Artwork Production Specialist

Job Description

As Artwork Production Specialist, you manage the artwork process from design lock to final print proof. You work closely with Product Development, Brand, Quality & Regulatory, Sourcing, external agencies, suppliers and printers to make sure every packaging file is technically correct, legally compliant and ready for production.

You are the person who understands the details behind packaging artwork: dielines, print specifications, colours, barcodes, overprint, bleed, legal copy, supplier requirements and approval rounds. You know how to speak the technical language of printers and agencies, while keeping internal stakeholders aligned when timelines are tight.

You will work across multiple packaging projects and categories in parallel. This can include artwork for boxes, labels, tubes, foams, sleeves, gift sets and other primary or secondary packaging formats. You spot risks early, collect and structure feedback, manage approval flows and make sure files do not come back from the printer with avoidable surprises.

Key responsibilities

Artwork production & prepress coordination

• Translate approved packaging designs into accurate, production-ready artwork.
• Work with dielines, technical drawings, print specifications and supplier requirements.
• Check artwork files for details such as layout, separations, barcodes, overprint, bleed, colour setup, legal text placement and version accuracy.
• Coordinate proofing rounds with agencies, suppliers and printers, including colour checks and production validations.
• Make sure final files are complete, correct and ready for print.

Artwork project management

• Own the artwork timeline from design handover to final approval and production release.
• Manage several artwork projects in parallel across different categories and markets.
• Create clear briefs for external agencies and suppliers.
• Collect, structure and follow up on feedback from Brand, Product Development, QA, Regulatory and Sourcing.
• Keep approvals moving and escalate risks early when deadlines, technical constraints or compliance requirements are at risk.
• Maintain accurate version control, documentation and project tracking.

Stakeholder alignment & quality control

• Act as the linking pin between internal teams, external artwork agencies, suppliers and printers.
• Align with Quality & Regulatory on legal copy, claims, translations and required packaging information.
• Challenge unclear input and make sure decisions are documented.
• Safeguard consistency, quality and technical execution across packaging launches.
• Support improvements in the artwork management process and tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Graphic Design, DTP, Packaging Technology, Print Production or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in packaging artwork production, artwork project management, prepress or packaging production.
• Experience within FMCG, beauty, cosmetics, food, pharma or another regulated packaging environment is strongly preferred.
• Strong Adobe Illustrator skills and confident working with packaging artwork files.
• Solid understanding of dielines, print specifications, colour management, barcodes, overprint, bleed and preflight checks.
• Experience coordinating artwork approval rounds with agencies, suppliers and/or printers.
• Strong project management skills: you can manage multiple artworks, deadlines and stakeholders without losing the details.
• Comfortable working with technical packaging language and asking the right questions to suppliers or printers.
• Detail-driven, structured and pragmatic.
• Strong English communication skills and able to work with international stakeholders.

This role is about artwork execution, packaging production and project coordination. You will not be creating the creative packaging concept from scratch. The visual direction is already defined by Brand/Design. Your focus is making sure the approved design becomes a correct, compliant and technically printable packaging file.

So if you love concept creation only, this is probably not the right role.
If you love making beautiful packaging actually work in production, please continue.

Location and working conditions

This role is based at our Central Head Office in Amsterdam. We work hybrid, with an 80% office / 20% work-from-home split, as close collaboration with stakeholders is key in this role.

Your steps to your new career

1. Apply via our career site
2. Recruiter Nadette will contact you within approximately 10 working days
3. First interview plus online assessment
4. Second interview including business assignment
5. Teams coffee with our Executive Director
6. Proposal with employment conditions