Launch Delivery Manager

Role

We are hiring for a Launch Delivery Manager (LDM) to partner with our client's stakeholders in the graphics packaging process. The LDM is the go-to person for executing packaging graphics projects and provides the “feet on the ground” giving the client on-site leadership and serving as an advocate for the brand. The LDM demonstrates the highest level of ability and skill in all account management and project management capacities and partners with other key stakeholders to ensure the clients expectations are satisfied or exceeded.

This role can be worked on a hybrid basis, minimum 1 day a week with the Client.

Responsibilities

• Full accountability for the packaging project timeline from the point of project inception to plate delivery
• Attend relevant kick off meetings to establish the project scope and required milestones
• Work alongside key stakeholders in Marketing, Mill Planning, Design, Packaging Development and Print Partners to create and agree the critical path timeline
• Facilitate open and regular communication between key stakeholders to ensure clear understanding of project objectives
• Establish the budget for the project and create an estimate encompassing all costs from design to plates
• Provide a weekly BRAG report to key stakeholders to track project milestone timelines and performance to budget
• Lead and attend weekly status meetings with cross functional teams
• Attend the monthly category meeting to communicate any risk to project delivery and to be informed of any changes which may impact the timeline
• Ensure milestones are kept on task escalating any blocks for resolution to the Artwork Manager.
• Police the projects within the sphere of control to ensure adherence to process
• Where deviation of process is requested, ensure that the appropriate escalation process is followed, risks documented with mitigation plans recorded as part of due diligence
• Create and maintain the category activity plan to ensure early visibility of peak volumes and potential clashes
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the client so challenges and opportunities may be anticipated or avoided, and solutions can be offered quickly
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent communicator
• Organisational skills
• Educate, train and on-board all new starters with the correct ways of working
• Initiate, foster and maintain positive working relationships with both external and internal clients
• Identify opportunities to drive continuous improvement of the process with the aim of always providing the quickest and most efficient journey to the end goal
• Lead and participate in Post Implementation Reviews, providing project data to highlight areas of learning or improvement for future
• Provide agreed KPI data for category on monthly/quarterly basis
• Manage the Non-Conformance process for any internal errors ensuring full investigation and corrective actions are documented and actioned
• Provide a thorough and comprehensive handshake to the Internal Project Manager at the production milestone.

Skills and Experience

• Robust previous experience of critical path management and cradle to grave packaging graphics development
• Strong knowledge of consumer product packaging, creative design, production artwork, repro and print services
• Demonstrates excellent communication ability both written and verbal, and strong listening skills
• Outstanding presentation and customer relationship development skills
• Operates with high level of integrity and ethical awareness that engenders trust in all relationships
• Productive under pressure and hands on when required. Able to work in a fast-paced, hectic environment
• Highly adaptable and flexible with the ability to multi-task and prioritise. Demonstrates good attention to detail
• Strong planning and time management skills with the ability to develop and execute plans to final completion
• Manages role with finesse and diplomacy with an understanding of changing priorities
• Is an effective, mature, self-aware leader whose style is calm, strong and tenacious as a given situation requires
• Leads and initiates best practice change effectively with the client and is flexible and collaborative in all cross-functional responsibilities
• Idea generator with strong analytical, problem solving, critical thinking and innovative solution capabilities
• Motivated, autonomous and self-directed attitude requiring negligible supervision
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work with multiple partners and peers across organisation to achieve project and operational results
• Ability to deal effectively with difficult customer situations displaying a superior level of client service
• Proactive approach, hardworking and commercially aware
• Displays a willingness to learn, develop and improve in knowledge and personal attributes
• Presents a smart and professional appearance and attitude at all times
• Preferably the candidate is from either an FMCG market or print / packaging industry with change management and process development experience
• PC literate – Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat
• Experience of industry web-based briefing and approval systems

This is not an exhaustive list and the candidate is required to be flexible in approach to carrying out duties that may change to reflect the company’s circumstances. The company therefore reserves the right to vary the job description in consultation with the candidate.

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