Lead Design Operations Project Manager

Job Description:

Lead Design Operations Project Manager

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Lead Design Operations Project Manager, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by: 

• Focus on leading a diverse array of projects from simple to highly complex global packaging artwork through production art, approvals and through printing.
• Ability to lead creative / design and adaptation projects if needed.
• Drive global artwork consistency and design content accuracy within brand guidelines, while effectively managing details and proof-reading artwork.
• Understand packaging artwork requirements, including working with die lines, net contents, regulatory and warning texts, color and printing methods.
• Collaborate across many functions/disciplines within 3M (marketing, manufacturing, packaging engineering, regulatory, etc.) and with external agencies and printing companies.
• Strong problem solving and collaboration skills, keeping projects on brand, budget and on time.
• Manage project estimates, budget and timelines with internal and external partners.
• Strong knowledge of consumer brand design methodologies, including managing large global packaging redesigns from concept through production art to print.
• Adapt and work well with defined approaches, systems, best practices and processes.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and processes as needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external agency partners.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• High school diploma/ GED equivalent (completed and verified prior to start)
• Ten (10) years combined working experience in project management for packaging on production art within corporate, creative, agency and /or printing industry in a private, public, government or military environment
• Ten (10) years of experience in consumer packaging industry.
• Ten (10) years of experience in packaging artwork production with strong graphic design acumen.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• In-depth packaging design knowledge and experience with print production.
• Knowledge of packaging regulation and uniform packaging laws is important.
• Knowledge of consumer goods packaging industry.
• Experience in consumer healthcare industry.
• Understanding of current print and pre-press industry processes (offset, flexo, digital,
  gravure, etc.).
• Working knowledge of review tools, project management software, and Power BI applications.
• Ability to manage high volumes, shifting priorities, and tight timelines.
• Strong skills in communication, collaboration, time management and attention to detail, combined with a strategic approach.

Work location:

• This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.

 

Travel: May include up to 10%

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being 

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope. 

Chat with Max

For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers. 

Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $122,292 - $149,468, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en\_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 10/30/2025 To 11/29/2025 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en\_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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