Job Title: Manager- Color & Artwork (West Coast Operations)

Brand: IT Cosmetics

Location: El Segundo, California

Overview:

We are seeking a Manager to join our Color and Artwork packaging team for Luxury Division in our El Segundo, California office. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of color matching, decoration development, and technical execution, ensuring the highest standards of quality, innovation, and sustainability. You will collaborate cross-functionally to bring our brand visions to life through exceptional packaging, managing projects from conception to launch while adhering to critical timelines and cost efficiencies.

What You Will Do:

Color & Aesthetic Management:

• Lead and oversee all color matching for a range of packaging components based on Marketing’s decoration brief and color targets
• Apply expert knowledge of color science to assess and approve color development across various materials, including PCR plastic resins, glass, paper cartons, labels etc. ensuring aesthetic consistency across product franchises and brands.
• Conduct thorough risk analyses on Marketing aesthetic briefs and provide recommendations for the highest perceived value decoration at the lowest cost.
• Partner effectively with Marketing and Operations to drive high quality decoration concepts that are feasible, cost-efficient & timely.
• Assist and oversee on site print trials and press approvals to ensure color and decoration compliance with L'Oréal's quality standards.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure no first production rejections due to missing color standards or inadequate defect panoplies.
• Contributes to essential elements for artwork routing and actively participates in the system-based artwork approval process

Packaging Project Execution:

• Manage packaging tasks for lower complexity projects, including the issuance of specifications and initiation of critical testing such as compatibility, decoration validation, and light resistance
• Drive extrapolation on testing through discussions with technical teams but also, while discussing conception with Brand Development and Marketing
• Foster the application of extrapolation techniques in homologation and compatibility investigation through close collaboration with technical teams, Marketing and Development.

Project Leadership & Risk Mitigation:

• Proactively anticipate and escalate any potential blocking points to internal stakeholders, ensuring Color & Artwork owned project deadlines are met and launches are achieved on schedule.
• Drive adherence to key decoration development timelines across Division, Operations, and external vendor partners
• Maintain transparent and timely communication with Development teams regarding any project schedule adjustments.
• Anticipate potential risks related to timing or conception and collaborate with Development and Packaging teams to formulate robust action plans, systematically utilizing L'Oréal's Risk Elevation Process.

Innovation & Sustainability:

• Lead the development of sustainable decoration solutions in alignment with L'Oréal's group-wide commitments and sustainability objectives.
• Provide recommendations for cost-effective and flexible decoration options at the project conception phase, balancing innovation with feasibility

Collaboration & Strategic Partnership:

• Actively participate in and/or lead decoration-focused discussions within conception meetings with Brand Development, offering expert advice to optimize project complexity and minimize time-to-market.
• Reinforce awareness among stakeholders regarding the financial impact of development decisions, including industrial budget spending (e.g., production color sample costs, on-site press approvals).
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of supplier and plant capabilities to inform conception meetings and strategic decisions.
• Be consumer-centric, leveraging consumer insights to guide decoration choices and innovation.
• Provide support to global operations partners on projects being executed in other zones

We Are Looking For:

The ideal candidate possesses a strong blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They are detail-oriented, possess excellent communication skills, and thrive in a collaborative environment. In addition:

• 5-8 years' experience in proven package development project work/quality experience, preferably in the cosmetics, consumer goods or related field is required
• A completed Bachelor’s degree in Packaging Engineering or a related engineering/technical discipline is required
• Travel to vendors and plants will be a requirement (10-15% of time)
• Proficient PC skills – Microsoft Office Suite, BOM/specification and artwork systems
• Excellent communication skills (written & verbal), to be able to deal effectively with all levels of our organization and our suppliers
• Good organizational skills to manage the documentation, materials and information
• Knowledge of new or emerging trends and technologies in packaging
• Must be team oriented and able to create strong relationships with all cross functional partners
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis, without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future. (required)
• The ability to be onsite, in the office, as this is an essential function of the position, including our NY and NJ sites (required)

What’s In It For You

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
• Real responsibility from day 1, there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal /environmental causes to make concrete difference
• Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Base Salary Range: $90,200 - $128,500 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level) 
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 days in Office, up to 2 days Work From Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L’Oréal’s Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs