Job Description
Posted Date: Jul 16, 2025
Requisition Number: 125889
Job Location: Hershey, PA
Role Summary: With minimal supervision from the Sr. Manager of Packaging Graphics, the Sr. Graphics Technologist is responsible for initiating and executing graphics projects with significant complexity. This position is responsible for identifying and implementing efficient graphics processes, seamless integration of brand acquisitions and continuous improvement projects. In addition, the PM is responsible for managing strategic initiatives, promoting and implementing the best use of technology, and developing solutions to complex graphics problems to meet the company's current and/or future business needs. The successful candidate must be able to display sense of urgency while maintaining attention to detail. This position is responsible to model leadership and technical instruction to the graphics organization and cross functional teams. Responsible for all phases of large projects or programs, from project development through commercialization. This includes communication of project timelines, project progression, and elevation of roadblocks and implementation of resolutions.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
Project Management: - Manage strategic graphics projects while simultaneously supporting graphics resources on technical support for commercialization.
- Devise processes and procedures to ensure project commitments are delivered and communicate business critical project activities to all levels of management.
- Develop project timelines including key milestones.
- Engage graphics resources to assist in project progression and for tracking of completion of milestones and project progress.
- Develop presentations with updates for key stakeholders on project progress and propose recommendations for path forward as required.
- Collaborate with OBD, Marketing, Brand, and Customer teams, Finance, legal and regulatory and all functions within the process (procurement, manufacturing plants and printers) to deliver projects on time adhering to quality parameters.
- Develop a seamless and integrated relationship with design partners (global design, agencies and pre-press).
- Act as a lead on production related issues which includes identifying root cause and leading others to resolution.
- Interacts with Commercial stakeholders to ensure alignment of objectives and deliverables
- Identifies and evaluates risks and develops appropriate contingency plans
Technical Graphics Technology/Innovation - Expert knowledge and demonstrated competency in graphics technology, packaging or printing trade disciplines. Leverage proficiency and knowledge of graphics industry to provide and guide graphics technologists on graphics solutions.
- Serves as an organizational representative in external supplier negotiations.
- Provides graphic technical recommendations on strategy for implementation of projects
- Provides mentoring and coaching to graphics technologists, graphics contractors and project managers to provide opportunities for them to develop graphics technical skills.
- Advises technical direction on separations, mechanical development, color management, print run management and supplier print capabilities as it impacts the intended printing deliverables.
- Collaborates with global design and agency partners on the creative development of new and innovative graphics designs and guide the teams on how to attain quality printing that meets the design brief objectives.
- Partners with printers to authorize and support technical steps for contingency business moves.
- Develop design of experiment for new and emerging print technologies including timelines and contingencies
Budgeting/Continuous Improvement: - Participate in Vendor business reviews and provide updates on status of vendor performance.
- Manage tracking and accuracy of vendor invoices for pre-press, printing plates and cutting dies when required. This includes providing cost collectors as required. This includes on-time ZINV payments for pre-press services. Elevate service price concerns that are not in scope per vendor contracts pricing schedule.
- Approve SAP vendor invoices as required for print and translation services.
- Provide graphics budgeting impact for RFP's and Continuous improvement projects as required.
- Advise key stakeholders on additional cost drivers on projects including press checks, graphics testing material requirements, file transfer costs and additional technical graphics costs (e.g. varnishes, matte finish, embossing etc.).
Esko webcenter/SAP4 Hana- SAP PLM: - Provide technical oversight to Esko system for contractor personnel
- Provide training to new contractor personnel on Esko webcenter
Standard Operating Procedures/Training - Create Hershey standard operating procedures for pre-press contractor personnel (e.g. Regulatory compliance)
- Ensure quality documents related to Hershey graphics vendor tool kit documents are maintained and accurate.
- Ensure Print Quality Color Cert program documentation is maintained and accurate for printers and technology changes.
- Partner with regulatory and legal on the approval of documentation content
- Train contractor personnel on Hershey procedures (e.g. SAP Graphics specifications)
- Maintain RACI documentation as business needs change
Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities: - Strong understanding of printing methods (flexography, rotogravure, offset) and an understanding of the variables that impact graphics delivery (substrates, methods and printing equipment).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to multi task on multiple strategic projects and independently make decisions and drive project progress.
- Demonstrated ability to coach team members on graphics technical requirements and project management.
- manage multiple projects simultaneously while coaching contractor personnel as needed
- Experience with Microsoft Project or Timeline tools preferred
- Demonstrated idea generator with strong analytical, problem solving and innovative solution capabilities as evidenced by sound business decisions.
- Proficiency in Adobe Suite, Illustrator, Photoshop and experience with X-Rite spectrophotometry and densitometry
- SAP knowledge
- Familiarity with Mac preferred but not required
- Demonstrated presentation skills preferred (written and verbal)
- Demonstrated ability to manage high workload, prioritize tasks appropriately adhering to deadlines
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Demonstrated attention to detail
- Demonstrated problem solving skills
- Autonomous decision making skills
- Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate cross functionally to achieve a common objective
- Self-motivation and initiative
Education and Experience Requirements: - Bachelors or an Associates in Graphics with 5-8 yrs. experience of Commercialization of graphics/global design, pre-press or printing experience
- With no Graphics degree, 10 yrs. Technical printing experience, graphics commercialization and design experience required
Job Tags
For contractors, Work at office,