Associate Graphics Manager

Smithfield Packaged Meats Sales Corp; Town of Smithfield (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Package Available

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking an Associate Graphics Manager to lead packaging design for brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan's Famous. You will coordinate artwork from concept to print production, working with marketing, design partners and operations to deliver high-quality packaging on schedule.

This role emphasizes project management over design, requiring strong knowledge of print production, Illustrator, and cross-functional communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing or related field required.
• 3+ years of project management for print/marketing/package design experience.
• Experience leading by training or mentoring staff or managing a process.
• Strong knowledge of print production management.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator; comfortable with Apple OS and MS Office.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily art workflow for packaging projects with design consultancies and vendors.
• Organize content for packaging (dielines, photos, nutritionals, UPCs) and coordinate with teams.
• Coordinate packaging design reviews and approvals with cross-functional teams.
• Establish and track timelines, manage production budgets, participate in meetings.
• Oversee design development for corrugated displays and ensure print quality.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

Project management

Leadership

Print production

Adobe Illustrator

Apple OS

MS Office

Travel 10%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Marketing or related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Are you a creative and driven marketing professional who thrives in fast-paced environments? Join Smithfield Foods, one of the top 25 consumer packaged goods companies! We're seeking an Associate Graphics Manager to help expand our brands, like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous. As part of our team, you’ll leverage data to boost brand profitability and collaborate with sales, business operations, and design teams to deliver outstanding products. The Associate Graphics Manager will oversee packaging design for select brands, working closely with marketing teams and external partners to bring designs from concept to print production. This role offers the opportunity to lead projects, drive creativity, and make a real impact across the company. Note* (Please read carefully!) This is not a Graphic Designer role. This position is primarily focused on project management, coordinating artwork, packaging, and cross-functional projects from initiation through completion.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Daily Workflow & Project Coordination: Manages daily art workflow for packaging and related projects, collaborating with design consultancies, vendors, and marketing to meet deadlines. Proactively addresses obstacles and prepares contingency plans.
• Content Management & Communication: Organizes and collects all content for packaging (e.g., dielines, photos, nutritionals, UPCs) and communicates with design consultancies.
• Design Approval & Collaboration: Coordinates packaging design reviews and approvals with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, R&D, and Operations.
• Timeline & Budget Management: Establishes and tracks project timelines, manages production budgets, and attends weekly project meetings.
• Quality Assurance & Printing: Manages design development for corrugated displays and boxes. Provides technical guidance to ensure print quality and color accuracy, attending press runs as needed.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Graphic Design, Marketing or related field and 3+ years of relevant experience in project management for print/marketing/package design, print production or agency/design firm client service; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or through managing a process or project.
• Strong knowledge of print production management.
• Moderate proficiency and knowledge of Adobe Illustrator.
• Strong proficiency in Apple OS and MS Office.
• Ability to make minor revisions to production files in Adobe Illustrator, a plus.
• Strong attention to detail in both written and verbal communication.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Ability to communicate effectively and develop positive relationships when part of a dynamic and cross-functional team.
• Well organized and able to handle multiple projects & priorities.
• Willingness to learn new things and with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

The expected pay range for this position is $55,000 - $82,500 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

Relocation Package Available Yes

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities. Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.