Design Manager

The Campbell's Company; Camden (NJ); On-site; USD 105,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits beginning day one

Dental benefits

401(k) with matching

Paid time off and holidays

On-site fitness center

Job summary

Campbell’s Company is seeking a Design Manager to lead design work across assigned brands or categories, ensuring high-quality, on-strategy delivery across packaging, production, and asset management. This role provides leadership to a team of designers and partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to bring brands to life.

Reporting into senior design leadership, the Design Manager drives design strategy into impactful, consumer-centered solutions that elevate brand performance and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) design, with food industry experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing design teams and leading creative projects from concept through execution.
• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Visual Communications, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of design initiatives across assigned brands and categories, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, visual standards, and business objectives.
• Manage, mentor, and develop designers by providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and ongoing performance coaching.
• Translate design strategies into actionable briefs, timelines, workflows, and deliverables.
• Partner cross-functionally with Brand, Marketing, Innovation, Operations, and other key stakeholders to deliver effective design solutions on schedule and within budget.
• Provide day-to-day direction and oversight to external agencies, production partners, and vendors.
• Review, evaluate, and approve creative work to ensure quality, accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand standards.
• Oversee production and pre-press activities, ensuring flawless execution from concept through final delivery.
• Support budget management, production planning, and operational processes related to design projects.
• Identify, recommend, and implement opportunities to improve workflows, tools, processes, and team efficiency.
• Ensure all design assets and deliverables meet regulatory requirements, production specifications, and organizational standards.

Skills

CPG design

Team leadership

Adobe Creative Suite

Brand design

Packaging design

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design / Visual Communications

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Since 1869, we've connected people through food they love. We’re proud to be stewards of amazing brands that people trust. Our portfolio includes the iconic Campbell’s brand, as well as Cape Cod, Chunky, Goldfish, Kettle Brand, Lance, Late July, Pacific Foods, Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Pace, Rao’s Homemade, Snack Factory, Snyder’s of Hanover. Swanson, and V8.

Here, you will make a difference every day. You will be supported to build a rewarding career with opportunities to grow, innovate and inspire. Make history with us.

Why Campbell’s…

• Benefits begin on day one and include medical, dental, short and long-term disability, AD&D, and life insurance (for individual, families, and domestic partners).
• Employees are eligible for our matching 401(k) plan and can enroll on the first day of employment with immediate vesting.
• Campbell’s offers unlimited sick time along with paid time off and holiday pay.
• If in WHQ – free access to the fitness center. Access to on-site day care (operated by Bright Horizons) and company store.
• Giving back to the communities where our employees work and live is very important to Campbell’s. Our “Campbell’s Cares” program matches employee donations and/or volunteer activity up to $1,500 annually.
• Campbell’s has a variety of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to support employees.

How You Will Make History Here…

The Design Manager is responsible for leading the execution of design work across assigned brands or categories, ensuring high-quality, consistent, and on-strategy delivery across packaging, production, and asset management. This role provides leadership and direction to a team of designers while partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders and external agency partners to bring brands to life and drive business objectives. Reporting into senior design leadership, the Design Manager plays a critical role in translating design strategy into impactful, consumer-centered creative solutions that elevate brand performance.

What You Will Do…

• Lead the execution of design initiatives across assigned brands and categories, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, visual standards, and business objectives.
• Manage, mentor, and develop designers by providing clear direction, constructive feedback, and ongoing performance coaching.
• Translate design strategies into actionable briefs, timelines, workflows, and deliverables.
• Partner cross-functionally with Brand, Marketing, Innovation, Operations, and other key stakeholders to deliver effective design solutions on schedule and within budget.
• Provide day-to-day direction and oversight to external agencies, production partners, and vendors.
• Review, evaluate, and approve creative work to ensure quality, accuracy, consistency, and adherence to brand standards.
• Oversee production and pre-press activities, ensuring flawless execution from concept through final delivery.
• Support budget management, production planning, and operational processes related to design projects.
• Identify, recommend, and implement opportunities to improve workflows, tools, processes, and team efficiency.
• Ensure all design assets and deliverables meet regulatory requirements, production specifications, and organizational standards.

Who You Will Work With…

• Senior Design Leadership
• Brand Marketing Teams
• Innovation & Product Development Teams
• Operations & Manufacturing Partners
• External Design Agencies
• Production and Pre-Press Vendors
• Photography and Creative Production Partners
• Cross-functional stakeholders throughout the organization

What You Bring To The Table… (must Have)

• 7+ years of experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) design, with food industry experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing design teams and leading creative projects from concept through execution.
• Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Visual Communications, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and strong design concept development and execution capabilities.
• Proven leadership skills with experience guiding teams, managing projects, and influencing stakeholders.
• Exceptional visual storytelling abilities with a strong understanding of brand-building principles.
• Strong communication, presentation, and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Deep knowledge of graphic design principles, art production, photography, packaging design, and production processes.
• Strong understanding of packaging regulations and requirements within the CPG industry.
• Working knowledge of typography, photography, print production, proofing, color management, and color separations.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams to solve complex business challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAVE… (NICE TO HAVE)

• Experience within the food and beverage industry.
• Experience working with nationally recognized consumer brands.
• Knowledge of packaging asset management systems and digital workflow tools.
• Experience leading external agency relationships and creative vendor partnerships.
• Exposure to innovation, product launch, and commercialization processes.
• Experience managing production budgets and forecasting project costs.
• Familiarity with sustainability-focused packaging initiatives and emerging packaging trends.
• Experience working in a highly matrixed or global organization.
• Knowledge of consumer insights and their application to packaging and design strategy.

Compensation And Benefits

The target base salary range for this full-time, salaried position is between
$105,200-$157,800
Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. Total pay may include other forms of compensation. In addition, we offer competitive health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment. Please ask your Talent Acquisition Partner for more information about our total rewards package.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and qualified applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, including consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law.