Creative Workflow & Operations | Artwork & Packaging Production | Team Leadership
Creative workflow and packaging production leader with extensive experience across design, CPG packaging, print production and creative execution. Combines a hands-on design foundation with 11 years guiding high-volume artwork for 400+ private-label beverage brands, from initial request through regulatory review, prepress, approvals and final manufacturing. Brings technical print knowledge, process improvement and team leadership to work that must be visually effective, technically accurate and scalable.
EXPERIENCE
Niagara Bottling, LLC | Artwork Production Associate Manager | 2015–2026
• Led packaging artwork and creative production for more than 400 private-label beverage brands, managing projects from intake and revisions through regulatory review, preflight, approvals, final release, and manufacturing.
• Managed, mentored and developed graphic designers and production artists while remaining closely involved in artwork review, technical problem-solving, project prioritization and quality control. Team members I supported went on to take on expanded responsibilities and leadership roles.
• Partnered with Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, Quality, Packaging Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, commercial teams, external vendors, and printers to align creative intent, technical requirements, timelines, and launch needs.
• Reviewed dielines, substrates, color requirements, mechanical files, proofs, and print specifications across flexography, gravure, offset lithography, and direct printing.
• Managed a 32% year-over-year increase in artwork volume by establishing transparent priorities, maintaining shared project visibility, and addressing risks early—without additional headcount or weekend overtime.
• Developed standardized documentation, onboarding resources, and practical workflows that improved consistency, reduced opportunities for error, and helped the artwork process scale.
• Coordinated prepress, proofing, vendor communication, and on-site and remote press approvals to ensure packaging met brand, regulatory, manufacturing and print-production requirements.
• Supported creative and packaging programs for Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Albertsons, Kroger, Premier Protein, and other national retailers and consumer brands across North American markets, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
• Received the Niagara Leadership Excellence Award in 2023.
ProSound & Stage Lighting (PSSL) | Graphic Artist / Social Media Manager | 2010–2015
• Designed and production-prepared bi-monthly product catalogs distributed to more than 25,000 customers, including layout, image preparation, copy, preflight, print-quality review, and press-ready file creation.
• Created marketing materials, advertising, product photography, digital assets, and weekly email campaigns reaching more than 200,000 customers.
• Built a hands-on foundation in graphic design, production artwork, brand consistency, print preparation, and visual problem-solving.
CORE EXPERTISE
Creative Workflow & Operations · Packaging Artwork · Graphic & Production Design · Artwork Lifecycle Management · Prepress & Proofing · Print Production · Dielines & Substrates · Color Management & Press Approvals · Workflow Optimization · Creative Project Leadership · Team Leadership & Mentoring · Cross-Functional Collaboration · Vendor & Printer Coordination · Quality Control
TOOLS
Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat and Lightroom
Microsoft 365: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
Google Workspace · Workfront · BLUE · SGS · Microsoft Copilot · ChatGPT
Microsoft 365: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
Google Workspace · Workfront · BLUE · SGS · Microsoft Copilot · ChatGPT