Retail Product Designer / Product Developer – Children’s Products

Minneapolis-based onsite role for a designer/developer focused on children’s mass-market retail products, from concept through prepress and final production.

• Develop original product concepts, artwork, and designs for children’s seasonal and everyday printed goods, including stickers, activity products, paper novelties, promotional products, and related consumer items
• Research children’s trends across themes, colors, graphics, characters, illustration styles, activities, and popular retail categories
• Create age-appropriate designs that align with customer specifications and market expectations for multiple age groups
• Build coordinated assortments for mass-market retail, including themed collections, seasonal programs, and complementary product lines
• Produce production-ready art using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop (artwork, illustrations, graphics, layouts, and files)
• Design packaging and merchandising including retail packaging, labels, inserts, displays, and merchandising concepts to improve shelf appeal
• Align with commercial requirements across customer needs, target retail price points, brand guidelines, and established product specifications
• Prepare prepress files with accurate file setup, color specifications, typography, image placement, dielines, and other requirements for commercial printing and packaging
• Manage the artwork lifecycle through prepress and production by reviewing proofs and making revisions for accuracy and print readiness
• Collaborate on manufacturability with Production and printing/packaging teams to evaluate feasibility, materials, printing methods, finishing processes, and manufacturing needs
• Optimize for cost and margin by modifying designs, materials, specifications, and production methods to meet cost targets and improve manufacturability
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Project Management, Production, Purchasing, outside vendors, and company leadership to meet sales objectives and market opportunities
• Interpret project documentation including customer briefs, reference materials, product specifications, and artwork requirements
• Run multiple projects concurrently by prioritizing assignments and meeting development, artwork, approval, and production deadlines
• Verify quality pre-production by reviewing product samples, proofs, prototypes, and production samples for accuracy, color consistency, and adherence to approved specifications
• Maintain organized documentation for artwork files, product information, design assets, specifications, and supporting materials within company systems
• Coordinate with external partners when applicable, including overseas manufacturers, sourcing partners, and outside vendors for development, sampling, and production
• Improve product design outcomes by identifying opportunities to reduce complexity, optimize material usage, and enhance quality and retail appeal
• Stay current on printing technologies, packaging innovations, materials, manufacturing capabilities, and industry best practices
• Support continuous improvement related to design/development processes, artwork management, production efficiency, and quality
• Maintain confidentiality for customer information, proprietary artwork, product concepts, pricing, and company business information
• Follow quality and compliance standards including customer requirements, product specifications, work instructions, and applicable product safety requirements
• Consider compliance during design for age appropriateness, product functionality, labeling, warnings, and applicable product safety requirements
• Address regulatory needs by coordinating internal departments and external partners for regulatory, labeling, material, and product compliance requirements
• Escalate issues promptly by communicating design errors, quality concerns, specification discrepancies, or potential compliance issues to the right personnel
• Support corrective actions related to product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction
• Additional duties as assigned by the VP of Sales for Mello Smello to support product development, creative operations, customer requirements, and business objectives

Requirements

• Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Product Design, Illustration, Visual Communications, or a related field (equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered)
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in graphic design, retail product design, product development, packaging design, or a related field (strongly preferred experience designing children’s products for mass-market retail)
• Software: advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop (required)
• Preferred: experience with imported products, overseas sourcing, international vendors, or global manufacturing partners
• Portfolio: strong portfolio demonstrating children’s product design, illustration, graphic design, packaging, printed products, or related consumer products
• Design foundations: strong understanding of typography, color theory, composition, layout, illustration, and visual communication
• Printed product experience: experience developing printed products such as stickers, activity products, paper novelties, promotional items, or similar consumer products
• Retail programs: experience developing seasonal and everyday product programs for mass-market retailers
• Production readiness: ability to prepare accurate, production-ready artwork and understand file preparation requirements for commercial printing and packaging
• Technical interpretation: ability to interpret design briefs, customer specifications, dielines, technical information, and production requirements
• Manufacturing knowledge: understanding of materials, printing methods, finishing processes, and manufacturing constraints
• Balance constraints: ability to balance creative design objectives with production feasibility, target costs, retail pricing, and profitability
• Children’s focus: strong understanding of children’s trends, themes, visual preferences, and age-appropriate product development
• Plus: illustration, character development, cartooning, or hand-drawing skills
• Tools: working proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use applicable project management, artwork management, and ERP systems
• Detail orientation: exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in design and production files
• Execution: strong organizational and time-management skills to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Communication: strong written and verbal communication skills; able to collaborate across departments and utilize to communicate with other languages
• Working style: ability to work independently with limited supervision and contribute effectively as part of a team
• Personal qualities: reliability, positive attitude, strong work ethic, flexibility, and commitment to quality
• Learning: willingness to learn new software, systems, design techniques, manufacturing processes, and industry practices
• Onsite attendance: regular and dependable attendance onsite is an essential function
• Physical requirements: prolonged sitting and computer work; occasional walking through manufacturing/production areas if needed; safe navigation of manufacturing environment on occasion; occasional lifting/movement of product samples, prototypes, documents, or materials as required
• Work setting: ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Adaptability: ability to adapt to changing customer needs, project priorities, product trends, and production requirements
• Other duties: willingness to perform other related duties as assigned by the VP of MelloSmello Sales to support operational and business needs

Technologies

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Office

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Compensation

• $95,000 - $125,000 per year

Work Location

• Minneapolis, MN (onsite)
• Work location noted as hybrid remote in Minneapolis, MN 55430