Graphics Specialist

At American Packaging Corporation (APC), you'll find the packaging career you've been looking for. With competitive salaries, excellent benefits, 401(k) plans and tuition reimbursement programs, we nurture our employees while advancing and promoting diversity and inclusion. As the leading flexible packaging converter in North America for over a century, APC's longstanding success is fueled from the inside out. We're constantly seeking to improve our internal operations and were named a "Best of the Best" in the Best workplaces in the America's awards for 12 years in a row. It's how and why we engage the best and brightest talent to continue propelling our shared success into the future.

Graphics Specialist

LOCATION: Story City IA

SHIFT: M-F 8am-5pm

SUMMARY: The Graphics Specialist at American Packaging Corporation (APC) plays a crucial role in managing and executing customer graphics projects from inception through to final production approval. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, effective communication skills, and a strong understanding of pre-press and printing processes. The Graphics Specialist collaborates closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate execution of artwork and graphics-related tasks.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Graphics Manager/Graphics Supervisor

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Participate in training, embrace concepts of and actively practice the SPOT Safety Program fundamentals to aid American Packaging Corporation's efforts to achieve a zero-accident rate. Adhere to all company safety guidelines.
• Establish execution strategies for customer graphics projects, including new product launches, line extensions, redesigns, trials, and cost-savings projects. Follow APC procedures, objectives, timing, and financial commitments in specified systems.
• Attend pre-production meetings with customers and suppliers as needed and schedule internal pre-pro meetings as defined by APC procedures.
• Review and approve artwork for accuracy and compliance with COE, industry, print, and government regulations. Make recommendations for improvement and document/resolve specification deviations.
• Coordinate proof approval processes with customers, separators, print tool suppliers, and internal manufacturing teams through effective written and verbal communication.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Manufacturing, Customer Service, Production Control, Technical, separators, plate vendors, and ink vendors.
• Complete print order specifications, purchase orders, cost estimates, and invoices related to artwork development projects.
• Manage customer press approvals, ensuring compliance with APC requirements and assisting with color adjustments to gain final customer approval.
• Understand & be capable of initiating fingerprint trials with our key suppliers & then interpreting the results.
• Take proactive steps to solve problems and undertake new projects as they arise, demonstrating self-motivation and initiative.
• Assemble, distribute, and maintain customer approved color standards, providing samples to internal and external customers as required.
• Stay informed about new pre-press graphics technology advancements.
• Attend and participate in all company mandated meetings.
• Limited business travel may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Minimum two years training towards a Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university, five years related work experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

Candidate must possess/exhibit the following skills/abilities:

• Strong project management, time management, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills a must.
• Self-directed, self-starter who has the ability to motivate team members and be proactive.
• Experience in Flexography or Rotogravure printing.
• Familiarity with both Mac and PC platforms
• Working knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite, Filemaker Pro, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop
• Absenteeism: at work every day on time
• Accuracy: uncompromised
• Communication Skills: technical information, internal/external customers, all levels of employees
• Conflict Resolution
• Confidentiality
• Detail: attention to
• Innovation: constantly re-develop systems
• Organizational skills
• Presentation skills
• Professionalism/professional demeanor
• Team: work as a member with all employees

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and climb or balance. The employee is regularly required to hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Any lifting over 50 pounds would require assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

American Packaging Corporation is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. American Packaging Corporation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. EOE/AA Disability/Veteran.

If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at:

talentacquisition@americanpackaging.com.