Senior Packaging Services Specialist

Position Summary

Topco Associates is seeking a Sr. Packaging Operations Specialist to join our Brand Management & Packaging Operations team in Itasca, IL. This hybrid position is based in our Itasca office three days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely two days per week.

Topco's Brand Management & Packaging Operations team helps shape and manage the identity of Topco's Own Brands, overseeing packaging development and execution across a diverse portfolio of products. The team partners with Category Management, Sourcing, suppliers, creative agencies, and other internal stakeholders to ensure packaging effectively represents our brands while supporting business objectives and member needs.

The Sr. Packaging Operations Specialist plays a key role in coordinating the execution of packaging projects from initial intake through completion. This position manages project information and timelines, coordinates with internal and external partners, tracks costs and deliverables, and helps ensure packaging projects are completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.

Success in this role requires strong project management and organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to build productive relationships across a variety of teams. The ideal candidate is energized by working with brands, consumers, and creative projects and enjoys bringing structure and organization to complex, deadline-driven work.

About Topco

Topco's mission is to deliver sourcing, procurement, and business solutions that help our member-owners achieve a competitive advantage. We partner with regional retailers, wholesalers, and food service organizations across the country to provide programs and services that create long-term value.

We believe diverse perspectives drive stronger ideas, better decisions, and greater innovation. We're committed to building collaborative teams where employees can grow professionally while making a meaningful impact for our members.

Packaging Project Management

• Initiate packaging projects and ensure project information, creative assets, and required approvals are complete and accurate.
• Manage project timelines, key milestones, deliverables, and workflow activities across multiple concurrent packaging initiatives.
• Partner with internal stakeholders, creative agencies, suppliers, and other external partners to initiate projects and address any questions regarding timing, cost, or quality.
• Maintain accurate project information within packaging workflow and project management systems.
• Support packaging operations and project-related follow-up with internal and external partners as needed.

Brand & Packaging Support

• Support the execution of packaging for Topco Own Brands while ensuring projects align with established brand identity, packaging standards, and business objectives.
• Coordinate materials and information for internal packaging reviews with Brand Management, creative agency partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Capture, organize, and track feedback and action items from packaging reviews to ensure timely follow-through.
• Partner with Brand Management and other stakeholders to ensure packaging projects are executed consistently and effectively across the portfolio.

Cost Management & Reporting

• Use established packaging design pricing guidelines to develop estimated and actual project costs for Category Management and Sourcing teams.
• Serve as a resource for internal teams and suppliers regarding packaging project costs and related questions.
• Develop and distribute recurring packaging reports to appropriate cross-functional teams.
• Analyze project and operational data to identify issues, trends, exceptions, and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain accurate project and packaging information to support effective reporting and decision-making.

Member & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support the development and execution of Topco Own Brand product concept surveys distributed to member-owners throughout the year.
• Partner with Category Management and Insights teams to coordinate survey activities and support new product innovation initiatives.
• Manage survey timelines, deliverables, and…