Packaging & Creative Project Manager

Job Title

Packaging & Creative Project Manager

FLSA Classification

Salary, Exempt

This is a remote position, Minimal travel required. 

The role includes employer-sponsored benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Direct Supervisor

Director of Brand & Innovation

Position Summary

The Packaging & Creative Project Manager is responsible for managing the development, review, and execution of packaging and creative assets across private-label and branded product lines. This role oversees packaging workflows from concept through final submission, including artwork review coordination, retailer submission processes, and collaboration with external creative partners. The position works cross-functionally with Marketing, Product Development, Supply Chain, and other key stakeholders to establish, maintain, and continuously improve packaging and creative processes. The Packaging & Creative Project Manager also supports the evaluation and implementation of digital asset management systems and may contribute to broader creative and marketing initiatives as business needs evolve.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

·         Manage packaging development projects for private-label customers, coordinating activities from project initiation through final artwork approval and printer release.

·         Gather and organize packaging requirements from cross-functional teams and support the development and submission of packaging briefs.

·         Coordinate external creative partners and ensure packaging assets are developed in accordance with product specifications, retailer requirements, and project timelines.

·         Maintain packaging files, artwork records, proofs, and version histories to ensure accurate documentation and accessibility.

·         Coordinate packaging-related approvals, including proofs, ink drawdowns, shelf-ready packaging components, dielines, and color standards.

·         Administer artwork review and approval workflows through Ziflow, including routing files, tracking feedback, managing revisions, and ensuring timely completion of reviews.

·         Review packaging artwork for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to approved specifications prior to stakeholder review.

·         Monitor project timelines and approval milestones, escalating issues and supporting resolution to maintain project schedules.

·         Develop, document, and maintain packaging processes, standard operating procedures, workflow guides, and project management tools.

·         Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline packaging and artwork approval processes.

·         Support the implementation, administration, and ongoing maintenance of digital asset management (DAM) systems, including asset organization, governance, and user training.

·         Coordinate the migration, storage, and management of packaging and creative assets to ensure consistency and accessibility across teams.

·         Provide packaging project management support for branded product lines, including artwork coordination, proof approvals, and stakeholder communication.

·         Collaborate with Marketing, Product Development, FSQA, Sales, Supply Chain, and external partners to support packaging initiatives and business objectives.

·         Perform other related duties and special projects assigned.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 3+ years of experience in packaging project management, creative operations, or artwork management within CPG or food & beverage.
• Direct, hands-on experience with Private Label packaging workflows. Walmart experience highly preferred.
• Experience managing artwork review platforms. Ziflow strongly preferred; or equivalents such as Artwork Flow, Widen, Canto, or similar.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects across different retailers, timelines, and stakeholders without letting anything fall through the cracks.
• Strong understanding of print production fundamentals: ink drawdowns, color proofing, packaging specs and dielines, print-ready file requirements, and supplier communication.
• Experience managing (directly or indirectly) creative freelancers or agencies: managing deliverables and priorities, holding contractors accountable to scope and schedule.
• Highly organized file management habits.

Desired Qualifications & Traits

•         Experience with other major retailer PL workflows: Target (Spark, SGS&CO), Aldi/Lidl (Ariba), Sam’s Club.

•         Prior experience implementing or administering a DAM system (Bynder, Canto, Widen, Brandfolder, or similar).

•         Comfort with AI tools and workflow automation.

•         Experience within a start-up or mid-size food brand, juggling multiple workstreams in a highly seasonal, fast-paced, and innovative environment.

Physical Requirements

·         Ability to review packaging artwork, proofs, specifications, and digital files with a high degree of visual attention to detail.

·         Ability to travel periodically, including overnight travel, as required to support collaboration with teams located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Ohio.

•      Ability to perform the essential functions of the position in a remote office environment.