwork and ability to advise and suggest to marketing and agencies.
* Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously with cross‑functional team members and external stakeholders.
* Comfort in a multicultural environment and working with partners in many different countries.
* Ability to manage artwork in a continuously changing environment with tight timelines.
* Discipline in using an online system and ensuring compliance from others.
* Managing external vendor compliance within agreed lead time and quality of delivery, compliance with rate card and processes.
* Influencing improvement to artwork management efficiency through project management, process compliance, visibility of artwork KPIs and ways of working.
* Technical expert and business partner to marketing and other functional teams from design to print.
* Managing and reporting on print management agencies’ performance based on Unilever evaluation criteria.
Scope:
* Adaptive design, artwork, print management and digital image creation responsibilities.
* Responsible for several brands and categories at the same time, potentially across market clusters or countries.
* Works across multiple time zones and coordinates external vendors that may be in other time zones.
* Interaction with many departments to manage all projects as per the artwork process.
* Ability to build collaborative relationships, hold people accountable, have good organizational awareness, strong influence, and a business partner mindset.
Key General Skills:
* Strong project management.
* Highly computer‑literate.
Additional Information – Blackfriars working environment:
* Iconic location on the Victoria embankment, modern working environment.
* Short walk from Blackfriars station.
* Staff shop discounted products.
* Free tea & coffee facilities.
* Onsite deli and a restaurant open for breakfast and lunch.
* Gym available for use (subscription required).
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