Foods people love. Brands people trust. And a career that nourishes your future like no other.

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.

Position Overview

The Sr. Manager, Packaging Operations is responsible for leading a team focused on Packaging Execution and Packaging Operations.  This collective team manages the Design-to-Delivery (D2D) process from project kick-off to final approved artwork for projects ranging from brand redesigns, product launches, and portfolio extensions, to range extensions, pack promotions and adaptations.  This team plays a critical role in applying best practices to drive a seamless transition of design and packaging concepts to executable artwork.  The candidate for this role must be a strong people leader, as well as a group facilitator, to drive collaboration with cross-functional partners.
 

Primary Responsibilities

• Coach and lead a team of 12+ members focused on Packaging Execution and Packaging Operations, providing guidance and support, and the initiative to remove roadblocks as necessary to ensure the team functions effectively
• Evaluate processes and establish best practices, driving effectiveness and efficiency across the team and with internal/external partners; proactively identify opportunities for process and performance optimization, and implement new agile processes, management tools, and solutions across the team where appropriate
• Act as a process driver and collaborator, embracing a spirit of partnership with key cross-functional partners, including brand marketing team, Project Management Organization (PMO), Tech Pack, Legal, Regulatory, R&D, Procurement, and Artwork and Pre-press teams
• Oversee and guide the overall day-to-day operations of the team, ensuring all responsibilities are successfully delivered on, ranging from design brief kick-offs with brand teams and external partners, to project budgeting and tracking, to the transition of finalized design artwork and templates to the artwork implementation process
• Manage external agencies and partners, working closely with procurement through negotiations and agency KPI tracking, as well as the day-to-day overarching performance of agencies
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners who influence the upstream process for product development, package design, labeling content, and visual asset creation to identify opportunities to further advance the design and packaging functions
• Consistently track and transparently report on KPIs to key business partners via robust metrics and dashboard tools
• Partner with global counterparts to inform, leverage and share best practices, and implement tools that ensure global consistency across all businesses

Qualifications

• Minimum 8-10 years of design, creative management & project management related experience, with a focus on package design
• Bachelor’s degree required/Master’s preferred in Design or related field
• Track record in effective people leadership/management, and leading a team to successful outcomes
• Excellent communication (verbal & written), strong interpersonal and team facilitation skills
• Analytical thinker with a background in leveraging design related metrics/KPIs
• 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
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams within a matrix environment
• Ability to interact with all levels of management and influence without line authority to create alignment across senior cross-functional stakeholders
• Full understanding of consumer-driven, environmentally responsible design and packaging
• Consumer Package Goods industry experience preferred
• This role can be based in Solon Ohio or Arlington Virgina 

LI-#hybrid 

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.