Sr Manager, Graphic Design

KeHE Distributors, LLC•Naperville, IL

10d

About The Position

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge of Adobe programs including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro
Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, able to influence at all organizational levels.
Strong track record of successfully designing and implementing innovative strategic projects and tools throughout a large organization.
Strong project management and time management skills.
Proven ability to develop and execute strategic creative project plans that drive results.
Ability to effectively manage a wide variety of tasks simultaneously and often with time conflicting pressures.
Ability to develop highly effective relationships at all levels both internally and externally.
Strong track record of leading a team of creative professionals.
Demonstrated ability to work productively and effectively as part of a team.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including some weekends.
Exhibits a growth mindset; open to coaching and feedback; continuously learns.
Unleashes the potential of the creative employees that drives innovation by providing mentorship and meaningful opportunities for professional growth.
Ability to manage a team in providing feedback, guidance, and leadership following with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Civility Code.
Bachelor’s degree in visual communications or related field of study.
8+ years of related experience in graphic design or marketing.
5+ years of management experience.

Responsibilities

Provides creative leadership and strategic direction to a team of designers, overseeing the development of high-impact visual solutions that elevate and protect the KeHE brand.
Leads the creation of KeHE publications and a wide range of creative projects, including social communications, advertising initiatives, and trade show signage.
Ensures brand consistency, innovation, and excellence across every touchpoint by collaborating with the Advertising, Communications, and Event Marketing teams.
Maintains, evolves, and implements KeHE’s brand strategy across all channels of the organization.
Partners with Advertising, Marketing, and Event teams to ensure all creative outputs reinforce the organization’s brand positioning and voice.
Leads and mentors a team of graphic designers and freelancers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
Leads the strategic planning and oversees the development of high-impact visual projects across digital (website, social, email), print, and experiential channels—including trade shows and events—ensuring alignment with enterprise brand strategy, business objectives, and measurable performance outcomes.
Oversees and manages the creation of all publications, both digital and printed, to ensure they are on time and accurate.
Assists KeHE leaders with creating dynamic PowerPoint presentations.
Creates structured project plans for the Creative team that reflect all defined requirements and approved project specifications.
Ensures all printed projects are within the expense budgets.
Partners in the strategic planning and development of an in-house agency model; establishing scalable processes, service tiers, and creative solutions to support supplier and retailer advertising initiatives.
Collaborates closely with the Advertising team to conceptualize and deliver revenue-driving creative solutions for external clients, ensuring strategic alignment with their brand standards, marketing goals, and business objectives.
Provides strategic thought leadership in the development of external customer advertising proposals and RFP responses.
Collaborates with the Advertising team to develop, pilot, and implement a Retail Media Network.
Oversees and continuously optimizes the end-to-end creative workflow for advertising initiatives, establishing scalable processes, governance standards, and resource allocation strategies to ensure timelines, budgets, quality benchmarks, and business objectives are consistently achieved.
Strategically delegates responsibilities across the Creative team, overseeing project strategy, concept development, and quality assurance to ensure all deliverables are executed with excellence and completed on schedule.
Leverages AI-powered tools and emerging technologies to streamline creative workflows, enhance design innovation, accelerate production timelines, and improve overall team efficiency.
Assists Creative Director and the Creative team with various tasks as necessary.
Directs video production strategy across brand and advertising initiatives, aligning creative execution with objectives, performance metrics, and brand standards while ensuring fiscal responsibility and production excellence.
Meets with key stakeholders to conceptualize, scope, and develop project deliverables and timelines.
Proactively identifies and recommends innovative approaches to elevate the quality of design work and address project-related challenges with strategic, solution-oriented thinking.
Assists the Marketing team with various Excel and Word formatting projects.
Assists in providing strategy on incorporating the strategic plan within marketing/graphics.
Performs other duties and projects as assigned.