Packaging Graphic Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Packaging Graphic Design Manager

Company: Dollar Shave Club

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Management & Leadership

Date Posted: November 11, 2025

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in-office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end design and development of innovative packaging solutions across a diverse product portfolio, including core SKUs, limited-time offers (LTOs), and special collections, ensuring timely delivery and exceptional creative output.

• Translate overarching brand strategy and deep consumer insights into impactful packaging concepts that resonate with target audiences and drive shelf appeal within competitive retail environments.

• Manage and mentor a Production Designer, fostering their growth and ensuring the team's collective work adheres to stringent creative standards and achieves flawless execution in print and retail settings.

• Spearhead the design and execution of dynamic retail displays, end caps, and shopper marketing collateral, aiming to capture consumer attention and maximize conversion rates at the point of purchase.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Packaging Graphic Design Manager at Dollar Shave Club integrates core graphic design responsibilities with strategic brand alignment and team leadership. The emphasis on "bringing brands to life on shelves and in stores" and translating "brand storytelling into impactful end caps, displays, and shopper marketing materials" suggests a strong focus on Go-To-Market (GTM) execution and retail activation, which are critical areas for operations professionals to understand if they interact with or support these functions. The management aspect also points towards potential involvement in resource allocation and workflow optimization within the design team.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the comprehensive design and development lifecycle for all packaging initiatives, from initial brainstorming and concept ideation through prototype refinement and final production, ensuring all deliverables are completed within established timelines.

• Foster robust partnerships with Brand, Marketing, and Product Development teams to ensure packaging designs are seamlessly aligned with overarching brand narratives, marketing objectives, and critical consumer insights.

• Cultivate strong collaborative relationships with external suppliers, printers, and manufacturing vendors to guarantee the production of high-quality, print-ready artwork and to achieve cost-efficient execution without compromising design integrity.

• Conceptualize, design, and oversee the production of compelling retail displays, impactful end caps, and engaging in-store signage, all meticulously crafted to enhance brand visibility and drive sales conversions.

• Provide strategic creative direction, constructive feedback, and dedicated career development support to a Production Designer, nurturing their professional growth and ensuring team-wide adherence to design excellence.

• Assume ownership of and actively evolve existing packaging guidelines and design systems, ensuring brand consistency and functional integrity while continuously exploring opportunities for creative innovation and differentiation.

• Maintain a keen awareness of emerging packaging design trends, advancements in sustainable material practices, and cutting-edge retail merchandising techniques to inform and elevate design strategies.

• Offer support for broader brand design initiatives beyond core packaging needs, contributing creative expertise across various marketing and branding touchpoints as required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on creative execution and cross-functional collaboration, typical of GTM roles that interface with Marketing and Product teams. The emphasis on "production-ready files," "cost-efficient execution," and "retail merchandising" indicates a need for a strong understanding of operational constraints and supply chain considerations within the design process. The management of packaging guidelines and design systems also points to process standardization and scalability, key operational concerns.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Managerial role of this nature in the creative industry.

Experience: 6+ years of dedicated experience in packaging design, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector, particularly in personal care brands. This experience should encompass a proven track record of managing projects from initial concept generation through to final production and print execution. A minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a mentorship or direct management capacity, leading junior designers or production staff, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio Excellence: A robust and compelling portfolio that clearly showcases extensive experience in packaging design, retail display concepts, and successful execution of limited-time offer (LTO) or seasonal product packaging.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and execute design projects across their entire lifecycle, from ideation and concept development to final production and launch.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Proven experience in guiding, mentoring, and managing junior design staff, providing clear creative direction, constructive feedback, and fostering their professional development.

• Technical Proficiency: Fluent command of the Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, for creating high-fidelity designs and production-ready artwork. Familiarity with 3D rendering or mockup tools is also crucial.

• Production & Material Expertise: Solid understanding of print production processes, including the ability to interpret and create dielines, knowledge of various packaging materials, and strong grasp of retail merchandising principles and best practices.

• Business Acumen: Capacity to strategically balance creative vision and design excellence with practical business requirements, including budget constraints and project timelines.

• Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team environment, demonstrating a proactive approach and exceptional attention to detail in all tasks.

Preferred Skills:

• Shopper Marketing Acumen: Knowledge of shopper marketing principles and retail strategy, understanding how packaging design influences consumer behavior at the point of sale.

• Sustainability Focus: Familiarity with sustainable packaging materials and design practices, aligning with growing consumer and corporate environmental consciousness.

• Brand System Development: Experience in developing and maintaining comprehensive brand design systems that ensure consistency and scalability across various product lines and touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing packaging, retail displays, and LTO/seasonal work" and "proven ability to manage projects from concept through to production" strongly suggests that candidates will need to present case studies demonstrating their process, problem-solving skills, and impact on sales or brand perception. The requirement for "1-2+ years of experience mentoring or managing junior designers" indicates a need for leadership and workflow management skills, which are foundational to operations roles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Packaging Design Case Studies: Detailed case studies showcasing the entire design journey for at least 3-5 distinct packaging projects. Each case study should highlight the initial brief, concept development process, design iterations, rationale behind creative decisions, and final execution.

• Retail Activation Examples: Specific examples of retail displays, end caps, or shopper marketing materials designed, demonstrating an understanding of shelf impact, merchandising principles, and driving consumer engagement at the point of sale.

• Systemic Consistency: Evidence of how the candidate has maintained or developed brand consistency and functional integrity across multiple SKUs or product lines, potentially through the use of style guides or design systems.

• Production-Ready Deliverables: Examples or descriptions of how designs were translated into production-ready files, including dielines and specifications, showcasing an understanding of print production constraints and vendor collaboration.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to articulate and demonstrate a structured design workflow from brief to final artwork, including stages for concepting, review, revision, and production handoff. Candidates should be prepared to discuss how they optimize these workflows for efficiency and quality.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how design processes were implemented or streamlined, potentially through the use of templates, digital asset management systems, or collaboration tools that facilitate efficient execution and version control.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: While not a direct responsibility here, candidates should be prepared to discuss how packaging design contributes to key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales lift, brand recognition, and consumer feedback, demonstrating an understanding of design's impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio is paramount. Candidates must be able to visually and verbally articulate their design process, problem-solving approach, and the tangible impact of their work. This aligns with operations' focus on documented processes, efficiency, and measurable results, albeit through a creative lens. A strong portfolio will implicitly demonstrate an understanding of operational constraints in design execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000 per year, plus bonus.

• Methodology: This range is provided directly in the job description. For a Packaging Graphic Design Manager role in Durham, North Carolina, with 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities, this salary range aligns with industry benchmarks for similar positions in mid-to-large sized companies. Durham, NC, offers a competitive cost of living compared to major coastal hubs, supporting this salary bracket.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage with low premium options.
  • Supplemental coverage options available.
  • Free life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.

• Financial Security & Retirement:

  • 401(k) plan with a generous company match: 100% of the first 2% of contributions, and 50% of up to an additional 4% of contributions, with no vesting period.

• Work-Life Balance & Flexibility:

  • Unlimited vacation time and generous sick leave.
  • Half-day Fridays year-round (contingent on business needs).

• Family Support:

  • 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
  • 4 weeks of fully paid disability leave.

• Perks & Allowances:

  • Free Dollar Shave Club products.

  • Monthly stipends for cell phone usage and work-from-home expenses. Working Hours: This is a full-time exempt position. While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the "Half day Fridays" perk suggests a focus on efficient work completion. The hybrid nature requires 4 days in the office, implying a structured weekly schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is robust, particularly the 401(k) match with no vesting period and the generous paid parental/disability leave, which are excellent for employee retention and well-being. The "Half day Fridays" and stipends are attractive perks that indicate a company culture valuing employee well-being and productivity.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) E-commerce, Personal Care & Grooming Products. Dollar Shave Club operates within a dynamic and competitive consumer goods market, known for disrupting traditional retail models.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Greenhouse job boards often host roles for mid-to-large sized companies. Based on typical industry trajectories, DSC likely falls into the 200-1000+ employee range.

Founded: 2011. The company's founding narrative is built on challenging the status quo with a viral marketing approach and a direct-to-consumer model that emphasizes affordability, quality, and a touch of humor.

Team Structure:

• Design Department: This role implies a structured design department, likely comprising various specialists. The Packaging Graphic Design Manager will directly manage a Production Designer, suggesting a team size that allows for specialization and mentorship.

• Reporting Line: The manager likely reports into a Director of Creative, Head of Brand Design, or potentially a VP of Marketing, depending on the organizational hierarchy.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: The role mandates close collaboration with Brand Marketing, Product Development, Merchandising, and external vendors (suppliers, printers). This integration is crucial for aligning packaging with broader GTM strategies.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role emphasizes aligning with "consumer insights" and designing for "retail spaces" and "shoppers," indicating a data-informed approach to design decisions.

• Agile & Iterative: The process from "brainstorming, design, prototype development, and production" suggests an iterative approach, likely within defined project timelines and potentially agile marketing frameworks.

• Brand Storytelling: A core aspect is translating "brand storytelling into impactful" visuals, emphasizing narrative cohesion and emotional connection with the consumer.

Company Website: Dollar Shave Club Website (assuming this is the relevant URL based on the company name).

📝 Enhancement Note: Dollar Shave Club's established brand identity, rooted in disruption and humor, suggests a creative and fast-paced work environment. The "cut the BS" ethos implies a culture that values directness and efficiency, which may also influence operational processes. Understanding this brand personality is key for cultural fit.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-to-Senior Management. This role sits at a crucial intersection of creative execution and operational oversight within the GTM function. It requires not only strong design skills but also the ability to manage a team, influence stakeholders, and ensure the practical, commercial viability of design outputs.

Reporting Structure: The Packaging Graphic Design Manager directly manages a Production Designer and likely reports to a higher-level creative or marketing leadership position. This structure provides exposure to strategic decision-making and cross-functional leadership.

Operations Impact: The role's impact on revenue is significant, as packaging is a primary touchpoint for consumers at the point of sale. Effective packaging design directly influences brand perception, purchase decisions, and ultimately, sales volume and market share. By ensuring high-quality, on-brand, and production-ready designs, the manager contributes to efficient supply chain operations and reduced costly errors.

Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Leadership Advancement: Potential progression to Senior Manager, Director of Packaging Design, or Head of Creative, overseeing larger teams and broader design initiatives.

• Strategic Brand Role: Opportunity to move into broader Brand Management or GTM Strategy roles, leveraging deep understanding of product presentation and consumer engagement.

• Process Improvement Specialization: Development into roles focused on optimizing design operations, workflow automation, and digital asset management for creative teams.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Potential to lead cross-functional project teams, contributing design expertise to product development and marketing strategy at a higher level.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within creative leadership and GTM strategy. For operations professionals, understanding how design management contributes to GTM efficiency, brand consistency, and market penetration can highlight transferable skills in project management, process optimization, and stakeholder alignment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "in-office," requiring presence at the HQ in Durham, North Carolina, 4 days a week. This indicates a hybrid work model that emphasizes in-person collaboration for key design and team activities.

Office Location(s): HQ in Durham, North Carolina.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The 4-day in-office requirement suggests that the HQ is designed to foster collaboration, brainstorming sessions, and in-person team interactions essential for creative development.

• Creative Resources: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite), potentially 3D modeling tools, and a supportive environment for prototyping and review.

• Team Integration: Opportunities for direct interaction with the Production Designer, as well as frequent engagement with cross-functional teams from Brand, Marketing, and Product Development.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time exempt position, typically implying a 40-hour work week. The "Half day Fridays" perk indicates a structured schedule that prioritizes efficient work completion and employee well-being. The hybrid model requires adherence to specific in-office days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model (4 days in-office) is a key aspect of the work environment. For operations professionals, this implies a need for effective time management, clear communication protocols for hybrid teams, and an understanding of how in-person collaboration contributes to project velocity and quality assurance in design processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit resume and portfolio via Greenhouse ATS. Focus on tailoring your resume to highlight relevant CPG packaging design, management experience, and technical skills.

• Recruiter Screen: An initial phone screening with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and interest in the role and company. Be prepared to articulate your career trajectory and motivations.

• Hiring Manager/Team Interviews: Subsequent interviews will likely involve members of the design team, brand marketing, and product development. These will delve into your design process, project management capabilities, and leadership style.

• Portfolio Presentation: A critical stage will involve presenting your portfolio. This is where you'll showcase your best work, explain your design thinking, and demonstrate your ability to meet the role's requirements.

• Final Evaluation: This may involve a final interview with senior leadership, assessing strategic thinking, cultural alignment, and overall fit for the company and team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-7 of your strongest, most relevant projects that demonstrate packaging design expertise, retail activation success, and management/mentorship experience. Prioritize CPG and personal care examples if available.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, the process (including collaboration and problem-solving), and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Highlight Process: Showcase your understanding of the full design lifecycle, from initial brief to production-ready files. Include examples of dielines, material considerations, and print specifications where relevant.

• Demonstrate Leadership: If you have management experience, include examples of how you mentored junior designers, managed workflows, or improved team processes.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. High-quality mockups and renderings are essential.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential design exercise or case study, either take-home or live. This might involve critiquing existing packaging, developing concepts for a new product, or outlining a strategy for a retail display.

• Process Articulation: Practice explaining your design process clearly and concisely. Focus on how you approach problem-solving, manage timelines, and collaborate with stakeholders.

• Brand Alignment: Research Dollar Shave Club's brand voice, aesthetic, and current market positioning thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with theirs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes portfolio presentation and practical application of design skills within a commercial context. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just aesthetic choices but also the strategic reasoning, operational considerations (print production, cost), and leadership aspects of their work. This focus on process and impact is directly relevant to operations roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Illustrator: Essential for vector-based packaging artwork, dielines, and logo development.
  • Photoshop: Critical for image manipulation, creating mockups, and developing visual assets for packaging.
  • InDesign: Used for layout, incorporating text, and creating production-ready documents, especially for complex packaging structures or multi-panel designs.

• 3D/Mockup Tools: Familiarity with software like Adobe Dimension,

Keyshot, or similar 3D rendering tools is expected for creating realistic packaging mockups and prototypes.

Analytics & Reporting (Indirect): While not a direct analytics role, the manager should understand how to interpret data related to:

• Sales Performance: How packaging impacts sales figures.

• Consumer Feedback: How consumers react to packaging designs (e.g., online reviews, social media sentiment).

• Market Trends: Data on competitor packaging and industry innovations.

CRM & Automation (Indirect):

• Project Management Software: Likely used for task tracking and workflow management (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com).

• Digital Asset Management (DAM): Potentially used for organizing and distributing design assets, especially for maintaining brand consistency across a large product portfolio.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication and file sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Familiarity with 3D mockup tools is also a key requirement. For operations professionals, understanding the role of these tools in GTM execution and brand consistency is valuable. The indirect mention of analytics and collaboration tools highlights the need for an integrated approach to design within a broader business context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Directness: Echoing the "cut the BS" ethos, the team likely values straightforward communication and efficient processes, avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Creativity & Innovation: A strong emphasis on pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the brand's playful and accessible voice.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The hybrid model and cross-functional responsibilities highlight the importance of working effectively with others.

• Consumer-Centricity: Design decisions are driven by a deep understanding of the consumer and how to best meet their needs and desires.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A commitment to high standards in both creative execution and production-readiness.

Collaboration Style:

• Hybrid & Engaging: Expect a mix of in-person brainstorming, collaborative design sessions, and digital communication.

• Feedback-Oriented: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to elevate designs and ensure alignment.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Proactive engagement with marketing, product, and other departments to ensure cohesive GTM strategies.

• Mentorship & Support: A supportive environment where team members, particularly the Production Designer, receive guidance and development opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture, as described, emphasizes a blend of creative freedom, efficiency, and strong teamwork. For operations candidates, understanding how these values translate into daily work, decision-making processes, and team interactions is crucial for assessing cultural fit and potential contributions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Needs: Consistently delivering innovative designs that also meet strict production, cost, and timeline constraints.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse SKUs: Ensuring a cohesive brand look and feel across a growing product portfolio, including seasonal and LTO items.

• Adapting to Evolving Retail Landscapes: Staying ahead of trends in e-commerce packaging and in-store merchandising to ensure maximum impact.

• Managing External Vendor Relationships: Effectively communicating design intent and quality expectations to printers and manufacturers to ensure flawless execution.

• Mentoring and Developing Talent: Effectively guiding a Production Designer to foster their growth while ensuring team output meets high standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Packaging Techniques: Exposure to new materials, printing technologies, and sustainable packaging solutions.

• Strategic Brand Development: Deeper involvement in brand strategy discussions and how packaging influences the overall brand narrative.

• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Opportunities to lead projects involving multiple departments, enhancing strategic and leadership skills.

• Industry Trends & Conferences: Potential to attend relevant design and packaging industry events to stay abreast of innovations.

• Mentorship Programs: Formal or informal mentorship from senior leadership within the creative or marketing departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in GTM and operations roles: balancing creative needs with operational realities, managing complex workflows, and stakeholder management. The growth opportunities highlight potential career progression paths that could appeal to operations professionals looking to expand their strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing packaging from initial concept to final production-ready files. What are the key checkpoints and decision points?" (Focus on methodology, collaboration, and quality assurance.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across a wide range of products and packaging types, especially for limited-time offers or seasonal collections?" (Highlight your approach to brand systems and guidelines.)

• "Walk us through a challenging retail display or end-cap design project. What were the objectives, your approach, and the outcome?" (Demonstrate problem-solving, creativity, and understanding of retail impact.)

• "How do you manage relationships with printers and other vendors to ensure quality and cost-efficiency in packaging production?" (Showcase your understanding of operational aspects and vendor management.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you admire about Dollar Shave Club's brand and packaging? How do you see your design philosophy aligning with our 'cut the BS' ethos?" (Research the brand thoroughly and connect your style.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with marketing and product teams, especially when there are differing opinions on design direction?" (Emphasize communication, negotiation, and finding common ground.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your presentation with a clear beginning (the challenge), middle (your process and solutions), and end (the results/impact).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals, mockups, and examples of final output. Explain why you made certain design choices.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, reference metrics like sales lift, improved shelf presence, or positive consumer feedback related to your packaging designs.

• Highlight Process & Problem-Solving: Focus on how you overcame challenges, managed constraints, and collaborated effectively.

• Brand Alignment: Explicitly connect your work to the Dollar Shave Club brand and target audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, strategic thinking, operational awareness (print production, vendor management), and leadership capabilities. Case studies and clear articulation of process are key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Packaging Graphic Design Manager position:

• Submit Application: Navigate to the Dollar Shave Club careers page or the provided Greenhouse link and submit your application.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your most impactful packaging design projects, retail display concepts, and any evidence of team mentorship. Ensure it is well-organized, visually compelling, and tailored to CPG/personal care if possible.

• Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your 6+ years of packaging design experience, CPG background, project management skills, Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, and any management/mentorship experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to brand alignment, and your experience managing projects and people. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail.

• Research Dollar Shave Club: Understand their brand voice, target audience, product lines, and current market presence. Prepare to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with their identity.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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