Blue
JOHNNA IMEL
Graphics Process And Project Manager
Barrington Hills,IL
Summary
Talented professional considered knowledgeable leader and dedicated problem solver. Brings 30+ years of valuable expertise to forward company objectives. Attentive to detail with experience in coordinating projects, programs and improvements.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Packaging Graphics Process and Project Manager
Coho Creative, LLC Onsite @ Smithfield Foods
2 2021 - Current
- Planned, designed, tested and deployed Esko’s Blue graphics approval workflow and digital art approval system for an average 30% reduction in graphics project turn times.
- Streamlined processes for enhanced efficiency, working closely with cross-functional teams to identify gaps and redundancies.
- Championed best practices in project management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the program lifecycle.
- Created unique materials to support Blue role-based training on demand
- Developed comprehensive reports for senior management, enabling informed decision-making based on data-driven insights.
Graphics Production Coordinator
Coho Creative, LLC Onsite @ Smithfield Foods
02.2017 - 02.2021
- Coordinated and efficiently managed the cross-functional artwork production process for packaging graphics from kick-off to successful completion (printed packaging).
- Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to keep everyone on same page and working toward established business goals.
- Led change management initiatives to drive organizational transformation without compromising employee morale or productivity levels.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Streamlined workflows by identifying bottlenecks in existing systems and proactively addressing these challenges through appropriate solutions implementation.
- Evaluated operational practices and identified improvement opportunities to develop revisions for systems and procedures.
Production Manager/Graphic Designer
PECO Products
10.2015 - 01.2017
- Planned operations to meet established schedules, factoring in order demands and business forecasts.
- Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
- Developed creative design for print materials, banners and signs.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion of deliverables while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Mentored junior designers and provided design guidance to improve standards of overall team output.
Business Development/Special Projects Manager
Dixie Graphics, Inc.
11.2014 - 6 2015
- Researched and developed sales leads and relationships based on an integrated end-to-end packaging supply chain business model.
- Identified business opportunities to improve clients’ speed to market and capture cost savings using LEAN manufacturing principles and tools in a variety of industries.
- Researched and tested commercially available sales tools for the business development team and made recommendations to the senior leadership team.
Account Services Director
Dixie Graphics, Inc.
07.2013 - 10.2014
- Managed the account services team in order to evaluate skill sets and performance levels of the existing team during a time of company business model and leadership transition and make hiring/firing recommendations to senior leadership.
- Coordinated the college internship program.
- Identified, advocated and implemented best practices, standardized project management methodology, tools and resources to effectively assist team members with project management.
- Deployed LEAN manufacturing principles in a front office customer service setting.
- Supported the business development team by preventing and resolving customer service and quality issues.
Packaging Design Manager, Fresh Bakery Marketing
Sara Lee Corporation
02.2010 - 03.2012
- Lead the packaging planning project team, packaging budget and packaging commercialization process for brand marketing and sales from concept to product launch.
- Identified and implement best practices, standardized project management methodology, tools and resources to effectively manage packaging projects and assist team members with packaging project management.
- Provided direction, training, development feedback, problem solving and support to brand team members
- Document all packaging project processes and procedures within the fresh bakery in accordance with company-wide best practices and standard procedures.
- Assisted and supported prioritization of the Fresh Bakery packaging project workload.
- Interfaced and aligned with senior leadership, brand team members, packaging project team members and cross-functional team members to ensure that business objectives were met.
- Identified and implemented business opportunities to improve speed-to-market and capture cost savings.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
Bakery Team Lead Packaging Graphics Coordinator
Sara Lee Corporation
02.2007 - 02.2010
Packaging Graphics Coordinator
Sara Lee Corporation
12.2005 - 02.2007
Production Coordinator/Customer Service Representative
Schawk Chicago
05.2001 - 09.2005
Print Shop and Mail Room Manager, Purchasing
Holy Family Medical Center
10.1997 - 05.2001
Lead Technician, Print Shop, Purchasing
Holy Family Medical Center
10.1996 - 10.1997
Forms Coordinator, Print Shop, Purchasing
Holy Family Medical Center
04.1995 - 10.1996
Assistant Production Coordinator
Terms Commercial Printing
08.1993 - 04.1995
Bookkeeper
Terms Commercial Printing
04.1991 - 08.1993
Education
Managing Multiple Projects, 3/10, Leadership in a Project Environment, 12/08, Project Management Essentials, 11/08 -
Project Management College
Successfully Managing People, 9/07 - undefined
American Management Association
Color Management for Flexography for FTA-RIT, 8/06 - undefined
Rochester Institute of Technology
Fundamentals of Packaging, 6/06 - undefined
Bemis Co. Inc.
Basic Flexography Seminar, 2/02 - undefined
Fox Valley Technical College
Bard College
Hudson, NY 09.1985 - 05.1987
High School Diploma -
The Hun School of Princeton
Princeton, NJ 05.2001 -
Skills
Continuous Improvement
Change Management
Cross-functional team engagement
Teamwork and Collaboration
Lean manufacturing and design
Project planning and development
Training Manual Creation
Employee Training
Software
Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Timeline
Graphics Production Coordinator
Coho Creative, LLC Onsite @ Smithfield Foods
02.2017 - 02.2021
Production Manager/Graphic Designer
PECO Products
10.2015 - 01.2017
Business Development/Special Projects Manager
Dixie Graphics, Inc.
11.2014 - 6 2015
Account Services Director
Dixie Graphics, Inc.
07.2013 - 10.2014
Packaging Design Manager, Fresh Bakery Marketing
Sara Lee Corporation
02.2010 - 03.2012
Bakery Team Lead Packaging Graphics Coordinator
Sara Lee Corporation
02.2007 - 02.2010
Packaging Graphics Coordinator
Sara Lee Corporation
12.2005 - 02.2007
High School Diploma -
The Hun School of Princeton
05.2001 -
Production Coordinator/Customer Service Representative
Schawk Chicago
05.2001 - 09.2005
Print Shop and Mail Room Manager, Purchasing
Holy Family Medical Center
10.1997 - 05.2001
Lead Technician, Print Shop, Purchasing
Holy Family Medical Center
10.1996 - 10.1997
Forms Coordinator, Print Shop, Purchasing
Holy Family Medical Center
04.1995 - 10.1996
Assistant Production Coordinator
Terms Commercial Printing
08.1993 - 04.1995
Bookkeeper
Terms Commercial Printing
04.1991 - 08.1993
Bard College
09.1985 - 05.1987
Packaging Graphics Process and Project Manager
Coho Creative, LLC Onsite @ Smithfield Foods
2 2021 - Current
Managing Multiple Projects, 3/10, Leadership in a Project Environment, 12/08, Project Management Essentials, 11/08 -
Project Management College
Successfully Managing People, 9/07 - undefined
American Management Association
Color Management for Flexography for FTA-RIT, 8/06 - undefined
Rochester Institute of Technology
Fundamentals of Packaging, 6/06 - undefined
Bemis Co. Inc.
Basic Flexography Seminar, 2/02 - undefined
Fox Valley Technical College