Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer Company: Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. Location: Deerfield, Illinois, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Marketing Operations / Creative Services Date Posted: July 29, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 years Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in developing and executing impactful visual creative concepts and production design for Fortune Brands Innovations, a leader in home products, security, and commercial building markets.
• The Senior Graphic Designer will be responsible for translating marketing needs into unique, brand-driven designs across various mediums, ensuring consistency and quality throughout the production process.
• This position requires strong leadership potential, as the incumbent will manage and oversee the work of a junior Graphic Designer, fostering a high-performing creative team environment.
• The role demands a blend of artistic talent and technical proficiency, utilizing design software and understanding printing specifications to deliver compelling visual communications that inspire consumers, influencers, and professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Senior Graphic Designer," the inclusion of direct reporting responsibility signals a potential for leadership or team lead capabilities, often found in roles that bridge senior individual contributor and junior management. This is a key differentiator for operations-minded candidates who can manage workflows and mentor junior talent.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-quality visual creative concepts and production designs that align with brand strategy and marketing objectives across diverse projects including POP, signage, packaging, labels, and marketing collateral.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Channel, Sales teams, and external agencies to translate marketing needs into compelling, brand-centric designs that resonate with target audiences (consumers, customers, influencers).
• Manage the end-to-end design workflow, from concept ideation through to final production, ensuring timely delivery of creative materials while balancing multiple projects and tight deadlines.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic design solutions to address business challenges, demonstrating an ability to reach effective design outcomes efficiently, often with multiple stakeholders.
• Oversee and manage the work of a direct report Graphic Designer, providing guidance, feedback, and ensuring consistent quality and adherence to brand standards.
• Consult with internal clients to create cohesive designs that meet specific goals and reflect brand standards across various retail and customer touchpoints.
• Leverage knowledge of printing specifications and materials to ensure successful execution of hard-copy and digital design projects, working effectively with third-party printers and vendors.
• Analyze design trends, proactively create style guides, and drive improvements in the creative design process, acting as an in-house graphic design expert.
• Maintain organization of art files within Fortune Brands' Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, such as Widen, ensuring efficient retrieval and management of creative assets.
• Facilitate design reviews, interpret feedback, manage the feedback loop effectively, and implement solutions that meet varied stakeholder requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize not only creative execution but also project management, cross-functional collaboration, vendor management, and team leadership. Operations professionals will find parallels in managing workflows, ensuring quality control, and driving efficiency in creative output, similar to managing GTM processes or sales enablement material production.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a closely related field is a mandatory requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design experience is required, preferably gained within an agency or a corporate environment.
• Experience in both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) marketing environments is considered a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the work of other designers and provide effective guidance and feedback is essential, indicating a need for leadership or mentorship experience.
• Proven ability to translate abstract concept ideas into tangible, presentable mock-ups and final designs.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design & Production: Expertise in visual creative concept development, production design, and a strong understanding of design principles.
• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Mastery of MAC operating systems and advanced skills in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe In-Design, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat are critical.
• Portfolio & Process: A strong portfolio showcasing design skills, creative process, and production capabilities is essential for demonstrating talent and problem-solving approach.
• Project Management & Workflow: Experience working within project management systems (e.g., Asana, Workfront, Basecamp) and a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system (e.g., Widen) is required for efficient workflow management.
• Collaboration & Communication: Outstanding oral and presentation-based communication skills are necessary for client consultations, facilitating reviews, and presenting design solutions to diverse stakeholders.
• Microsoft Office Suite: Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint is expected for general business operations and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with B2B and B2C marketing strategies and creative execution.
• Familiarity with printing specifications and material selection for various production methods.
• Ability to analyze design trends and contribute to the evolution of brand creative guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software (Adobe Suite, DAM systems) and project management tools, coupled with the requirement for a portfolio demonstrating process, aligns with core operations competencies in managing digital assets and workflows. Candidates with experience in sales enablement or marketing operations will recognize the parallels in managing creative production for go-to-market strategies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Process Documentation: The portfolio must clearly articulate the design process from brief to final output, showcasing problem identification, conceptualization, iteration, and final execution for various projects.
• Brand Consistency & Application: Demonstrate the ability to apply brand guidelines consistently across different mediums and projects, showing an understanding of brand architecture and visual identity systems.
• Production Excellence: Include examples that highlight attention to detail in production, such as print-ready files, proper color management, and understanding of production specifications for various materials.
• Problem-Solving Case Studies: Showcase specific projects where design was used to solve a business problem, demonstrating strategic thinking, audience targeting, and measurable impact where possible.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Management: Evidence of managing design projects from initiation to completion, including timelines, stakeholder approvals, and vendor coordination, within a project management system.
• Digital Asset Management (DAM): Experience in organizing, tagging, and managing creative assets within a DAM system, ensuring discoverability and proper usage.
• Feedback Integration: Examples of how feedback from stakeholders was interpreted and integrated into design iterations, leading to improved outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations professionals, a portfolio is akin to a "process portfolio" showcasing efficiency, project management, and quality control. Candidates should highlight how they manage creative workflows, utilize systems for asset management, and ensure brand consistency, mirroring the structured approach required in operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Hiring Pay Range: $60,000 USD - $99,000 USD per year.
• Note: Actual salaries may vary based on factors such as education, training, experience, professional achievement, business needs, and geographic location.

Benefits:

• Health Plans: Comprehensive health plans are offered to support the overall health and wellness of associates.
• 401(k) Program: A market-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan with a company contribution is provided.
• Product Discounts: Associates can benefit from discounts on Fortune Brands' products.
• Flexible Time Off: Includes flexible time off benefits and half-day summer Fridays, promoting work-life balance.
• Fertility & Adoption Benefits: Inclusive benefits supporting fertility and adoption processes are available.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Numerous ERGs are available to foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging.
• Annual Bonus Plan: Participation in an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance.

Working Hours:

• The role is expected to adhere to standard full-time working hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with hybrid office presence required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within typical mid-to-senior level graphic design roles in a major metropolitan area like Chicago. The comprehensive benefits package, including flexible time off and specific parental/fertility benefits, is attractive for professionals seeking a stable and supportive employer.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Fortune Brands Innovations operates as an industry-leading innovation company focused on smart, safe, and beautiful home products, security, and commercial building markets. Its portfolio includes well-known brands like Moen, Master Lock, and Yale. The company's culture emphasizes high performance, empowerment, and a commitment to transforming spaces into havens. Company Size:
• Fortune Brands is a publicly traded company (NYSE: FBIN), indicating a significant organizational size and structure, likely employing thousands of individuals globally. This scale offers opportunities for structured career paths, access to extensive resources, and exposure to diverse business functions. Founded:
• While the specific founding date of Fortune Brands Innovations isn't detailed here, its existence as a major public entity suggests a long-standing presence and evolution in its respective markets, likely undergoing strategic transformations and growth phases relevant to its current focus on innovation.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The Senior Graphic Designer will be part of the in-house creative team, likely within a Marketing Services or Creative Services department. This team is responsible for developing visual communications that support brand and product initiatives.
• Operations Team Aspect 2: The Senior Graphic Designer will report to a Senior Manager, Marketing Services, and will have one Graphic Designer reporting directly to them, suggesting a small but impactful team structure with clear reporting lines.
• Operations Team Aspect 3: Collaboration is described as highly collaborative and cross-functional, involving partnerships with Product, Channel, Sales teams, and external agencies, indicating a need for strong interpersonal and communication skills to integrate creative efforts with broader business objectives.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1: The role emphasizes translating marketing needs into "brand-driven, consumer/customer-focused designs," implying a data-informed approach where designs are tailored to specific audiences and business goals.
• Operations Process 2: Workflow planning and optimization are key, as the Senior Graphic Designer will "manage the design workflow process to traffic design jobs efficiently," working closely with management.
• Operations Process 3: Automation and efficiency practices are indirectly supported through the use of Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems and the expectation to stay abreast of design trends to improve processes and create style guides.

Company Website:

• www.fbin.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on innovation and specific market segments (home products, security) provides context for the types of creative projects the designer will undertake. The hybrid model and emphasis on diverse culture are key cultural indicators for potential employees.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This role is positioned at a senior individual contributor level, with added responsibilities for direct report management and leadership in design strategy. It signifies a transition point where an individual moves beyond execution to influence and guide creative output and junior talent. Reporting Structure:
• The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Manager, Marketing Services. They also have direct oversight of one Graphic Designer. This structure allows for mentorship and workflow management within a specialized creative function. Operations Impact:
• The Senior Graphic Designer's impact is crucial for brand perception, marketing effectiveness, and consumer engagement. By creating compelling visual assets, they directly influence how products and brands are presented to consumers and professionals, which in turn supports sales initiatives and market penetration. Their work contributes to brand consistency and visual storytelling, essential for a strong go-to-market strategy.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Potential growth into a Creative Manager or Lead Designer role, overseeing larger projects or a broader creative team, with increased strategic input.
• Industry Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific product categories within Fortune Brands (e.g., plumbing, security, building materials) and become a subject matter expert in visual communication for those sectors.
• Leadership Development: The direct reporting responsibility provides an opportunity to develop people management and leadership skills, crucial for advancing into management positions within the operations or marketing functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of senior-level design expertise and direct report responsibility positions this role as a strong stepping stone for career progression within marketing or operations leadership, especially for those looking to manage teams and workflows.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• The role requires a hybrid presence, meaning the work environment will be a mix of remote work and in-office collaboration. The office is located at 520 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois. Office Location(s):
• The primary office location is Deerfield, Illinois. The company also mentions a "Chicago/Deerfield office," suggesting a potentially shared or dual-location setup, with a mandatory 3-day per week in-office presence (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays). Workspace Context:
• Workspace Aspect 1: The office environment is designed for collaboration, requiring designers to work closely with various internal teams and external partners. This fosters a dynamic and interactive creative process.
• Workspace Aspect 2: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and Digital Asset Management systems is provided, ensuring designers have the necessary tools to perform their duties effectively.
• Workspace Aspect 3: Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing, product, and sales teams are abundant, facilitating a deep understanding of business objectives and enabling the designer to contribute strategically to GTM efforts.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is assumed to be full-time, likely aligning with typical business hours (e.g., 9 AM to 5 PM), with the hybrid model allowing for three days in the office and two days remote. The mention of "flexible time off benefits (including half-day summer Fridays per policy)" suggests a company culture that values work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid requirement (3 days in-office) is a key detail for candidates to consider, balancing the flexibility of remote work with the collaborative benefits of an office environment. Operations professionals often thrive in structured yet flexible hybrid settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Process Step 1 (Initial Screening): Likely involves a review of the resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess qualifications and creative fit. Candidates should ensure their portfolio is easily accessible and highlights relevant experience.
• Process Step 2 (Creative/Technical Interview): A more in-depth discussion focusing on design process, software proficiency, and production skills. This may include a review of specific portfolio pieces and questions about how challenges were overcome.
• Process Step 3 (Cross-functional/Manager Interview): Interviews with the hiring manager and potentially key stakeholders from marketing, product, or sales teams. This stage evaluates collaboration skills, strategic thinking, and ability to manage direct reports.
• Process Step 4 (Final Interview/Offer): A final review, potentially with senior leadership, to confirm cultural fit and overall suitability for the role, followed by an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Process Improvement Case Study: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your design process, from understanding the brief to delivering the final product. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your approach, key decisions, and the outcome.
• Metrics & ROI: If possible, include metrics or qualitative feedback that show the impact of your designs. For operations roles, demonstrating how your work contributed to efficiency, engagement, or sales goals is highly valuable.
• Production Expertise: Highlight projects that showcase your technical production skills, attention to detail, and understanding of print or digital specifications.
• Leadership/Management Examples: If you have experience managing junior designers or leading projects, include examples that demonstrate your ability to guide, mentor, and ensure quality output.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Challenge: Be prepared for a potential design challenge, either pre-interview or during the interview process. This might involve creating a concept for a new product launch or redesigning existing marketing material. Focus on a clear, logical process and articulate your rationale.
• Time Management: Practice presenting your portfolio and any potential design work within a set timeframe, demonstrating efficiency and clear communication.
• Stakeholder Management: Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback from multiple stakeholders and resolve conflicting opinions or requirements, showcasing your ability to manage diverse inputs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio showcasing "process" and "problem-solving" aligns perfectly with operations' focus on methodology and efficiency. Candidates should frame their portfolio not just as a showcase of final work, but as evidence of structured problem-solving and workflow management.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency is required in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe In-Design, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat for all design and production tasks.
• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Experience with systems like Widen is specified, highlighting the need for efficient management and retrieval of creative assets.
• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Workfront, or Basecamp is required for managing design workflows and project timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly listed, a Senior Graphic Designer in a marketing-aligned role would benefit from familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand the performance of marketing collateral and digital assets, and reporting tools that facilitate communication of these insights.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how creative assets are deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) would be a plus for cross-functional collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of DAM systems (Widen) and project management tools (Asana, Workfront) is critical for operations professionals, as these are common tools in managing GTM assets and workflows. Demonstrating proficiency here is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: A core company value, expected to be reflected in creative problem-solving and design approaches.
• High-Performance: The organization fosters a high-performing team environment where individuals are empowered to think big, learn fast, and make bold decisions.
• Inclusivity & Diversity: Encouragement of authentic selves and valuing unique perspectives is a key strength, suggesting an inclusive and supportive team culture.
• Efficiency & Collaboration: The need to manage workflows efficiently and collaborate effectively with diverse teams highlights the importance of streamlined processes and strong interpersonal skills.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with Product, Channel, and Sales teams, necessitating strong communication and the ability to integrate creative efforts with broader business objectives.
• Feedback-Driven Improvement: The expectation to "interpret feedback and solve to that appropriately" and "proactively manage the feedback loop" indicates a culture that values constructive criticism and iterative refinement of creative work.
• Knowledge Sharing: The expectation to "stay abreast of and analyze trends in design; share across the creative services team" promotes a culture of continuous learning and shared expertise within the creative function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "high-performing team" and "empowered to think big, learn fast" suggests a dynamic and results-oriented culture, common in successful operations and marketing teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Multiple Priorities: Managing numerous projects with tight deadlines across different brands and initiatives requires strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Translating diverse marketing needs and feedback from various internal stakeholders into cohesive, impactful designs can be challenging, requiring excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Brand Evolution: Staying current with design trends while maintaining strong brand consistency across a broad portfolio of products requires continuous learning and strategic application of design principles.
• Managing Direct Reports: Effectively guiding, mentoring, and providing constructive feedback to a junior designer while maintaining personal productivity represents a developmental challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to develop leadership and people management skills through direct reporting.
• Industry Exposure: Gain deeper insight into product development, channel marketing, and sales strategies within the home products, security, and building markets.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to the evolution and improvement of the company's creative design process and style guides.
• Formal Training: Potential for accessing industry conferences, workshops, or online courses to enhance design skills, project management capabilities, or leadership competencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in dynamic marketing and operations environments. The growth opportunities focus on developing both creative and managerial skills, offering a clear path for career progression.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "Describe a time you translated complex marketing requirements into a successful visual design. What was your process, and how did you ensure it met the business objectives?" (Focus on process, strategic alignment, and outcome.)
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you manage feedback from multiple stakeholders with potentially conflicting opinions? Provide an example of a challenging feedback situation and how you resolved it." (Highlight communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.)
• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Walk me through a project where you had to deliver high-quality design under tight deadlines. What strategies did you employ to ensure efficiency and on-time delivery?" (Emphasize workflow management and prioritization skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Operations: "What do you know about Fortune Brands Innovations' brands and the markets they serve? How would your design expertise contribute to their success?" (Research the company's portfolio and market position.)
• Team Dynamics: "How do you approach mentoring or managing junior team members? Describe your ideal collaborative working relationship with marketing, product, and sales teams." (Showcase understanding of team collaboration and leadership.)
• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design work? Can you provide an example of how your design had a measurable impact on a campaign or product launch?" (Focus on results-driven thinking and data-informed design.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Process-Oriented Storytelling: For each portfolio piece, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges, your design process (sketches, iterations, tools used), the final solution, and the outcome (if measurable). Frame it as a case study of problem-solving.
• Metrics & ROI Focus: If possible, present data or qualitative feedback that demonstrates the effectiveness of your designs. For operations roles, this is crucial for showing impact.
• Interactive Demonstration: Be prepared to discuss specific design choices, software techniques, and production considerations in detail. If presenting digital work, ensure it's easily navigable.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation tips are tailored to highlight operations-relevant skills such as process, efficiency, stakeholder management, and measurable impact, which are critical for success in roles that bridge creative execution and business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided job portal link.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that demonstrate strong design process, production skills, brand consistency, and any examples of managing creative workflows or mentoring junior designers. Ensure it's easily accessible and clearly showcases your best work relevant to consumer and B2B/B2C contexts.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize achievements and responsibilities using keywords like "graphic design," "production design," "Adobe Creative Suite," "project management," "workflow management," "stakeholder collaboration," "brand consistency," and "team leadership" (if applicable). Quantify achievements where possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approaches, and collaboration strategies. Prepare specific examples for common interview questions related to managing projects, handling feedback, and leading or mentoring others. Be ready to discuss your understanding of Fortune Brands' brands.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Fortune Brands Innovations' portfolio of brands (Moen, Master Lock, Yale, etc.) and their respective markets. Understand their brand messaging and visual identities to better align your application and interview responses with the company's strategic direction.

⚠️ 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.