Print & Packaging Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Print & Packaging Graphic Designer

Company: ITW Car Care (a division of Illinois Tool Works)

Location: Houston, Texas, United States (77084)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: June 15, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-8+ years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation of impactful, concept-driven packaging and print designs that align with brand standards and elevate retail performance.

• Translate consumer insights and market trends into compelling visual storytelling and creative solutions that enhance shopper engagement and brand differentiation.

• Manage the end-to-end production lifecycle for retail and marketing assets, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and on-time delivery across print and digital channels.

• Collaborate effectively with Brand, MARCOM, Sales, and R&D teams to deliver integrated creative solutions that support overarching business objectives.

• Prepare and manage production-ready files, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of print production processes and quality control.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is deeply integrated into the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, focusing on how design directly influences shopper behavior, retail performance, and brand perception. The emphasis on "concept-driven" and "strategic thinking" indicates a need for more than just aesthetic execution; it requires understanding the business impact of design decisions. The role bridges creative execution with operational precision in production and cross-functional alignment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop high-impact, concept-driven packaging and print designs that are strategically aligned with brand standards, business objectives, and specific retail requirements.

• Apply consumer insights, market trends, and competitive awareness to create compelling visual storytelling and creative solutions that drive measurable business outcomes such as shopper engagement, conversion rates, and overall retail performance.

• Create and execute integrated marketing assets across packaging, print, and digital channels, ensuring a consistent and effective brand message throughout the consumer journey.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams (Brand, MARCOM, Sales, R&D) and external vendors to deliver cohesive, effective creative solutions that support both brand equity and immediate business goals.

• Manage multiple design projects concurrently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, maintaining a high standard of quality and consistency under pressure.

• Prepare and manage production-ready files for various print and packaging applications, ensuring accuracy in color management, layout, regulatory compliance, and specific print production specifications.

• Ensure all creative deliverables meet stringent quality standards, exhibiting meticulous attention to detail, accuracy, and readiness for production.

• Clearly present design concepts and articulate the strategic rationale behind them, actively incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine and strengthen creative output.

• Demonstrate proactive ownership by identifying potential issues, independently solving problems, and driving projects to successful completion within allocated timelines and budgets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative strategy and operational execution. The emphasis on "measurable business outcomes," "shopper engagement," and "retail performance" points towards a need for the candidate to think beyond pure aesthetics and consider the commercial impact of their design work, aligning with GTM operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is often preferred, though extensive experience and a strong portfolio can sometimes substitute.

Experience: 5–8+ years of dedicated experience in packaging, print, and digital design. Previous experience within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry is highly preferred due to its fast-paced nature and specific retail demands.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio showcasing best-in-class, concept-driven creative work with clear strategic thinking, including case-based examples of packaging that demonstrably improves consumer engagement, retail presence, or brand differentiation.

• Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously with strong ownership, accountability, and consistent delivery of high-quality work.

• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic mindset, with the ability to translate consumer insights and business objectives into creative solutions that drive measurable impact.

• Comprehensive knowledge of print production processes, including traditional, specialty, and digital methods, with a keen understanding of color management, substrates, and finishing techniques.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and familiarity with a range of design tools.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, including active listening, clear presentation of ideas, openness to feedback, and the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse teams.

• Highly organized with exceptional time management and productivity skills, adept at balancing competing priorities while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.

• Experience working with Brand, MARCOM, Sales, and suppliers to develop and deliver effective, on-time marketing materials.

• Ability to follow established processes, workflows, and brand standards, ensuring consistency and production readiness while remaining adaptable in a dynamic environment. Preferred Skills:

• Previous CPG experience.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Outlook).

• Basic understanding of current AI tools and their application in design workflows.

• Experience with web, digital, and video design principles.

• Ability to adapt existing design files for updates or new executions efficiently.

• Demonstrates initiative, curiosity, and a continuous improvement mindset, staying current with design trends, emerging tools, and evolving consumer and retail behaviors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "strong portfolio showcasing strategic and concept-driven thinking" and "case-based examples" is critical. For operations roles, this translates to demonstrating how design decisions lead to quantifiable business improvements, akin to how operations professionals demonstrate ROI through process optimization. The mention of AI tools suggests a forward-thinking approach to design operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated selection of projects demonstrating a deep understanding of packaging design principles, including structural considerations, material selection, and shelf appeal.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design brief, strategic approach, creative problem-solving, and measurable outcomes (e.g., increased sales, improved brand recall, enhanced shopper engagement).

• Examples of print design projects, showcasing versatility across various applications such as point-of-purchase (POP), point-of-sale (POSM), displays, trade show materials, and collateral.

• Visual storytelling examples that illustrate the ability to translate complex brand messages or product benefits into clear, compelling visual narratives for consumers.

• Projects that highlight adherence to brand standards and consistency across multiple touchpoints, demonstrating an understanding of brand architecture and guidelines. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of managing the print production lifecycle, from initial concept and pre-press checks to final output and quality assurance.

• Examples of workflow management, showcasing the ability to balance multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a high-volume environment.

• Documentation of collaborative processes, illustrating how you've worked with cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing, R&D) and external vendors to achieve project goals.

• Demonstrations of problem-solving within design and production constraints, including how challenges were identified, addressed, and resolved to ensure successful project completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a design role with operational responsibilities like this, the portfolio is crucial for demonstrating not just creative talent but also process adherence, project management capabilities, and the ability to deliver tangible business results through design. It serves as a "process portfolio" showcasing how the candidate executes and manages design projects from concept to completion, much like an operations professional would document process improvements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the experience level (5-8+ years), location (Houston, TX), and industry (CPG/Manufacturing), a competitive salary range for a Print & Packaging Graphic Designer would typically fall between $70,000 - $95,000 annually. This estimate is derived from industry benchmarks for similar roles in major metropolitan areas and considers the specialized skills in packaging and print production required.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with potential company match.

• Paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, workshops, and potential for attending industry events.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Life and disability insurance.

Working Hours: This is a full-time, on-site role. Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week, aligning with business needs. While a standard schedule is expected, occasional overtime may be required to meet project deadlines or support critical business initiatives, especially common in fast-paced creative and production environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical compensation for mid-to-senior level graphic designers specializing in packaging and print production in a major US city like Houston, considering the CPG industry context. Benefits are standard offerings for full-time roles at companies of ITW's size and industry standing.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing / Automotive Aftermarket / Consumer Goods. ITW Car Care operates within the highly competitive automotive aftermarket sector, providing products that range from car care essentials to performance enhancements. This industry demands continuous innovation, strong brand presence, and effective retail execution.

Company Size: ITW (Illinois Tool Works) is a Fortune 200 global diversified manufacturer with a substantial employee base and a decentralized operational structure. This means ITW Car Care, as a division, likely benefits from the resources and stability of a large corporation while maintaining agility within its specific market.

Founded: Illinois Tool Works (ITW) was founded in 1912. This long history suggests a stable, established company with a deep understanding of manufacturing and business operations.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a Marketing or Creative team, reporting to a Creative Director, Art Director, or Marketing Manager.

• This individual will collaborate closely with Brand Managers, Product Development teams (R&D), Sales teams, and potentially external agencies or print vendors.

• The team structure is designed for efficiency and cross-functional support, typical of a division within a larger manufacturing conglomerate. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role emphasizes using consumer insights, market trends, and retail performance data to inform design decisions that drive measurable business outcomes.

• Agile Workflow: The "fast-paced, high-performance creative environment" suggests an agile approach to project management, prioritizing rapid iteration and timely delivery of assets.

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology involves strict adherence to brand standards to ensure a cohesive brand experience across all touchpoints.

• Production Excellence: Rigorous attention to detail in preparing files for production is a key operational methodology.

Company Website: https://www.itw.com/ (ITW Corporate), https://www.itwcarcare.com/ (ITW Car Care - Note: This URL might be an example/placeholder, actual site may vary)

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding ITW's decentralized model is key. While ITW is large, the Car Care division likely operates with a degree of autonomy, requiring the designer to be adaptable to specific divisional needs and processes while leveraging corporate resources. The emphasis on "fast-paced" and "high-performance" indicates a culture that values efficiency and results.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Senior Level Designer. It requires significant experience (5-8+ years) and the ability to work independently, manage complex projects, and contribute strategically to brand and marketing efforts. It’s a hands-on creative role with operational responsibilities in production and project management.

Reporting Structure: The designer will likely report to a Creative Lead (e.g., Creative Director, Art Director) or a Marketing Manager. This individual will be a key contributor within the marketing or creative department, collaborating extensively with other functional teams.

Operations Impact: The graphic designer's work has a direct impact on the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy by:

• Driving Shopper Engagement: Creating visually appealing packaging and retail displays that capture consumer attention on the shelf.

• Enhancing Brand Differentiation: Developing unique visual identities and compelling storytelling that sets ITW Car Care brands apart from competitors.

• Improving Retail Performance: Designing assets that support sales objectives, promotional campaigns, and overall product sell-through.

• Ensuring Brand Consistency: Maintaining uniform brand messaging and visual identity across all marketing materials, which is critical for brand recognition and trust.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like advanced packaging structures, sustainable packaging design, or digital asset creation for e-commerce.

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior Graphic Designer, Art Director, or Creative Lead role, mentoring junior designers and overseeing larger projects or campaigns.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Move into related roles within Marketing, Brand Management, or Product Development, leveraging design understanding to inform broader business strategies.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to refining design and production workflows, potentially leading initiatives to implement new tools or technologies (e.g., AI in design).

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes not just design skill advancement but also the application of design thinking to broader business and operational challenges, aligning with the evolution of GTM roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration is valued. This setting is typical for manufacturing companies that require hands-on interaction with product samples, production teams, and physical marketing materials.

Office Location(s): Houston, Texas (77084). Being located in Houston offers access to a major metropolitan area with a diverse talent pool and a robust business ecosystem.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative workspace designed to foster teamwork and idea sharing among the creative and marketing teams.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware, including powerful workstations and potentially large-format printers or proofing tools for print iterations.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues from Brand, Sales, and Product Development, facilitating a holistic understanding of business objectives and consumer needs.

• A dynamic environment where designers are expected to be hands-on, involved in the tactile aspects of print and packaging design.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday. While core hours are expected, flexibility may be available depending on project demands and team needs, though the on-site requirement means consistent physical presence is necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is significant for a design role, suggesting the importance of physical prototyping, direct collaboration with production teams, and immediate feedback loops that are best facilitated in person.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of resume and application, focusing on experience, skills, and alignment with basic requirements.

2. Portfolio Review & Creative Assessment: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, highlighting strategic thinking, concept development, and execution across packaging and print. This may involve a live presentation or a detailed review by the hiring manager and design team. Be prepared to discuss project rationale, challenges, and outcomes.

3. Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a short design exercise or a discussion on print production processes, color management, and software proficiency to gauge practical skills.

4. Behavioral & Cross-Functional Interview: Interviews with the hiring manager and potentially key stakeholders from Brand, Sales, or R&D to assess collaboration, problem-solving, communication skills, and cultural fit within the fast-paced, performance-driven environment.

5. Final Interview: May involve senior leadership for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects, focusing on packaging and print design that demonstrates strategic thinking and measurable impact.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic insights that drove your design decisions, the creative process, challenges overcome, and the ultimate results or impact (e.g., sales lift, brand engagement). Quantify results whenever possible.

• Highlight Production Expertise: Showcase your understanding of print production, materials, and pre-press. Include examples where you’ve managed production workflows or solved production-related challenges.

• Demonstrate Brand Acumen: Show how you've applied and maintained brand consistency, and how your designs have helped differentiate brands in competitive markets.

• Prepare for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design process, how you handle feedback, your experience with CPG/automotive aftermarket, and your problem-solving approach.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready for a potential design challenge that simulates a real-world brief, possibly involving adapting existing designs, creating a quick concept for a new product, or solving a packaging/print production issue.

• Practice articulating your design rationale clearly and concisely, focusing on how your solutions meet business objectives.

• Prepare to discuss your workflow, time management strategies, and how you ensure accuracy and quality under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates must demonstrate not only creative talent but also a strategic, results-oriented approach to design that aligns with GTM objectives. The emphasis on "concept-driven" and "strategic thinking" means showcasing why a design works, not just that it looks good.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency required in:

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, line art, and packaging dielines.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation, retouching, mockups, and digital asset creation.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design of print collateral, brochures, spec sheets, and potentially packaging components.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word for documentation, PowerPoint for presentations, and Excel for basic data tracking or collaboration.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Teams for communication and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary analytics role, understanding how design impacts metrics tracked by MARCOM or Sales teams (e.g., conversion rates, retail performance data) is beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM/automation tool requirements are specified for this design role, but understanding how marketing assets integrate into broader CRM or marketing automation workflows could be advantageous. Other Potential Tools:

• 3D Rendering Software (e.g., Adobe Dimension, Keyshot): Useful for creating realistic packaging mockups.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Workfront): Familiarity with systems used for task tracking and workflow management.

• AI Tools: Basic understanding of emerging AI tools for design assistance or content generation is noted as a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core requirement is deep expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly for print and packaging. The mention of AI tools indicates a forward-looking approach by the company, suggesting that candidates familiar with integrating AI into their design process will be highly regarded.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A strong emphasis on delivering measurable results and driving business outcomes, particularly in retail performance and shopper engagement.

• Efficiency & Speed: The "fast-paced, high-performance" environment suggests a culture that values quick turnarounds, efficient workflows, and proactive problem-solving.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: The role requires close partnership with various departments, indicating a culture that promotes cross-functional communication and shared goals.

• Quality & Accuracy: A commitment to high standards in design execution and production readiness, with meticulous attention to detail.

• Continuous Improvement: An expectation to stay current with industry trends, adopt new tools, and consistently seek ways to enhance creative output and processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Designers are expected to work seamlessly with Brand, Marketing, Sales, and R&D, understanding their needs and translating them into effective visual solutions.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from diverse stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment with business objectives.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly updating stakeholders on project status, potential challenges, and creative direction to maintain transparency and alignment.

• Partnership with Vendors: Effectively managing relationships with external printers and suppliers to ensure quality and timely delivery of production materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values both creative excellence and operational rigor. Designers are expected to be strategic partners, not just order-takers, contributing to the company's success through impactful design and efficient execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Business Constraints: Effectively translating strategic objectives and brand guidelines into compelling designs while adhering to production limitations, budgets, and tight deadlines.

• Managing High Volume & Diverse Projects: Juggling multiple projects simultaneously across different brands and asset types (packaging, print collateral, digital) in a fast-paced setting.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping pace with rapidly evolving design trends, consumer preferences, and new production technologies in the competitive automotive aftermarket and CPG spaces.

• Ensuring Production Accuracy: Meticulously managing pre-press checks and print specifications to avoid costly errors and ensure final output meets quality standards.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to hone skills in areas like sustainable packaging design, advanced typography, or motion graphics for digital assets.

• Industry Exposure: Potential to attend industry trade shows, conferences, or workshops related to packaging design, print production, or branding.

• Cross-Departmental Understanding: Gaining deeper insights into sales strategies, product development processes, and marketing campaign execution through close collaboration.

• Process Optimization: Contributing to the refinement of design workflows and production processes, potentially exploring new technologies like AI for efficiency gains.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to develop a holistic understanding of how design functions within a broader GTM and operational framework, moving beyond pure execution to strategic contribution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a packaging design project from your portfolio where you had to balance strong brand identity with specific retail requirements. What was your strategic approach, and what were the results?" (Focus on strategic thinking, problem-solving, and quantifiable outcomes).

• "How do you ensure accuracy and quality in print production files, especially when dealing with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders?" (Highlight your process, attention to detail, and communication skills).

• "Walk us through a time you had to adapt an existing design for a new product or campaign. What was your process, and how did you maintain brand consistency?" (Demonstrate adaptability and understanding of brand guidelines). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ITW Car Care and the automotive aftermarket industry?" (Show research into the company and sector).

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs from non-designers?" (Assess collaboration and receptiveness to input).

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. How do you prioritize your workload?" (Highlight organizational and time management skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, start with the challenge/objective, detail your strategic approach and creative solutions, explain your role, and conclude with the results or impact.

• Quantify Your Impact: Wherever possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., "This packaging redesign contributed to a 15% lift in shelf-set sales," or "Improved on-shelf visibility by X%").

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your workflow, from concept generation to final production readiness, highlighting key decisions and problem-solving steps.

• Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Prepare to discuss specific print production techniques, color profiles (CMYK vs. RGB), die lines, and common pre-press issues.

• Enthusiasm for Brand & Retail: Convey your passion for creating designs that not only look good but also perform well in a retail environment and effectively communicate brand value.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating how your design skills translate into tangible business results and operational efficiency, aligning with the "performance-driven" and "strategic" aspects of the role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Print & Packaging Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ITW careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "packaging design," "print production," "CPG experience," "Adobe Creative Suite," "retail performance," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your strongest packaging and print design projects, with clear case studies demonstrating strategic thinking and measurable results. Organize it for easy navigation and focus on quality over quantity.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, clearly articulating your design process, strategic rationale, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss technical aspects of print production and your experience in fast-paced environments.

• Research ITW Car Care: Understand their brands (Rain-X, Black Magic), their market position in the automotive aftermarket, and any recent product launches or campaigns to demonstrate genuine interest and industry awareness.

⚠️ 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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