Senior Production Artist NEW

Cleckheaton, Yorkshire
SGS & Co

With more than 150 years of industry-leading experience, the businesses of SGS & Co and SGK are uniting to form SGX-a powerful force in innovative packaging production. Building on the legacy of trusted service since 1947 and 1953, SGX will deliver the full suite of packaging graphics, plate and cylinder production, and metal deco services to brand owners, retailers, and printers-all with a focus on reducing complexity, delivering flawless in-market execution, and leveraging global reach to drive consistency and impact at scale.

We are looking for a Senior Packaging Artworker to join the team based in Cleckheaton. The role is responsible for the creation and delivery of accurate, high-quality, print-ready packaging artwork across a range of FMCG brands. Working from design master files, corporate guidelines, Cascade documents and client briefs, the role ensures brand consistency, technical accuracy and right-first-time artwork within all packaging and print constraints.

In addition to hands on artwork production, the Senior Packaging Artworker provides day to day guidance and technical leadership to artworkers, supporting quality standards, workflow efficiency and team development, including contributing to performance reviews and appraisals.

Key Responsibilities Artwork Production & Technical Delivery

• Create high-quality, print-ready packaging artwork from design files, briefs, corporate guidelines and print specifications
• Take ownership of the accurate application of design, brand and legal copy across packaging formats
• Ensure all artwork is technically correct and suitable for auto repro, considering colours, varnishes, whites, printer specifications and mark up
• Adhere to artwork checklists and SOPs, ensuring consistently high standards and right-first-time delivery
• Produce basic to complex level artwork using industry-standard software and print techniques
• Ensure all deliverables meet client, brand and technical specifications, and deadlines

Brand, Quality & Consistency

• Maintain excellent brand and design awareness.
• Ensure all artwork aligns with master guidelines and remains consistent across ranges, formats and live artwork
• Conduct range reviews and proactively flag inconsistencies or risks
• Work closely with QA, Pre production, Operations Manager and Production teams to ensure consistency across the account
• Make recommendations for improvements to tools, processes and ways of working

Workflow, Systems & Communication

• Attend client and internal meetings (e.g. pre production, hero meetings) as required
• Maintain accurate project status information within MIS and project tracking systems
• Work within agreed workflows, budgets and timelines in conjunction with the Operations Manager
• Communicate clearly with Project Managers to ensure information is cascaded to relevant production staff
• Ensure stakeholders have up to date information on assigned projects
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and day to day support to artworkers
• Review artwork produced by others, offering constructive feedback to maintain quality standards
• Support onboarding and training of new team members
• Contribute to performance management, including input into appraisals, objectives and development plans
• Promote a collaborative, quality driven culture focused on right-first-time delivery
• Actively participate in the studio team, sharing knowledge and best practice
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders
• Work autonomously while contributing positively within a fast paced, deadline driven environment
• Remain flexible and responsive to changing business and client requirements

Skills & Experience

• 5+ years’ experience as a Packaging Artworker / Production Artist within an FMCG packaging environment
• Strong experience producing technically accurate, print ready packaging artwork
• Excellent Adobe Illustrator skills; strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Acrobat and related tools
• Strong understanding of print processes, packaging materials and production constraints
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and support peers
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and problem solving skills
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior team members
• Comfortable working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines
• Willingness to work overtime when required