Structural Design Manager / Creative Director – Temporary POS Retail Displays and packaging

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Structural Design Manager / Creative Director – Temporary POS Retail Displays and Packaging Company: Direct Edge Media, Inc. Location: Anaheim, California, United States Job Type: Full-Time, Temporary Category: Creative & Media | Management & Leadership | Retail | Engineering | Art & Design Date Posted: October 29, 2025 Experience Level: 5-10 Years Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the structural design department, focusing on the development of innovative, production-ready Point-of-Sale (POS) retail displays and packaging.
• Provides creative direction and technical mentorship to a team of structural designers, ensuring alignment with client briefs and manufacturing constraints.
• Drives process development and efficiency improvements within the design workflow, from concept ideation to production readiness.
• Bridges the gap between creative vision and structural feasibility, ensuring value-engineered solutions that optimize cost, assembly, and transport.
• Collaborates cross-functionally to ensure seamless project execution and client satisfaction in the dynamic retail display and packaging sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a hybrid of creative leadership and operational management within the specialized field of structural design for retail environments. The emphasis on "Temporary POS Retail Displays and packaging" indicates a need for agility and rapid concept-to-production cycles, common in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and retail campaigns. The "Creative Director" aspect suggests a strong focus on aesthetic appeal and brand representation within structural solutions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide daily guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to structural designers, fostering skill development and enhancing overall design quality and efficiency.
• Establish and refine clear workflows, checkpoints, and communication protocols between the structural design team, account management, creative, prepress, and production departments.
• Oversee the conceptualization and creative design of corrugated, semi-permanent, and temporary displays across diverse retail and beverage categories.
• Translate client-provided renders, creative visuals, and briefs into structurally sound, cost-effective, and manufacturable display solutions.
• Lead design review sessions, challenging the team to innovate while rigorously maintaining structural integrity, manufacturability, and adherence to client specifications.
• Conduct audits of existing design workflows to identify and implement opportunities for streamlining, template creation, shared asset libraries, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Develop and enforce best practices for dieline creation, layout optimization, efficient material usage, and sample production to enhance speed and reduce waste.
• Implement and manage tools or systems (e.g., Airtable, project trackers, standardized file naming conventions) to improve workflow visibility, consistency, and team accountability.
• Collaborate closely with account managers, creative teams, and production specialists to ensure structural designs are perfectly aligned with manufacturing capabilities, client standards, and project timelines.
• Support the quoting process by providing accurate structural insights and value engineering recommendations to ensure competitive pricing and project profitability.
• Develop and integrate "ID tags" on all designs and white samples to expedite the design-to-market process and improve tracking.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic initiatives aimed at elevating the department's creative output, operational efficiency, and overall standing within the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on people management (mentorship, team development) and process optimization (workflow, SOPs, tool implementation). The emphasis on translating client renders into structural designs and value engineering underscores the need for a strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and cost drivers in the POS display and packaging industry.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design, Packaging Engineering, Graphic Design, or a related field is typically expected for leadership roles in this domain. Equivalent practical experience will also be strongly considered.

Experience:

• 7+ years of progressive experience in structural or 3D display design, with a significant portion focused on retail POS displays and packaging.
• Minimum of 3 years in a formal leadership, management, or mentorship capacity, demonstrating the ability to guide and develop a design team.
• Proven track record of successfully bringing complex structural designs from concept through to production-ready files.

Required Skills:

• Structural Design Expertise: In-depth knowledge of designing for corrugated, folding cartons, foam core, and mixed-material displays.
• 3D Visualization Software Proficiency: Expert-level skills in ArtiosCAD are essential. High proficiency in Illustrator for graphic integration and 3D visualization tools such as KeyShot, SketchUp, or Rhino is required.
• Creative Direction: Ability to guide aesthetic and functional design concepts, translating abstract ideas into tangible, compelling structural solutions.
• Process Development & Optimization: Demonstrated ability to analyze, streamline, and implement efficient design workflows, SOPs, and asset management strategies.
• Value Engineering: Strong understanding of how to balance creative requirements with cost-efficiency, assembly ease, and transport logistics.
• Client Brief Interpretation: Skill in accurately interpreting client renders, creative visuals, and project briefs to develop executable structural designs.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Proven ability to inspire, guide, and develop a team of technical designers, providing constructive feedback and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Manufacturing Process Knowledge: Solid understanding of large-format printing, offset printing, CAD cutting, and traditional die-cutting processes relevant to display and packaging production.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with project management software (e.g., Airtable, Asana, Monday.com) for workflow tracking and team coordination.
• Familiarity with material science and sustainable packaging solutions.
• Experience in the beverage or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) retail sectors.
• Knowledge of structural testing methodologies and standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 7+ years of experience with at least 3 in leadership strongly suggests this is a mid-to-senior level management role. The explicit mention of ArtiosCAD, Illustrator, and 3D visualization software indicates a hands-on expectation for the manager, not just oversight. The emphasis on translating client renders highlights a critical skill for this specific niche.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Structural Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating the full lifecycle of POS display or packaging development, from initial concept to final production-ready files. Each case study should clearly articulate the client's challenge, your team's approach, and the final solution.
• Process Improvement Examples: Include examples of workflows you have designed, optimized, or implemented. This could be in the form of process diagrams, SOP documentation excerpts, or descriptions of systems (e.g., shared libraries, project trackers) you have introduced to enhance efficiency.
• Technical Proficiency Showcase: Visual evidence of your expertise in ArtiosCAD, Illustrator, and 3D visualization software. This could include complex dielines, detailed 3D renderings, and examples of creative problem-solving in design.
• Value Engineering & Cost Optimization: Demonstrate instances where you successfully balanced creative vision with cost-efficiency, material optimization, and assembly ease. Quantify savings or efficiency gains where possible.
• Leadership & Team Impact: If possible, include examples of how you've mentored designers, improved team output, or fostered a more collaborative design environment.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of your ability to map out existing design processes, identify bottlenecks, and propose/implement streamlined workflows that improve speed and accuracy.
• Implementation of Systems: Documentation or descriptions of how you have introduced and managed new tools, templates, or asset management systems to standardize design output and enhance team collaboration.
• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Examples of how you track and report on design team performance, such as turnaround times, rework rates, or successful project handoffs, linking these metrics to process improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role combining creative direction and management, the portfolio should balance visual creative output with demonstrable process management and leadership capabilities. The emphasis on "value engineered" and "cost-effective" solutions means the portfolio must show not just good design, but smart design that meets business objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $100,000 per year Explanation of Range: This salary range is competitive for a Structural Design Manager / Creative Director role in the Anaheim, California area, considering the required experience level (7+ years, with 3+ in leadership) and specialized skill set in POS retail displays and packaging. The range reflects the combination of creative leadership, technical expertise, and operational management responsibilities. Anaheim, CA, has a high cost of living, which is factored into this estimate.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Covering medical, dental, and vision needs, likely with various plan options.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation days, sick leave, and potentially personal days, accrued based on tenure.
• Paid Holidays: Standard national holidays observed.
• Retirement Savings Plan: Such as a 401(k) plan, potentially with a company match to help employees save for the future.
• Professional Development Opportunities: Support for training, workshops, or certifications relevant to structural design, creative direction, or leadership.
• Potential for Performance Bonuses: Based on individual and company performance metrics, especially related to project success and efficiency gains.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek is 40 hours.
• The role requires on-site presence in Anaheim, CA.
• Flexibility may be available depending on project demands, but core hours will likely be expected to facilitate team collaboration and client interaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided. Benefits are inferred based on standard offerings for full-time roles in the US, especially in California. The temporary nature of the role might influence the comprehensiveness of benefits compared to a permanent position, but standard health and PTO are typically included.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Primarily focused on the advertising, marketing, and media production sector, with a specialization in Point-of-Sale (POS) retail displays and packaging solutions. This industry requires a blend of creative innovation, technical execution, and client-centric service. Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the existence of a "structural design department" and a "creative director" role suggests a medium-sized to large organization with dedicated teams for specialized functions. Founded: Founded in [Year - Not provided]. A company with a history implies established processes and market presence.

Team Structure:

• Structural Design Department: A core team responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and producing production-ready files for retail displays and packaging.
• Reporting Structure: The Structural Design Manager / Creative Director will likely report to a senior executive in operations, creative, or a general manager, and will directly manage a team of structural designers.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role demands extensive collaboration with Account Management (client interface), Creative Teams (graphic design, 3D rendering), Prepress (file preparation), and Production (manufacturing liaison).

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the process emphasizes data such as client briefs, market trends, manufacturing constraints, and cost targets to inform design decisions.
• Workflow Optimization: A focus on identifying and implementing efficient processes to ensure rapid turnaround times and high-quality output, crucial for the fast-paced retail display industry.
• Agile Project Management: Implied by the need for speed and adaptability in developing temporary POS displays, suggesting a need for flexible project planning and execution.

Company Website: [Direct Edge Media, Inc. - URL not provided, but likely signlanguagexl.com based on domain_derived]

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the job title and responsibilities, the company likely serves clients in the retail sector, providing physical marketing materials. The "Temporary POS Retail Displays" aspect suggests a focus on short-term promotional campaigns rather than permanent fixtures.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-to-senior management position. The role requires significant technical expertise (7+ years) combined with proven leadership capabilities (3+ years). It sits at the intersection of creative strategy and operational execution within a specialized design discipline. Reporting Structure: The Structural Design Manager / Creative Director will report to a higher-level executive (e.g., VP of Operations, Director of Creative Services, or General Manager). They will directly manage and mentor a team of structural designers, acting as the primary technical and creative lead for the department. Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on revenue and business success by:

• Ensuring the creation of effective, sales-driving POS displays and packaging that enhance product visibility and appeal in retail environments.
• Optimizing design processes to reduce costs, minimize rework, and accelerate time-to-market, directly impacting project profitability and client satisfaction.
• Driving innovation in structural design, which can lead to new client wins and increased project scope.
• Fostering a high-performing design team that consistently delivers quality output.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into higher executive roles, such as Director of Creative Services, VP of Operations, or a General Manager position, overseeing larger departments or business units.
• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a subject matter expert in specific areas like sustainable packaging, complex structural engineering, or advanced 3D visualization techniques.
• Strategic Contribution: Influence company-wide strategies related to design processes, client acquisition, and technological adoption within the creative and production departments.
• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to transition into broader roles in project management, account management, or operations strategy, leveraging a deep understanding of the design and production lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for individuals who excel at blending creative vision with operational efficiency. Growth is tied to improving departmental performance and expanding strategic influence within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site," indicating a traditional office environment. This suggests a collaborative workspace where team members can interact face-to-face, crucial for brainstorming and design reviews. Office Location(s): Anaheim, California. This location is part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, a hub for creative industries, manufacturing, and retail. The specific address is 2900 E. White Star Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The on-site requirement and the nature of the role suggest an environment that encourages teamwork, open communication, and spontaneous idea sharing.
• Operations Tools & Technology: The workspace will be equipped with necessary design software (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, 3D visualization tools) and hardware (high-performance computers, potentially large-format plotters or sample-making equipment).
• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for interaction with direct reports, peers in other departments (account management, creative, production), and potentially clients during design presentations.

Work Schedule:

• This is a full-time, temporary position, likely with a standard 40-hour workweek.
• Given the demands of retail display development, there may be periods requiring extended hours or weekend work to meet critical deadlines, especially during peak retail seasons or for urgent client requests.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is a key factor for candidates. The environment is expected to be dynamic and fast-paced, typical of agencies or companies serving the retail sector.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's technical and leadership requirements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the direct hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, leadership style, and approach to structural design challenges. Expect questions about team management, process improvement, and creative direction.
• Technical/Creative Assessment: This may involve a hands-on design exercise or a detailed review of your portfolio, focusing on your ArtiosCAD skills, 3D visualization capabilities, and problem-solving approach to translating client briefs into structural solutions.
• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: You may meet with representatives from account management, creative, and production teams to assess your collaboration skills, understanding of cross-functional dependencies, and ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic fit, long-term vision for the department, and overall cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or by showcasing your most relevant work first. Clearly label each project with the client, your role, the challenge, your solution, and the outcome.
• Highlight Process & Problem-Solving: For each project, articulate the specific structural challenges you faced and how you used your technical skills and creative thinking to overcome them. Emphasize your process for value engineering and cost optimization.
• Showcase Leadership: If possible, include examples that demonstrate your ability to mentor designers, streamline workflows, or lead a team to successful project completion.
• Demonstrate Technical Mastery: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in ArtiosCAD, Illustrator, and 3D visualization software. For complex projects, be ready to walk interviewers through your design process and technical decisions.
• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio prominently features work related to POS retail displays and packaging, showcasing your understanding of materials, retail environments, and brand representation.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a practical design challenge. This might involve taking a client render and developing a preliminary structural concept, or optimizing an existing design for cost or efficiency. Focus on demonstrating your ArtiosCAD skills, understanding of materials, and ability to think critically about manufacturability.
• Process Improvement Scenario: You might be asked to outline how you would improve a specific aspect of the design workflow, such as template creation, file handoff, or team communication.
• Presentation Skills: Practice presenting your portfolio and any case studies clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain your thought process, justify your decisions, and answer detailed questions about your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on portfolio review and potential design challenges indicates that practical skills and demonstrated problem-solving abilities are highly valued for this role. Candidates should be ready to "show, not just tell."

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• ArtiosCAD: This is the core structural design software and a mandatory requirement. Expect in-depth questions and potential practical tests related to its use for dieline creation, 3D modeling, and report generation.
• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for graphic integration, editing artwork, and preparing files for print. Proficiency in creating and manipulating vector graphics is key.
• 3D Visualization Software:
  • KeyShot: Widely used for creating photorealistic renderings of packaging and displays, crucial for client presentations.
  • SketchUp: Useful for conceptual modeling and quick 3D ideation.
  • Rhino: A powerful NURBS modeler, often used for more complex or organic 3D forms.
  • Proficiency in at least one of these is expected, with KeyShot being particularly relevant for rendering final designs.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned as primary tools, a manager in this role would likely utilize:
  • Project Management Software: Tools like Airtable (mentioned in responsibilities), Asana, Monday.com, or similar for tracking project progress, team assignments, and deadlines.
  • Spreadsheet Software (Excel/Google Sheets): For basic data analysis, cost tracking, and reporting on team metrics (e.g., turnaround times, project volume).

CRM & Automation:

• Internal Systems: The company likely uses internal systems for client management and project tracking. The manager's role would be to ensure design data flows correctly into these systems and that design processes integrate smoothly with broader client management workflows.
• Automation Tools: While direct automation might be less common in the core design function, understanding how to leverage templates, shared libraries, and efficient file management contributes to workflow automation and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of ArtiosCAD, Illustrator, and 3D visualization software highlights the essential technical toolkit. The inclusion of Airtable in the responsibilities suggests it's a favored tool for workflow management or data organization within the department.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Precision & Accuracy: A fundamental value, as structural design errors can lead to costly production mistakes, delays, and client dissatisfaction.
• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging novel solutions that not only function perfectly but also capture attention and drive sales in competitive retail environments.
• Efficiency & Speed: A commitment to optimizing workflows and processes to deliver high-quality designs within tight deadlines, a hallmark of the POS display industry.
• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering a team environment where open communication, constructive feedback, and cross-functional teamwork are paramount.
• Client Focus: Prioritizing client needs, understanding their brand objectives, and delivering solutions that meet and exceed expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teamwork: The role necessitates close collaboration with account managers to understand client needs, creative teams for visual harmony, and production teams for manufacturability.
• Process-Oriented Feedback: Encouraging a culture where feedback on processes and designs is shared constructively, focusing on continuous improvement for both individuals and the team.
• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting the sharing of best practices, technical tips, and insights among structural designers to elevate the collective skill set of the department.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a balance between creative excellence and operational discipline, critical for success in a results-driven industry like retail display design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Demands: Juggling the creative vision of clients with strict budget constraints, tight production schedules, and manufacturing limitations.
• Managing Diverse Talent: Leading a team of designers with varying skill levels, creative styles, and motivations, ensuring consistent quality and output.
• Adapting to Evolving Retail Trends: Staying abreast of new retail strategies, display technologies, and consumer behaviors that influence design requirements.
• Translating 2D to 3D: Effectively interpreting flat creative briefs or renders into robust, functional three-dimensional structures that are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.
• Driving Process Adoption: Implementing new workflows or tools and ensuring the team consistently adheres to them, overcoming potential resistance to change.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Structural Design Techniques: Opportunities to explore new materials, manufacturing processes, and complex structural engineering principles.
• Leadership & Management Training: Developing skills in team motivation, performance management, strategic planning, and conflict resolution.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attending events focused on packaging design, retail marketing, and structural engineering to stay current with trends and network with peers.
• Mentorship Programs: Both receiving mentorship from senior leadership and providing mentorship to junior designers, fostering continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to managing a creative and technical team in a fast-paced, client-focused industry. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening technical expertise and expanding leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operational Strategy: "Describe a time you implemented a new workflow or process within a design team. What was the impact on efficiency and output?" or "How would you approach optimizing the dieline creation process to reduce errors and speed up turnaround?"
  • Preparation: Focus on specific examples of process improvements, quantifiable results, and your methodology for change management. Be ready to discuss SOPs, templates, and tool implementation.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: "How do you ensure effective communication between design, account management, and production teams?" or "Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting feedback from a client and the production team. How did you resolve it?"
  • Preparation: Prepare case studies that highlight your ability to navigate interdepartmental dynamics, manage client expectations, and facilitate consensus. Emphasize active listening and problem-solving.
• Problem-Solving: "You're given a client's creative render for a complex display that seems structurally challenging and potentially over budget. What are your first steps, and how do you approach finding a feasible solution?"
  • Preparation: Outline your systematic approach to problem-solving, starting with understanding constraints, exploring material options, value engineering techniques, and creative reinterpretation of the brief.

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Direct Edge Media and this specific role?"
  • Preparation: Research the company's client base, recent projects (if available), and its position in the retail display market. Connect your skills and aspirations to the company's mission.
• "How do you foster a collaborative and innovative environment within a design team?"
  • Preparation: Discuss your leadership philosophy, methods for encouraging creativity, promoting teamwork, and managing team dynamics.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Structure: For each portfolio piece, tell a story: the client's problem, your team's solution (highlighting your specific contributions), and the positive outcome (e.g., increased sales, reduced costs, improved brand presence).
• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate success. This could include percentage improvements in efficiency, cost savings achieved through value engineering, or project completion times.
• Technical Depth: Be ready to walk through specific ArtiosCAD files or 3D renderings, explaining your design choices, software techniques, and considerations for manufacturing.
• Leadership Examples: If showcasing team projects, clearly articulate your role as a leader or mentor in achieving the final result.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only technical prowess but also strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the operational aspects of design production.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the recruiting.paylocity.com platform.
• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to specifically highlight your experience with POS retail displays, packaging, and your leadership capabilities. Prioritize projects that demonstrate ArtiosCAD proficiency, value engineering, and successful translation of creative briefs into production-ready designs.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description, such as "Structural Design Manager," "Creative Director," "POS Displays," "Packaging," "ArtiosCAD," "3D Visualization," "Workflow Management," and "Team Leadership." Quantify achievements whenever possible.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experiences and skills using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and process improvement strategies. Prepare a concise overview of 2-3 key projects from your portfolio to present.
• Company Research: Understand Direct Edge Media's market position, typical clients, and any publicly available information about their projects or company culture. This demonstrates genuine interest and allows you to tailor your responses effectively.

⚠️ 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.