Junior Project Manager - Packaging in York

Location: Berkhamsted (Hybrid – 3 days in the office, 2 days from home)

About the Opportunity

We are working with a leading creative and packaging agency that is seeking a highly organised Studio Project Manager to join their dedicated client services team, supporting a major retail account. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with project coordination or project management experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, organisation, and collaboration are essential. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring packaging artwork projects are delivered efficiently, acting as the key operational link between project management, adaptive design, artwork production teams, and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will oversee projects throughout the artwork workflow, ensuring timelines, assets, approvals, and project information are managed accurately across internal systems. You'll be responsible for keeping projects moving smoothly from initial setup through to final artwork approval and release.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Setup & Planning
  • Create and maintain project records within internal workflow and project management systems.
  • Set up master work orders and associated project lines following agreed processes and naming conventions.
  • Establish and maintain project timelines, milestones, and critical path dates.
  • Manage project data, SKU information, budgets, and costs throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Support project reporting requirements and provide status updates to internal teams.
• Project Element Coordination
  • Coordinate the collection and management of all project assets and supporting materials.
  • Manage preflight checks and technical validation processes.
  • Ensure approved documentation and assets are correctly filed and linked within project systems.
  • Identify and locate existing artwork files where appropriate.
  • Liaise with suppliers regarding incomplete or rejected information.
  • Escalate missing assets or timeline risks to ensure project deadlines remain on track.
• Pre-Artwork Management
  • Coordinate pre-artwork processes following design approval.
  • Ensure all technical specifications are accurate and complete, including print specifications, ink and colour information, cutter references, production requirements, and supporting technical documentation.
• Artwork Project Management
  • Attend project and artwork review meetings where required.
  • Manage artwork budgets and maintain accurate cost information.
  • Update project briefs based on stakeholder discussions and client feedback.
  • Ensure artwork briefs contain all necessary information for successful production.
  • Coordinate artwork scheduling and production bookings.
  • Manage project timelines and production schedules.
  • Maintain accurate project status updates and workflow tracking.
  • Proactively identify and escalate project risks, delays, or conflicting information.
• Studio & Production Support
  • Act as the primary point of contact for artwork production queries.
  • Facilitate communication between project teams, designers, production teams, and stakeholders.
  • Support production planning and workload scheduling.
  • Resolve day-to-day workflow challenges and escalate issues where necessary.
• Artwork Approvals & Stakeholder Communication
  • Manage artwork approval processes through agency systems.
  • Coordinate client feedback and artwork amends with production teams.
  • Support project reporting and status updates for stakeholders.
  • Escalate approval delays or potential project impacts in a timely manner.
• Final Approval & Release
  • Coordinate the release of approved artwork files to suppliers and print partners.
  • Maintain accurate records of approvals and supporting documentation.
  • Distribute final approved artwork files to relevant stakeholders.
  • Ensure all project documentation is completed, accurate, and properly archived.
• Team Collaboration
  • Participate in daily project meetings, production planning sessions, artwork reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Contribute to process enhancements that improve workflow efficiency and project delivery.

Skills & Experience

• Experience
  • 1–2 years' experience within a project coordination or project management environment.
  • Experience within packaging, artwork production, branding, or FMCG sectors would be highly advantageous.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Project Management & Organisation
  • Strong planning, coordination, and organisational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple workflows and competing priorities.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and process management.
  • Experience maintaining accurate project records and documentation.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Comfortable working with internal teams, clients, suppliers, and production partners.
  • Confident in escalating risks, issues, and project challenges appropriately.
• Technical & Systems Knowledge
  • Experience using project management systems, workflow platforms, or production management tools.
  • Exposure to packaging artwork workflows, approval systems, or production environments would be beneficial.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
  • Ability to identify project risks and workflow bottlenecks.
  • Proactive approach to resolving issues and maintaining project momentum.
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Personal Attributes
  • Highly organised and detail-focused.
  • Calm and composed when working under pressure.
  • Collaborative and team-oriented.
  • Positive, proactive, and solutions-driven mindset.
  • Passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Why Apply?

This role offers the opportunity to join a collaborative agency environment supporting a well-known retail brand, where you'll gain exposure to high-volume packaging projects, work alongside experienced creative and production teams, and play a key role in delivering quality work to market. It's an excellent opportunity for an ambitious project professional looking to develop their career within packaging, branding, or creative operations.