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.
