Job Description

Contract Senior Project Manager, Packaging & Creative Operations

Department: Marketing

Employment Type: Contract

Location: Remote

Compensation: $85.00 - $95.00 / hour

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build upon and continuously improve existing in-house operations processes by integrating creative best practices, design workflows, production, and prepress into a seamless end-to-end packaging development process.
• Establish and scale cross-functional project management processes that improve efficiency, visibility, and collaboration across Creative, Marketing, Regulatory, Product Development, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain.
• Ensure quality, design and creative integrity are maintained throughout all stages of packaging development, artwork production, proofing, and commercialization.
• Develop standardized workflows, templates, governance, and documentation to support a growing portfolio of packaging and marketing initiatives.
• Partner closely with Creative leadership to optimize resource planning, workload management, and project prioritization.
• Identify process improvement opportunities that reduce cycle times while maintaining quality, regulatory compliance, and brand consistency.
• Lead and manage packaging, labeling, artwork, and marketing projects from concept through final production.
• Develop project timelines, resource plans, and schedules for new product launches, packaging updates, reformulations, and line extensions.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Marketing, Creative, Regulatory Affairs, Product Development, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.
• Manage packaging artwork workflows, approvals, version control, and file management processes.
• Ensure packaging and labeling projects comply with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and brand guidelines.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external packaging suppliers, printers, and production vendors to meet project milestones.
• Facilitate packaging reviews, proof approvals, and production readiness assessments.
• Monitor project budgets, packaging costs, and vendor performance.
• Drive continuous improvement of packaging development processes and project management workflows.
• Support product launch initiatives by ensuring packaging deliverables align with commercialization timelines.
• Conduct regular project status meetings and communicate progress, risks, and timelines to stakeholders.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Experience and/or Education: By training, education, and/or experience, employee must be able to perform the essential duties of the job. High school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. A minimum of 7–10+ years of project management experience supporting packaging, creative operations, brand marketing, or integrated marketing teams within a consumer packaged goods (CPG), food & beverage, health & wellness, or manufacturing environment.
• Computer and Technical Skills: Demonstrates proficiency in the use of the equipment and software required to accomplish the responsibilities of the position.
• Language Ability: Employee is able to read and understand written directions in English, including the Thorne Research Employee Handbook The employee follows instructions, both verbal and written, and communicates effectively with supervisors and fellow employees.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field preferred; PMP certification a plus.
• Demonstrated success establishing and scaling new project management processes across multiple cross-functional departments within a high-growth organization.
• Strong knowledge of creative operations, packaging design workflows, artwork management, print production, prepress, and packaging commercialization.
• Experience integrating creative best practices into operational workflows while balancing business priorities, regulatory requirements, and production timelines.
• Proven ability to protect and uphold creative and design integrity throughout project execution from concept through final production.
• Experience partnering with internal creative teams, external agencies, printers, packaging suppliers, and production vendors.
• Exceptional organizational, process improvement, and change management skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority and successfully drive organizational adoption of new workflows and processes.
• Proficiency in Wrike, the project management tool
• Experience in vitamins & supplements, food & beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience in quality management tools such as ETQ
• Strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration and team management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ensuring projects meet quality, safety, regulatory, and business objectives on time and to spec.
• Possess good interpersonal skills and engage others in a positive manner.
• Reporting project status and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding design principles, print production, and marketing processes.
• Strong attention to detail and quality assurance.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborative and adaptable approach to work.
• Prior agency experience a plus