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If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, Nestlé is the place for you. Nestlé USA is one of seven operating companies that make up Nestlé’s presence in the United States. We're in 97% of American homes, and as the leading food and beverage company, our goals are to continue to deliver quality food and beverage products, strengthen our local communities, and reduce our environmental and climate impact.

We’re determined to challenge the status quo and be better tomorrow than we are today. As individuals and teams, we embrace our entrepreneurial culture and have created a workplace where collaboration is essential, courage is rewarded, speed is expected, and agility is the norm to delight our consumers every single day. Here, you will find limitless opportunities to learn and advance your career and feel empowered to succeed in the workplace and beyond. Because our focus is not only on nourishing our customers, but also about enriching you.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

The Design Execution Senior Specialist (DES) is a cross-functional role that manages the Design-to-Delivery D2D process, overseeing the efficient, effective and flawless execution of all D2D content for innovation and renovation project(s), within Nestlé’s Marketing Enablement organization, reporting into the senior manager of Packaging Operations.
 
JOB SUMMARY
The primary responsibility of the Design Execution Senior Specialist is the management of (D2D) process from project kick-off to final approved artwork for innovation/renovation product development through the Idea-to-Launch (I2L) process and major package redesign projects. The role is also responsible for managing cross-functional project teams & business processes inclusive of: Package Structure Design, Graphic Design, Labeling Copy and Content Development, and CGI / e-Content. To ensure process adherence, the DES must apply best practices to drive a seamless transition of concepts to executable artwork. The DES is accountable for communicating regularly with partners for the project status of each milestone throughout the product launch.

• The DES is responsible for establishing realistic project timeline and formal alignment via D2D and I2L governance process – driving for clarity on feedback and formally locked decisions.
• The candidate for this role must be a strong group facilitator, communicator, and needs to possess excellent skills in the Innovation and New Product Development space.
• Main business partners include Marketing, Project Management Organization (PMO), Tech Pack, Legal, Regulatory, R&D, Procurement, Design Agency, Artwork and Pre-press teams.
• Accountable to: Nestlé Project Management, Marketing departments for delivering key package label and artwork content creation milestones, synchronized with the I2L process.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage D2D workflow; oversee timelines; coordinate D2D information required during project, including Label Text; ensure on-time, accurate, high-quality delivery of all D2D content; monitor D2D packaging operations KPIs. 
• Being a neutral cross-functional process driver. A single point of contact for global and regional projects for label design, artwork and content/visual assets creation process excellence, with an end-to-end accountability connected to regional project status through implementation launch.
• With coaching assistance, having primary focus on the flawless execution of packaging design and labeling content/visual assets creation: managing the milestones from kick-off briefing, through Discovery to Creation phases achieving a ‘design lock’ with management in order to ensure a seamless transition of finalized adaption design/templates to the artwork implementation process.
• With coaching assistance, facilitation of the Nestlé D2D briefing process, cross-functional design team status meetings, through I2L governance process – driving for clarity on feedback and locked decisions.
• With coaching assistance, drive the executional processes of design development; adhere to best strategic workflow / WOWs to maximize efficiencies and successful / flawless implementations. 
• Tracking and transparently reporting to key business partners on project milestone status via high level dashboard metrics.
• With coaching assistance, initiation of a formal escalation process to address critical issues, project scope changes or roadblocks as appropriate with Packaging Operations / Marketing Enablement Leadership Team and key business partners.
• Assisting in Packaging Operations department stewardship, change management programs / ongoing process communications and training.
• Supporting the Packaging Operations / Marketing Enablement team on continuous improvement initiatives: proactively identifying areas for process and performance improvements, elimination of implementation barriers, embraces the idea of trying new processes, and new management tools.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree is required. A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and/or similar industry certification, formal Process Excellence Training, or an MBA is a plus.
• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant business experience with increasing responsibility is required, including 3 years of formal project management experience in new product development, package design, labeling artwork or copy development areas.
• Prior agency or creative studio experience a plus; with experience in managing creative design, photoshoots, artwork, prepress and different printing processes. 
• Thorough knowledge of the consumer product industry or relevant experience in adjacent industries is preferred.
• Proven ability to drive process in complex, interrelated cross-functional new product development and large-scale brand redesign projects is required.
• Demonstrated strategic business and analytical skills; including understanding of key project management principles in the product development space (Time, Cost, Compliance, Feasibility, Risk Assessment, Design Goals, Problem Solving, Metrics, Formal Alignment) and how to leverage this knowledge to make sound business recommendations in a fluid strategic environment is required.
• Ability to interact with all levels of management and lead productive discussions without line authority to create alignment of senior cross-functional stakeholders is required.
• Excellent communication (verbal & written), strong interpersonal and team facilitation skills are required.
• Ability to drive a team forward, stay on track and reconfigure and reform project delivery process if significant scope changes are required.
• Comfortable in facilitating a professional, fact-based, transparent, escalation process when necessary, removing roadblocks and securing project alignment on time as required.
• Locations for the position is Arlington, VA and will require up to 10% domestic travel.

REQUISITION # 257805 

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It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role.  In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities.  Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.

The Nestlé Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.