Experienced Creative Project Manager; process builder and integration leader for in-house creative teams.

Creative production project manager with branding and product development experience in the consumer package goods industry; working with clients in production procurement and quality control to ensure highest standards and consistency of brand throughout.

Specialties: Food Branding and Packaging, Project Management, Packaging Development, Print Production Management, Print Production.

15+ years of experience in consumer-packaged goods (CPG), specializing in food packaging. Expertise in creative project management, process development, and cross-functional leadership. Driving packaging design from ideation through commercialization, managing budgets and guiding teams to deliver packaging solutions that align with brand equities. Bilingual (English/Spanish) with vendor and agency partnership experience.


 
EXPERIENCE

2019 - present  — Freelance Consulting
Clients: Creative Circle, JDD (Kirkland, Vevan, Cello Cheese), VIB Network, WestSouth, Chuao Chocolatier.

•	Project based services in design, pre-production and operations.

Chosen Foods, San Diego, CA
2015 - 2018  — Packaging Dir. & Print Production Manager

•	Drive and manage packaging development from ideation to launch.
•	Led and grew the in-house creative team; recruiting and training.
•	Contributed to the strategic development of brand.
•	Art directed branding pieces: packaging, collateral, etc.
•	R&D: packaging concepts based on form factor, function, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
•	Developed department’s operational packaging design process.
•	Workflow, project planning, creative reviews and change requests. 
•	Procurement: Managed and sourced contractors and vendors. Worked closely with Supply Chain on timelines, cost and vendor selection.
•	International markets: Regulatory compliance per country. 
•	Private Labels: HEB, CM, Abound, Thrive, Great Value, etc.

Jenny Craig, Carlsbad, CA
06-12/ 2014 — Contracted (Creative Circle) Sr. Packaging Designer

•	Implemented new brand design across 40+ pack dielines and 140 SKUs
•	International Regulatory compliance for USA and Canada.

Disguise, Poway, CA
2009 - 2012 — Contracted Packaging Designer

•	+ 6,000 SKUs per Halloween season.
•	Tri-lingual products for US, Mexico and Canada.

Professional Design and Drafting, La Jolla, CA
2008 - 2009 — Part-time Assistant 

•	Permit processing, historical dossiers, site visits, documentation.

Chuao Chocolatier, Carlsbad, CA

2002 - 2008 — Creative Director & Print Production Manager
•	Start-up team member. Branding development. 
•	Design and prototype form factors for packaging.
•	Retail environments for 5 retail stores.
•	Print production and vendor procurement.
 


SKILLS

MANAGEMENT: Managing projects. Cross-functional methodologies creating and implementing processes; analytical attention to detail and organization. Growth stages. Leading team development through leadership initiatives.

CREATIVE: Brief reviews and approvals; Packaging CPG and branding, style guides and private labels. Packaging design extensions and form factors.

PRODUCTION: Print production, on-press supervision, and Quality Control. Bill of Material. Source and develop packaging. Primary and secondary packaging. Collaborate with vendors / co-packers. Sustainability. Extensive food FDA packaging compliance experience.

SOFTWARE: 
•	Adobe Creative Cloud
•	Microsoft Office Suite.
•	Asana, Wrike, Smartsheets.

LANGUAGES:  English & Spanish

AWARDS
American Graphic Design Packaging:
•	Chosen Foods dressing (2018)
•	Teal Electronics Box (2013)


EDUCATION

•	M.F.A. - Graphic Design. Savannah College of Art & Design
•	(PMCP) Project management. Certification Program. San Diego Continuing Education