Adaptive Design Manager

Trident Graphics NA LLC; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

Wellbeing resources

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

TOPPAN Packaging Americas seeks an experienced Adaptive Art Manager to lead design adaptation across SKUs and formats, ensuring master design intent stays intact while expanding the portfolio.

You’ll manage adaptive designers, set design system standards, and collaborate with Creative, Client Engagement, Artwork and Production teams to deliver on-brand, compliant packaging solutions.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or higher in a design-related field.
• Minimum 5 years in packaging design or related field.
• Experience with master design systems and brand guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the adaptation of master designs across SKUs, formats and portfolio architectures.
• Interpret design intent and establish principles for how the system flexes across the portfolio.
• Protect brand equity during adaptation, keeping hierarchy, typography, color and assets consistent.
• Make design decisions when specific SKUs or formats aren’t covered by the master design.
• Balance design integrity with regulatory, legal, structural, technical and production requirements.
• Identify design-system challenges early and propose cross-portfolio solutions.
• Provide creative direction and quality oversight for adaptive designers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure adaptive work preserves the craft and sensibility of the original concept.

Skills

Design leadership

Systems thinking

Brand stewardship

Packaging expertise

Problem solving

Quality

Leadership & coaching

Education

Associates degree

Foundation degree in Graphic Arts

Job description

TOPPAN Packaging Americas specializes in designing and manufacturing sustainable, high-performance flexible and thermoformed packaging solutions for the food, beverage, medical and consumer goods industries. We offer products like transparent high barrier films, pouches, clamshells and trays, utilizing advanced technology to enhance product safety, visibility and environmental sustainability. TOPPAN Packaging Americas operates as part of the global TOPPAN group, with 22 manufacturing facilities across North America, Latin America and Europe. Want to learn more? Visit us at packaging.toppan.com

Summary Description

The Adaptive Art Manager understands that great adaptive design is more than applying a master design to another SKU. This role is responsible for interpreting the intent behind the master design and ensuring that intent is maintained as the system expands across different products, formats, sizes, claims, regulatory requirements and markets. This person brings together strong design sensibility, technical packaging knowledge and an exceptional eye for detail. They will lead adaptive designers, establish the standards for how a design system is implemented, and work closely with Creative, Client Engagement, Artwork and Production teams to ensure every execution feels intentional, consistent and true to the brand.

What you’ll be doing

Lead the adaptation of approved master designs across multiple SKUs, product variants, pack formats and portfolio architectures. Interpret master design intent and establish clear principles for how the design system should flex across the portfolio. Protect brand equity throughout adaptation, ensuring key visual assets, hierarchy, typography, color, imagery and distinctive brand elements remain consistent. Make informed design decisions when individual SKUs or formats require solutions not explicitly addressed within the master design. Balance design integrity with regulatory, legal, structural, technical and production requirements. Identify potential design‑system challenges early and recommend solutions that can work consistently across the broader portfolio. Provide creative direction, review and quality oversight for adaptive designers throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure adaptive work maintains the craft and design sensibility of the original concept rather than becoming a mechanical execution exercise. Partner closely with the Creative Director and originating design team to understand the strategic and creative thinking behind the master design. Collaborate with Client Engagement, Artwork, Production and other Trident teams to ensure a smooth transition from creative design through final production. Review work against approved brand guidelines, design principles, packaging architecture and client‑specific requirements. Participate in client conversations and confidently explain adaptive design decisions, system recommendations and portfolio considerations. Manage multiple projects and portfolios while maintaining quality, consistency and delivery expectations. Support the development, coaching and training of adaptive designers and help establish best practices for adaptive design across Grit & Pearl. Play an active role in Grit & Pearl and Trident quality control protocols. This is a HYBRID position located out of our Cincinnati Office.

We’d love to hear from you if

• Design Leadership Brings a strong design eye to adaptive work and understands how to maintain the creative intent and quality of a master design across an entire portfolio.
• Systems Thinking Understands that packaging portfolios are interconnected systems. Able to anticipate how a decision made on one SKU or format may affect dozens of others.
• Brand Stewardship Recognizes the distinctive assets and design principles that create brand equity and protects them throughout adaptation.
• Packaging Expertise Understands the realities of CPG packaging, including regulatory requirements, structural differences, print considerations, production constraints and artwork processes.
• Problem Solving Comfortable making thoughtful design decisions when the master design does not provide an obvious answer. Knows when to solve within the system and when an issue requires creative or client escalation.
• Quality Sets a high standard for accuracy, consistency and craft while ensuring adaptive work retains the sensibility of the original creative idea.
• Leadership & Coaching Able to lead, develop and inspire designers while providing clear, constructive and actionable creative direction.

Education Required

Associates, foundation degree within the Graphic Arts Education Preferred: Design, Digital Design, Communication Design or similar field focused on creative communication and/or visual arts.

Experience

5+ years industry experience in packaging and direct customer engagement/consultation

At TOPPAN Packaging Americas, We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support our employees’ overall wellbeing. This includes competitive pay, robust benefits, and programs that help you thrive both personally and professionally. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary based on your work location, employment classification, or collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to providing a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute to their fullest potential. We also provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment processes. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.

Our Thermoformed and Flexible Packaging business serves North America, Latin America and Europe with 22 locations. We create and manufacture sustainable packaging solutions. Our customers span the food, retail, and medical sectors. Our packaging meets the needs of a wide range of applications including snacks, condiments, healthcare items, prepared meals, fresh produce, coffee, and pet food. We are committed to responsible packaging that protects products and supports a healthier planet.

Our Vision

Change the World through Packaging Innovation

Our Mission

Foster a society focused on well-being and sustainability, while safeguarding our planet for future generations, through the continuous development of innovative packaging solutions that explore cutting‑edge materials and technologies.

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