Graphic Design Manager - Corrugated Packaging

International Paper•Fort Smith, AR

6h•$118,400 - $197,300•Onsite

About The Position

Lead the Team Lead, coach and develop a team of graphic designers, 3D modelers and digital content specialists supporting national account and business-level packaging design. Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular one-to-ones and performance/development conversations, and build succession depth within the design function. Attract, select and onboard design talent; build a pipeline of internal and external candidates for critical design and prepress roles. Manage workload allocation, project intake and prioritization across competing customer and business requests. Own the department budget, capital requests for design and print technology, and vendor/agency relationships. Lead the Work Set the creative direction and quality standards for corrugated packaging design, printed sales material, and digital content across the customer portfolio. Partner with national account sales teams, marketing, innovation and IP graphics to translate customer needs into winning design solutions and to influence design-led selling opportunities. Establish and continuously improve workflow, file management, approval and prepress processes to reduce cycle time and rework. Govern brand management standards for both IP and customer brands; serve as the escalation point on brand, color and print reproduction issues. Oversee prepress, color proofing and color matching capability supporting large-format digital printing, including photo spectrometer standards and color governance across production facilities. Direct 3D product modeling, animation and Augmented Reality experience development in support of customer presentations and innovation efforts. Oversee video, audio and photography production in the media center setting. Evaluate and introduce emerging design, print and digital technologies; build the business case and lead adoption. Represent the design function in customer-facing meetings, business reviews and innovation sessions. Define and track metrics for design throughput, quality, cost and customer satisfaction; report results to business leadership.

Requirements

BA/BS in Graphics, Product Engineering, Packaging or a related program.
10+ years’ experience in a graphics role, with 5 or more preferably in corrugated.
3+ years of demonstrated leadership experience – direct people leadership strongly preferred; project or team leadership considered.
Working knowledge of 3D modeling software, Augmented Reality (AR) software, Adobe Creative Cloud (Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, InDesign) and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Understanding of CAD packaging software and corrugated packaging print processes.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets, vendors and design project portfolios.
Proven ability to influence and present to senior business and customer stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Portfolio and examples of team/project leadership may be requested.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach and develop a team of graphic designers, 3D modelers and digital content specialists supporting national account and business-level packaging design.
Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular one-to-ones and performance/development conversations, and build succession depth within the design function.
Attract, select and onboard design talent; build a pipeline of internal and external candidates for critical design and prepress roles.
Manage workload allocation, project intake and prioritization across competing customer and business requests.
Own the department budget, capital requests for design and print technology, and vendor/agency relationships.
Set the creative direction and quality standards for corrugated packaging design, printed sales material, and digital content across the customer portfolio.
Partner with national account sales teams, marketing, innovation and IP graphics to translate customer needs into winning design solutions and to influence design-led selling opportunities.
Establish and continuously improve workflow, file management, approval and prepress processes to reduce cycle time and rework.
Govern brand management standards for both IP and customer brands; serve as the escalation point on brand, color and print reproduction issues.
Oversee prepress, color proofing and color matching capability supporting large-format digital printing, including photo spectrometer standards and color governance across production facilities.
Direct 3D product modeling, animation and Augmented Reality experience development in support of customer presentations and innovation efforts.
Oversee video, audio and photography production in the media center setting.
Evaluate and introduce emerging design, print and digital technologies; build the business case and lead adoption.
Represent the design function in customer-facing meetings, business reviews and innovation sessions.
Define and track metrics for design throughput, quality, cost and customer satisfaction; report results to business leadership.