Graphic Design Manager - Corrugated Packaging

Graphic Design Manager – Corrugated Packaging

Pay Rate:

$118,400 - $197,300

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP’s annual and long-term incentive plans.

Category/Shift:

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

4140 Campus Dr.

Aurora IL 60504

The Job You Will Perform:

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. 

The Skills You Will Bring:

• 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. 

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

Competencies: 

• Business Insight – Applies knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals. 

• Customer Focus – Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions. 

• Cultivates Innovation – Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. 

• Decision Quality – Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. 

Results 

• Directs Work – Provides direction, delegates, and removes obstacles to get work done. 

• Plans and Aligns – Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. 

• Optimizes Work Processes – Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. 

• Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. 

• Drives Results – Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. 

People 

• Develops Talent – Develops people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals. 

• Builds Effective Teams – Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. 

• Attracts Top Talent – Attracts and selects the best talent to meet current and future business needs. 

• Communicates Effectively – Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. 

• Collaborates – Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. 

• Drives Engagement – Creates a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives. 

Self 

• Instills Trust – Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. 

• Manages Ambiguity – Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. 

• Situational Adaptability – Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. 

• Courage – Steps up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.