Job Title:  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 technologies.
Proficiency in Google platform (Gmail, Sheets, Docs, Slides) and Excel.
Experience in database operations for use and maintenance of related and non-relational data systems preferred.

• Decision Making and Organization:

Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as well as working independently to determine optimal approaches for daily tasks.
Ability to keep organized, prioritize tasks effectively, and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range $84,000.00 - $114,000.00 USD

Pay is based on multiple non-discriminatory, individualized factors including but not limited to experience, job-related knowledge and education, skills and office/market location. In addition to base salary, salaried employees are eligible for annual discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing and, for Executive-level (salary grade 16 and above) roles only, long-term incentives in the form of Restricted Stock Units and/or Stock Options.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable benefits plans then in effect, all salaried employees are also eligible for a competitive benefits package which includes:

• Insurance: Employees (and their eligible dependents) are eligible to participate in Company-sponsored Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Disability insurance plans.
• Retirement Plans: Employees are eligible to enroll in Colgate's 401(k) plan, which provides for company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements
• Vacation/PTO: Employees receive a minimum of 15 days of vacation/PTO leave annually
• Paid Holidays: Employees receive a minimum of 13 paid/floating holidays annually
• Paid Sick Leave: Based on location and consistent with applicable state and local law, employees receive a minimum of 40 hours of paid sick leave on January 1st of each year
• Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees may take up to eight weeks of paid parental leave and 12 weeks of unpaid leave (varies for employees with fewer than 12 months of service and is subject to hours worked requirements)

Our Commitment to Sustainability
With the Colgate brand in more homes than any other, we are presented with great opportunities and new challenges as we work to integrate sustainability into all aspects of our business and create positive social impact. We are determined to position ourselves for further growth as we act on our 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our purpose starts with our people — ensuring our workforce represents the people and communities we serve —and creating an environment where our people feel they belong; where we can be our authentic selves, feel treated with respect and have the support of leadership to impact the business in a meaningful way.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please contact Application_Accommodation@colpal.com with the subject "Accommodation Request" should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here.

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