Senior Adaptive Designer

Kwikee - Chicago, IL

- Senior

Hybrid - Chicago, IL

Machinery Manufacturing

About the position

The Senior Adaptive Designer is responsible for championing a brand's design intent and master creative as it is extended and adapted across a variety of media types. The Senior Adaptive Designer has a deep understanding of brand design - ensuring brand continuity is maintained across touchpoints including packaging design, in-store activations, and trade material. This position is located inside our client's organization, in Chicago, at a leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods company. As an onsite Senior Adaptive Designer, you will service a diverse variety of brands within our client's portfolio - in categories ranging from candy to cookies and seasonal limited editions. While your focus will be to adapt packaging designs across all formats, line extensions, and languages - your broad range of competencies and expertise will also allow you to lead projects across packaging, in-store activations and trade material support. A skilled communicator and presenter - you will provide our clients and teams with senior level support and service, acting as a liaison between your onsite location and external Marks design studios.

Responsibilities

• Provide insider knowledge and design support to clients on projects ranging from packaging design concepting and adaptation to in-store activations including Point of Sale material (POS)
• Interpret master creative and/or brand guidelines on adaptive design programs through to artwork execution (meeting legal and regulatory compliance)
• Work with Marks Creative/Design Directors to develop and refine ideas on higher-complexity design projects
• Design and execute ideas with a high level of skill across a broad range of styles
• Create presentation decks that showcase the excellence of your work
• Listen to and partner with key stakeholders in the client's organization to ensure solutions address their needs
• Review client briefs for readiness and ask clarifying questions to ensure accurate action
• Present work for maximum clarity and impact with strong supporting rationales
• Act as a liaison between the onsite location and external Marks design, accounts, and project management teams
• Maintain a positive and open dialogue with team members throughout the project life-cycle
• Foster a collaborative approach with Marks design studios and other agencies within the sgsco pillar
• Manage own design work throughout a typical project lifecycle
• Manage and filter priorities to ensure work is completed on time
• Help to enhance workflows and processes, ensuring high quality standards are maintained
• Work in parallel with Marks design studios and scheduling departments when external design support is required

Requirements

• Demonstrated design expertise in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
• Expertise in branding, in-store activations, and trade materials
• Strong understanding of packaging requirements, including dielines, rollovers, type height and weight, line thickness and safety zones
• Highly knowledgeable in print processes, finishes, and separations
• Understanding of Regulatory and Legislative copy requirements for packaging (specifically food)
• Experience working within an in-house studio is an asset
• Ability to work independently as well as alongside a remote team
• Attention to detail, well organized thought and work processes
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills - both written and verbal
• Ability to thrive in the demands of pressing deadlines and confidently manage multiple priorities

Nice-to-haves

• 10+ years of experience in a graphic design and/or production role
• College or University diploma in graphics, packaging design, or production is preferred
• Proficient using Mac OS, Adobe Creative Suite (Expert knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign), Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Keynote
• A valid passport and ability to travel - to work in conjunction with Marks design studios