Manager III – Packaging Creative

Manager III – Packaging Creative

Company Overview
Ralcorp Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is the nation's leading producer of private-brand foods sold under the individual labels of various grocery, mass merchandise and drugstore retailers. We also produce a variety of refrigerated doughs and frozen bakery products sold to retailers, in-store bakeries, restaurants or other foodservice customers. Ralcorp's diversified product mix includes: ready-to-eat and hot cereals; nutritional and cereal bars; snack mixes, corn-based chips and extruded corn snack products; crackers and cookies; snack nuts; chocolate candy; salad dressings; mayonnaise; peanut butter; jams and jellies; syrups; sauces; frozen griddle products including pancakes, waffles, and French toast; frozen biscuits and other frozen pre-baked products such as breads and muffins; frozen and refrigerated doughs; and dry pasta.

Ralcorp's net sales were over $4.7 billion in 2011 and our operations include more than 40 manufacturing facilities. With more than 10,000 employees in the United States, Canada and Italy, each of our locations offers an environment that values every employee!
Job Description
The Creative Services Group Manager is responsible for leading and managing packaging and design strategies for branded/private label new product introductions, product re-launches, design assets, media content, trade shows, promotions, and other creative services for Ralcorp Foods Group, customers and corporate Ralcorp initiatives against goals, objectives, time lines and budgets
.
Direct the development and execution of creative strategies and designs that support private branding messaging initiatives related to center-store and Ralston Food categories.
Lead creative team in development of design deliverables that elevate branded and private branded messaging initiatives related to Ralcorp categories.
Manage development, evolution and communication of Ralcorp marketing objectives into graphic solutions across customer channels comprised of retail, foodservice, international, mass merchandisers, convenience stores, dollar stores and military.
Collaborate with Creative Directors to produce quality work that meets business objectives established for new product launches, promotions and marketing menu content.
Lead, and direct Creative Team in the development of social media content and in-store collateral deliverables.
Responsible for recruiting and managing third party design firms of art directors, flash designers, copywriters, production artists, illustrators and freelancers.
Provide project management for trade shows and corporate initiatives.
Establish creative direction and execution for digital/social media content, R-vivid marketing menu, promotion materials and in-store collateral.
Establish and maintain effective communication channels and working relationships with corporate, business units, customer development groups, marketing, purchasing and national account managers.
Collaborate closely with sales/customer teams as a key strategic partner; understand their customer creative objectives and help them to drive business forward by proactively contributing strategic and tactical ideas.
Ensure all projects are executed to meet corporate, industry, printer, government regulations and retailer guideline compliance.
Maintain highest packaging and design standards while focused on project goals, milestones and budget.
Co-manage A&P packaging graphics budget.
Coach, manage and develop team members; assign projects to achieve workload balance, effectively critiques work and offers suggestions for improvement.
Support team members to create value for the Ralston Foods organization.


Job Requirements
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphics Communication

Experience:
Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in consumer package goods
Must be experienced in leading and managing direct reports
Knowledge of production software/workflows; print processes; media helpful
Experience in managing vendor/client relationships
Ability to prioritize work and resources across projects based on short and long term needs in a deadline-driven environment