HOW A SENIOR MANAGEMENT LED IMPLEMENTATION TRANSFORMED PACKAGING DELIVERY FOR DICK’S SPORTING GOODS

When Dick’s Sporting Goods launched an RFP process in 2018, they outlined several critical challenges within their packaging workflow. Production timelines were too slow. Service levels lacked consistency. Support across the wider supply chain was fragmented. And perhaps most importantly, innovation and strategic partnership from the incumbent provider had stalled. They weren’t simply looking for a supply partner change, they had identified a gap in strategic alignment and were looking for better ways of working.

From the outset, JPG’s senior leadership team led the transition and implementation process. Rather than applying a standard onboarding model, we brought together leaders from each core discipline across the business to work closely with the DSG team to map the entire packaging workflow, identifying stakeholder roles and responsibilities, process bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. Together, we redesigned the process to eliminate inefficiencies, simplify approvals and accelerate the path from design to print.

Within a 12-week implementation period, JPG:

• Created a structured implementation and governance framework with weekly operational reviews
• Established a dedicated artwork and prepress production team
• Introduced onsite personnel
• Implemented two supporting technology solutions

But beyond process and technology, the foundation of the partnership was built through transparency, responsiveness and consistent delivery.

The impact was immediate and measurable:

• The end-to-end design-to-print timeline was reduced by more than 3 weeks
• Average artwork revision cycles reduced from an average of 3.5 to 1.5
• Operational visibility, responsiveness and collaboration improved significantly across teams

Most importantly, the senior management led partnership model strengthened trust between JPG and DSG, accelerating decision making and positioning JPG as a true extension of the client’s packaging team.

That foundation has since resulted in two additional multi-year contract extensions, a strong reflection of the long-term value, consistency and partnership approach established from day one.

At JPG, our leadership team stays close.