Traffic Manager

Hours: 37.5 per week (flexibility to consider minimum of 30 hours per week)

Permanent/Fixed Term: Permanent

Location: Cheltenham

SLG are a design-driven international beauty business with a global ambition. Our company designs, develops & globally scales incredible beauty brands. We are headquartered at Studio 19, our award-winning workspace, studios, and lab. It is a truly remarkable place of work based in the town centre of regency Cheltenham. We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity to become part of our innovative, collaborative, and highly skilled team.

Key Objectives:

As the Traffic Manager, you will be responsible for both the immediate and long-term planning and management of the Design Studios time, ensuring that all projects are delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible. You will be accountable for delivering the Studio's output KPIs and ensuring the high standard of creative production on all assets is met, against our all year round, licensed & exclusive brand guidelines. You will play a key role as a member of the design studio whilst collaborating closely with the marketing, licensed & exclusive, and the brand teams, ensuring that all initiatives are aligned with the overall strategic goals of the business while fostering a high-performing, collaborative and creative environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for trafficking and managing resource of the day-to-day workflow through the Studio, ensuring efficient resource allocation to meet business project demands and agility requirements.
• Set and manage stakeholder expectations with regular updates, troubleshooting bottlenecks as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate Studio resource and output for long-term planning.
• Management and upload of artwork proofs and ensure they are released in line with CTP deadlines.
• Maintain monthly forecasts of resource requirements, managing costs effectively and reporting to Finance and Business Operations.
• Deliver and maintain information and learnings on Studio processes and systems identifying any training needs that may be required and work with Business Operations to ensure alignment with company standards and best practices.
• Review and validate briefs to ensure compliance with established workflows for effective delivery.
• Manage freelance creative resources, including rate negotiations, invoicing, and risk management related to availability, quality, and cost.
• Coordinate multiple assets from core creative, managing post-production, retouching, editing, and file preparation, while aligning stakeholder approvals at key stages.
• Manage and maintain the "Brand Folder" asset management system to ensure content consistency and accessibility.
• Manage the production and project delivery of 3D marketing materials, including retailer point-of-sale, mailers, sampler boxes, and shipper units, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• General studio admin when required, such as file sharing, printing and presentation preparation.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements:

• Proven experience in a media environment or creative agency, with a solid understanding of both print and digital processes, techniques, and technologies.
• Strong knowledge of project lifecycles, including the ability to interrogate requirements, interpret briefs, and identify risks and dependencies.
• Experience working with external designers and artworkers, including negotiating favourable rates and ensuring budget and contract transparency.
• Software Proficiency: Fully conversant with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Creative Cloud programs.
• Experience in photoshoot postproduction and asset management is desirable.

Key Competency Requirements:

• Organisation Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritise tasks effectively, and ensure timely delivery under tight deadlines.
• Communication and Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders, managing expectations and providing clear updates.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to identifying and addressing bottlenecks, risks, and challenges, offering creative solutions to maintain project flow.
• Attention to Detail: Highly detail-oriented, ensuring briefs, artwork, budgets, and project outputs meet quality standards, align with brand guidelines, and address potential issues before they arise.
• Technical Proficiency: Comfortable using project management tools, design software (Adobe Creative Cloud), and standard business applications (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align creative production processes with business objectives, optimising workflows and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Budget and Resource Management: Confident in managing budgets, negotiating costs, and effectively allocating resources to maximise efficiency and output.
• Creative Acumen: Strong understanding of creative processes, visual storytelling, and brand alignment, with a keen eye for design quality and effectiveness.
• Flexibility: Adapts to shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or evolving business needs with resilience and a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Leadership and Initiative: Demonstrates ownership of responsibilities, takes initiative in enhancing workflows, and supports team members to achieve shared goals.