Creative Service Project Manager: International Coffee And tea, LLC (The Coffee Bean)

This position requires a team oriented individual with strong interpersonal and organizational skills who can successfully manage multiple Marketing and Operations projects, ensure that printed collateral meets marketing objectives, company branding guidelines, and leverage the latest technologies to address CBTL retail needs. The candidate must possess effective time management and cross-team communication skills and a disciplined approach to procurement practices to insure cost savings. Print, fulfillment/inventory management and procurement experience is required, with offset, digital and screen printing knowledge. Experience in best practices for creative digital asset management and maintaining online print ordering website is preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Work with Marketing Manager(s) for ICT owned, domestic and international franchisees to develop and refine marketing materials that best support business and marketing objectives while ensuring only approved assets are being utilized by CBTL owned stores and franchisees.

· Lead creative meetings with stakeholders assuring project scope is clearly defined and executed.

· Schedule and manage the implementation of special marketing projects for ICT store testing.

· Prioritize and fill the creative requests from franchisee stores within tight deadlines.

· Work closely with the lead designer and team members to execute effective design/graphic solutions and determine the production methods needed to fulfill design and business objectives.

• Manage project assignments with appropriate internal and external resources (including, but not limited to, print vendors, ad agencies, freelancers, PR and Marketing Firms).

· Negotiate and obtain quotes from vendors, prepare cost estimates, issue purchase orders, monitor costs and continually work toward cost savings.

· Manage print production workflow, enhance and streamline the creative process, and maintain release schedules throughout the print production process.

· Solicit and resolve inquiries and issues, obtain approvals of materials, and procure information and materials needed to process all requests. Insure the delivery and receipt of materials is on schedule and within budget.

• Manage Online Service Graphics/Print Solution with external vendor assuring that all creative assets are current according to the Domestic and International Marketing Calendar and maintain the archival library of digital assets.
• Create and manage a coding/parts system for and naming convention for all POP printed materials.
• Attend press checks if necessary to assure quality of all marketing materials are within brand guidelines.

EXPERIENCE

· A minimum of 5 years experience in managing a creative services teams, print production, project management, and vendor management.

· Extensive knowledge of separation and prepress production systems and processes, online print and data asset management.

· Ability to develop and articulate marketing requirements through creative briefs that require strong written and verbal communications skills.

· Proficient with Adobe CS software, including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

· Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.