Sr Manager, Graphic Design

KeHE Distributors, LLC is seeking a senior creative leader to guide graphic design strategy and delivery for a team of designers and freelancers. In this onsite role in Naperville, IL, you will oversee brand-consistent visual solutions across digital, print, and experiential channels, helping protect and elevate the KeHE identity through high-impact work.

Summary

The Sr. Graphic Design Manager provides creative leadership and strategic direction for a team of designers, overseeing development of high-impact visual solutions that elevate and protect the KeHE brand. The role leads creation of KeHE publications and a wide range of creative projects across digital, print, and experiential channels while ensuring brand consistency, innovation, and excellence.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, evolve, and implement KeHE’s brand strategy across all channels of the organization.
• Partner with Advertising, Marketing, and Event teams to ensure creative outputs reinforce organizational brand positioning and voice.
• Lead and mentor a team of graphic designers and freelancers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment.
• Plan and oversee high-impact visual projects across digital (website, social, email), print, and experiential channels, including trade shows and events, aligned to enterprise brand strategy, business objectives, and measurable performance outcomes.
• Oversee creation of all digital and printed publications to ensure they are on time and accurate.
• Assist KeHE leaders with dynamic PowerPoint presentations.
• Create structured project plans for the Creative team based on defined requirements and approved project specifications.
• Ensure printed projects remain within expense budgets.
• Participate in strategic planning and development of an in-house agency model, including scalable processes, service tiers, and creative solutions supporting supplier and retailer advertising initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Advertising team to conceptualize and deliver revenue-driving creative solutions for external clients in alignment with brand standards, marketing goals, and business objectives.
• Provide strategic thought leadership for external customer advertising proposals and RFP responses.
• Collaborate with Advertising to develop, pilot, and implement a Retail Media Network.
• Oversee and continuously optimize the end-to-end creative workflow for advertising initiatives, establishing scalable processes, governance standards, and resource allocation to meet timelines, budgets, quality benchmarks, and business objectives.
• Delegate across the Creative team, overseeing project strategy, concept development, and quality assurance to ensure deliverables are executed with excellence and completed on schedule.
• Leverage AI-powered tools and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, enhance design innovation, accelerate production timelines, and improve team efficiency.
• Assist the Creative Director and the Creative team with tasks as necessary.
• Direct video production strategy across brand and advertising initiatives, aligning execution with objectives, performance metrics, brand standards, and fiscal responsibility.
• Meet with stakeholders to conceptualize, scope, and develop deliverables and timelines.
• Identify and recommend innovative approaches to elevate design quality and address project challenges with strategic, solution-oriented thinking.
• Assist the Marketing team with Excel and Word formatting projects.
• Assist with strategy for incorporating the strategic plan within marketing and graphics.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in visual communications or related field of study.
• 8+ years of related experience in graphic design or marketing.
• 5+ years of management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of Adobe programs including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office programs including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, able to influence at all organizational levels.
• Strong track record of successfully designing and implementing innovative strategic projects and tools throughout a large organization.
• Strong project and time management skills.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic creative project plans that drive results.
• Ability to manage many tasks simultaneously with time-conflicting pressures.
• Ability to develop highly effective internal and external relationships.
• Strong track record of leading a team of creative professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and effectively as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including some weekends.
• Growth mindset with openness to coaching and feedback, continuously learning.
• Ability to manage a team by providing feedback, guidance, and leadership aligned with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Civility Code.

Technologies

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• PowerPoint
• AI-powered tools

Benefits

• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Location: Naperville, IL (onsite). Compensation: USD 97,350 - 142,659 per year.

Physical requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.