Senior Design Manager (Gatorade)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager (Gatorade)

Company: PepsiCo

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Design Management / GTM Operations

Date Posted: March 30, 2026

Experience Level: 9-12+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in driving design excellence for Gatorade's functional hydration beverages within North America, focusing on 360-degree creative execution across all consumer touchpoints.

• It requires a strong blend of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) expertise, mastery of print production processes, and visionary leadership to craft compelling brand narratives.

• The Senior Design Manager will bridge creative execution with broader business objectives, leading projects from ideation through to completion in close collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• This position demands a top-tier design talent capable of delivering best-in-class work while simultaneously managing and mentoring a team of designers.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is primarily "Design Management," its focus on executing GTM strategies through creative assets, packaging, and campaigns positions it within the broader GTM Operations ecosystem. Success in this role requires operational rigor in project management, production, and cross-functional alignment, aligning it with operations principles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of innovative, high-impact creative solutions across all consumer touchpoints for the Gatorade brand portfolio in North America.

• Drive brand strategy development and execution through compelling visual narratives that resonate with target audiences.

• Oversee the design and implementation of complex packaging systems, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines, market trends, and production requirements.

• Develop and execute creative concepts for digital campaigns, immersive activations, and other marketing initiatives to enhance brand presence and consumer engagement.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners, including marketing, product development, and sales teams, to ensure seamless project delivery from concept to completion.

• Provide creative direction and mentorship to a team of designers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Manage print production processes, including separations, substrate selection, and specialty printing techniques, ensuring quality and efficiency.

• Present creative concepts and strategies effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, articulating the strategic rationale and potential impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities outline a deep involvement in Go-To-Market (GTM) execution. The emphasis on "360-degree creative," "complex packaging systems," "digital campaigns," and "immersive activations" directly supports GTM strategies by ensuring consistent and impactful brand representation across all channels. The need to "bridge the gap between creative execution and broader business goals" highlights an operational understanding of how design contributes to revenue and market penetration.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Industrial Design, or a related field. A Master's degree or equivalent advanced study is a plus.

Experience: 9–12+ years of progressive experience in design, with a significant focus on brand design, packaging, and CPG marketing. Proven experience leading creative teams and managing projects from concept through execution is essential.

Required Skills:

• Design Leadership: Proven track record of managing designers as direct reports, including performance management, creative direction, coaching, and career development.

• 360-Degree Brand Design: Deep expertise in developing integrated design strategies that span across packaging, digital media, retail environments, and experiential activations.

• CPG Expertise: Strong understanding of the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, including market dynamics, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes.

• Print Production Mastery: Comprehensive knowledge of CPG print production processes, including color separations, substrate selection, and specialty printing techniques (e.g., foil stamping, embossing, UV coatings).

• Packaging Systems Design: Proficiency in designing and managing complex packaging systems that adhere to brand guidelines, regulatory requirements, and production constraints.

• Agency-Level Presentation Skills: Exceptional ability to articulate creative concepts, strategic thinking, and project rationale to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate business objectives into impactful design solutions that drive brand growth and consumer engagement.

• Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with digital design tools and platforms relevant to campaign execution.

• Familiarity with sustainability initiatives and eco-friendly packaging design.

• Experience in a fast-paced, global CPG environment.

• Strong understanding of consumer insights and market research to inform design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level and leadership responsibilities suggest a role that not only executes but also strategically influences the brand's visual identity and market presence. The emphasis on CPG print production and packaging systems indicates a need for operational understanding of manufacturing and supply chain constraints, crucial for GTM efficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a minimum of 9-12 years of design experience, with a strong emphasis on CPG brand design and packaging systems.

• Demonstrations of end-to-end project management, from initial concept ideation through to final execution and launch.

• Case studies highlighting successful 360-degree creative campaigns across multiple touchpoints (packaging, digital, experiential).

• Examples of leadership and team management, illustrating how you've guided designers and fostered creative excellence within a team.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase a clear understanding of the design process, including stages like research, ideation, concept development, refinement, production, and post-launch analysis.

• Examples of workflow management and project planning, demonstrating how you ensure timely and high-quality delivery of design assets.

• Documentation of collaboration processes with cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, product development) and external agencies/partners.

• Evidence of how you manage and optimize print production processes, including considerations for substrates, color accuracy, and specialty finishes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Design Manager role, the portfolio is critical for demonstrating not just creative talent but also operational capability. It should emphasize process, project management, and the ability to translate strategic goals into tangible, executable design solutions that support GTM efforts. The ability to articulate the "why" behind design choices and their impact on business outcomes is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $123,500 - $206,750 USD per year.

Bonus: Eligibility for a performance-based bonus with a target payout of 15% of annual salary, paid out annually.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance. Access to health and dependent care reimbursement accounts. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental and emotional support.

• Time Off: Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave. Eligibility for paid parental leave.

• Retirement: Defined contribution retirement plan.

• Insurance: Accident insurance, group legal insurance, and life insurance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines and business needs, particularly during critical GTM phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is based on the typical compensation for a Senior Design Manager role in a major metropolitan area like Chicago within a large CPG company. This estimate considers the specified experience level (9-12+ years), leadership responsibilities, and the inclusion of a performance bonus. The benefits package is detailed as provided in the job description, reflecting typical offerings for large corporations.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (specifically Functional Hydration Beverages). PepsiCo is a global leader in the consumer packaged goods industry, with a strong presence in beverages and convenient foods. Gatorade is a flagship brand within this portfolio, known for its innovation in sports fuel.

Company Size: PepsiCo is a large, multinational corporation, employing tens of thousands of individuals globally. This scale offers significant resources, extensive career pathways, and a structured corporate environment.

Founded: PepsiCo was founded in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay. Gatorade became part of the PepsiCo family in 2001. This long history indicates a stable, established company with deep market experience.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Design Manager will report to the Design Director, Gatorade.

• This role involves direct management of a team of designers, requiring leadership and mentorship.

Methodology:

• Design decisions are expected to be data-informed, leveraging consumer insights and market research to drive strategic creative solutions.

• Project management methodologies will be employed to ensure efficient workflow, timely execution, and adherence to brand standards across all initiatives.

• A collaborative approach is fundamental, fostering synergy between creative teams and business stakeholders to achieve shared GTM objectives.

Company Website: https://www.pepsicojobs.com, https://gatorade.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's culture is often characterized by a blend of entrepreneurial spirit within its brands and the structure of a large corporation. For a design role, this implies a need for creativity and innovation (Gatorade's brand ethos) balanced with operational discipline, process adherence, and cross-functional collaboration inherent in a company of PepsiCo's size.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned at a senior management level within the creative and design function, directly impacting Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies. It represents a significant step beyond individual contributor or junior design roles, requiring leadership, strategic input, and the ability to manage complex projects and teams.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Manager reports to the Design Director, Gatorade. This indicates a clear hierarchy within the design department, with opportunities to influence broader design strategy under the Director's guidance.

Operations Impact: The role's direct contribution to the visual identity, packaging, and campaign execution for Gatorade means it has a substantial impact on consumer perception, brand equity, and ultimately, sales performance. Effective design management is crucial for successful product launches and ongoing market engagement, directly supporting operational GTM goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to Design Director or similar leadership roles within PepsiCo's design or marketing functions, managing larger teams and broader brand portfolios.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to play a more significant role in shaping the overall brand strategy and visual identity of Gatorade and potentially other PepsiCo brands.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Development of broader business acumen through extensive collaboration with marketing, sales, and product development teams.

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as sustainable packaging design, digital brand experiences, or experiential design.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a critical juncture for design professionals looking to move into management and strategic leadership within a major CPG company. The combination of hands-on creative talent and team/project oversight provides a solid foundation for future growth into executive-level marketing or design leadership roles, with a strong operational component in managing GTM execution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role. The Chicago office at 433 West Van Buren Street is a significant PepsiCo hub, likely offering a modern, corporate office environment designed for collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, United States. This location offers access to a major metropolitan talent pool and is a strategic center for PepsiCo's operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office is expected to foster collaboration, with shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas designed for team interaction and brainstorming.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, hardware, and internal PepsiCo systems for project management and communication.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with design team members, the Design Director, and colleagues from various cross-functional departments.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, typically around 40 hours per week. Given the nature of GTM launches and brand campaigns, there may be periods requiring extended hours to meet critical deadlines. The on-site requirement emphasizes the value PepsiCo places on in-person collaboration and team synergy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major corporate office like PepsiCo Chicago suggests an environment that prioritizes face-to-face collaboration, rapid iteration, and a structured approach to project management, which are all key components of efficient GTM operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Design Director to delve deeper into design philosophy, leadership style, and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A crucial stage where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing key projects, design process, and leadership capabilities. This often includes a specific case study presentation.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from marketing, product development, or sales to assess collaboration skills and understanding of business objectives.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level executive to confirm strategic alignment and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your CPG experience, brand strategy, packaging systems expertise, and 360-degree campaign execution.

• Highlight Leadership: Include examples of how you've managed designers, mentored teams, and influenced creative direction.

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your design process, from research and ideation to execution and production, emphasizing problem-solving and strategic rationale.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or qualitative evidence to show the business impact of your design work (e.g., increased sales, improved brand perception, successful product launches).

• Prepare a Case Study: Be ready to present one or two key projects in detail, covering the brief, your role, the creative solution, the process, and the outcome.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design exercise or a more in-depth presentation of a hypothetical scenario related to Gatorade's brand challenges.

• Strategic Thinking: Practice articulating how design can support specific GTM objectives, such as launching a new product, entering a new market segment, or refreshing brand messaging.

• Production Knowledge: Be ready to discuss print production nuances, substrate options, and how design choices integrate with manufacturing realities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is the cornerstone of this application process. Candidates should treat it as a strategic presentation of their capabilities, not just a showcase of creative work. It needs to demonstrate operational understanding of project lifecycle, team management, and GTM alignment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Software:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign are essential for graphic design, illustration, and layout.

• Potential use of 3D rendering software (e.g., Cinema 4D, Keyshot) for packaging visualization.

Project Management & Collaboration Tools:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for documentation, reporting, and presentations.

• Project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or internal PepsiCo systems like JIRA/Confluence) for workflow tracking and team coordination.

Data & Analytics (for informing design):

• Familiarity with tools used to access consumer insights, market research reports, and brand performance data. While not a direct user, understanding how to leverage this data for design strategy is key.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a baseline requirement. The emphasis on project management and collaboration tools highlights the operational aspect of managing design workflows and cross-functional projects effectively. The ability to leverage data for design decisions is increasingly critical for GTM success.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful, and innovative design solutions that elevate the Gatorade brand.

• Strategic Partnership: Working collaboratively with marketing, sales, and product development to ensure design aligns with and drives business objectives.

• Consumer Focus: Designing with a deep understanding of the target audience's needs, preferences, and behaviors.

• Efficiency & Execution: Balancing creative ambition with the operational realities of production, timelines, and budget constraints to ensure successful GTM execution.

• Professionalism & Empathy: Maintaining a professional demeanor while demonstrating empathy and respect in all interactions, fostering positive relationships within diverse teams.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with diverse teams to gather input, build consensus, and ensure integrated GTM strategies.

• Open Communication: Fostering an environment where ideas can be shared freely, feedback is constructive, and challenges are addressed proactively.

• Results-Oriented: Focusing efforts on delivering measurable business outcomes through impactful design and effective campaign execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" highlight how design within PepsiCo is not purely artistic but is deeply integrated with business strategy and execution. The emphasis on efficiency, execution, and strategic partnership underscores the operational nature of the role within the GTM framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Needs: Navigating the inherent tension between pushing creative boundaries and meeting strict brand guidelines, production constraints, and GTM timelines.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Aligning the creative output with the varied priorities and perspectives of marketing, sales, product development, and senior leadership.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across 360° Touchpoints: Ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand experience across a wide range of platforms and executions, from packaging to digital to activations.

• Adapting to Evolving Market Trends: Staying ahead of design trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape shifts within the dynamic functional beverage market.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership Training: Formal programs focused on leadership, team management, and strategic planning within creative functions.

• CPG Industry Insights: Deeper immersion into the business operations, marketing strategies, and consumer dynamics of the food and beverage sector.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Opportunities to learn more about marketing strategy, product development lifecycles, and sales enablement through active collaboration.

• Exposure to Global Brands: Potential to gain insights into international market design trends and strategies within the broader PepsiCo organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented often require strong operational management skills—project planning, risk mitigation, and resource allocation—in addition to creative expertise. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing a well-rounded leader capable of strategic decision-making within a complex corporate structure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a strong creative vision with significant production constraints. How did you navigate this, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, negotiation, and operational understanding.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across multiple touchpoints in a 360-degree campaign? Provide an example of how you've managed this operationally." (Highlight process, workflow management, and cross-functional alignment.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about the Gatorade brand and its position in the functional hydration market? How would your design philosophy contribute to its future growth?" (Showcase brand understanding and strategic alignment.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and high-performing environment within a design team? Describe your leadership style and how you manage performance." (Assess leadership and team management capabilities.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: Organize your portfolio by project type or by demonstrating specific skills (e.g., Brand Strategy, Packaging, Digital Campaigns, Leadership).

• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief/challenge, your role, the strategic thinking behind your solutions, the execution process, and the measurable results or impact.

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize how you managed timelines, collaborated with stakeholders, overcame production challenges, and ensured successful GTM integration.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Focus on your strongest work and be prepared to answer detailed questions about your process and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative talent but also operational acumen. Candidates need to articulate how they manage processes, lead teams, collaborate effectively, and deliver results that align with business and GTM objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the PepsiCo Jobs portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight CPG experience, 360-degree campaign execution, packaging systems design, and leadership. Ensure it clearly demonstrates your ability to manage projects from concept to completion, aligning with GTM strategies.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize quantifiable achievements, leadership experience, and proficiency in design and production processes relevant to CPG and GTM execution. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, leadership style, and strategic thinking, particularly how your work supports business objectives. Prepare detailed examples for behavioral questions and be ready to present your portfolio effectively, focusing on operational execution and impact.

• Company Research: Deeply understand PepsiCo's mission, values, and the Gatorade brand's market position. Research current marketing campaigns and GTM initiatives to demonstrate informed interest and strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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.