My role at Safeway, then the UK’s forth-largest food retailer, was the most challenging in regards to the amount of stakeholders, clients and the level of accountability.

Responsibilities

I managed a studio of five and managed the priority list for a sister team of nine print negotiators, all driven to push projects through the studio as swiftly as possible.

Consistently met tight artwork deadlines for above 4.3 million dollars of print per year

At daily meetings, I checked incoming studio briefs, identified issues or accepted the brief into the studio, estimated the production and during the meeting, created the priority list for the studio.

The print department and studio team developed a strong rapport and mutual trust. Sometimes the workload required engaging a freelancer or asking the studio team to stay back after hours.

A studio request might also be received from any level of staff or management in the business, from headquarters or in-store.

Managed the artwork production for the Christmas Campaign, Safeway’s most successful ever, in terms of profit and campaign feedback.

Communication skills

Creating a studio brief required client discussion and guidance, communicating technical knowledge in laymen’s terms, suggesting opportunities for creative solutions, negotiating project scope and delivery terms and a considered approach to providing, and receiving constructive feedback.

Brand conformity

As a ‘brand custodian’, I was invited to campaign meetings with external creative agencies to ensure that the campaign met the brand guidelines and assist the creative agency in reaching approval.

  External Stakeholders

I would also liaise directly with major print companies to establish the technical delivery of artwork for large campaigns.