Graphics Manager

Castelli Cycling; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Castelli Cycling seeks an experienced Graphics Manager to lead the creative and production design for our Custom Apparel business in the United States. Based in Carlsbad, CA, you will manage two in-house Graphic Designers and oversee three designers at our custom factory, ensuring artwork meets Castelli standards and production requirements across the country.

You will provide creative direction, collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, and Product teams, and drive workflow efficiency while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of graphic design experience, preferably within apparel, sports, or custom product industries.
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing creative teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong understanding of production artwork preparation, color management, and print-ready file creation.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of two Graphic Designers.
• Lead 2 teams of Production Artists at two factories.
• Manage project assignments, workload balancing, and production schedules to ensure timely delivery of customer projects.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance creative environment focused on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching, and professional development planning.

Skills

Graphic design

Team leadership

Adobe Creative Suite

Production artwork

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in graphic design

Tools

Illustrator

Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

Position Summary

Castelli is seeking an experienced and highly organized Graphics Manager to lead the creative and production design efforts for our growing Custom Apparel business in the United States. Based in Carlsbad, California, this role will manage a team of two in-house Graphic Designers and oversee the creation, execution, and delivery of custom apparel artwork for teams, clubs, events, and athletes across the country, in addition to graphic needs of marketing department. Additionally, position will oversee 3 designers at our custom factory focusing on grading and production prep.

The ideal candidate combines strong design leadership with exceptional attention to detail and production expertise. This individual will ensure all artwork meets Castelli brand standards, customer expectations, and factory production requirements while maintaining efficient workflow and turnaround times.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of two Graphic Designers.
• Lead 2 teams of Production Artists at two factories.
• Manage project assignments, workload balancing, and production schedules to ensure timely delivery of customer projects.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance creative environment focused on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching, and professional development planning.

Design & Creative Oversight

• Oversee the creation of custom cycling apparel designs for teams, clubs, events, retailers, and individual athletes throughout the United States.
• Review and approve artwork concepts, revisions, and final designs to ensure consistency with customer requirements and Castelli quality standards.
• Provide creative direction and guidance throughout the design process.
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, and Product teams to translate customer needs into compelling apparel designs.
• Collaborate with Sales and Development managers to develop new custom styles for US market and associated factories, ensuring production capabilities and developing graphic designs for fit kits.

Production & Technical Execution

• Ensure all artwork files are accurate, complete, and production-ready prior to submission to manufacturing partners.
• Maintain expertise in apparel decoration techniques, sublimation printing requirements, color management, and garment template specifications.
• Maintain and enforce quality-control procedures for artwork preparation and file management.
• Work closely with factory partners to resolve technical artwork questions and production issues.
• Continuously improve workflows, templates, and processes to increase efficiency and reduce errors.
• Collaborate with Development on creation of new styles, oversee new template creation, ensuring the efficiencies built into the system remain with with all new styles.

Customer & Business Support

• Track and manage department productivity, including accuracy and any issues resulting in rebuilds.
• Support key customer presentations and design consultations when required.
• Serve as a technical design resource for internal teams and customers.
• Help maintain customer satisfaction through communication and exceptional design execution.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that support the continued growth of the Castelli Custom business.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of graphic design experience, preferably within apparel, sports, or custom product industries.
• 2+ years of experience leading or managing creative teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Strong understanding of production artwork preparation, color management, and print-ready file creation.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience in cycling, endurance sports, or performance apparel industries.
• Knowledge of sublimation printing processes and custom apparel manufacturing.
• Familiarity with team sports, club programs, and athlete-focused product customization.
• Passion for cycling and an understanding of cycling culture.

Success in This Role

The successful Graphics Manager will:

• Deliver high-quality custom apparel designs that exceed customer expectations.
• Build and develop a high-performing design team.
• Ensure all artwork reaches the factory accurately and on schedule.
• Improve workflow efficiency and production readiness across the custom business.
• Contribute to the continued growth and reputation of Castelli Custom in the U.S. market.

Why Join Castelli?

• Work for one of the most iconic and innovative brands in cycling.
• Help shape the visual identity of teams and athletes across the country.
• Collaborate with passionate cyclists, designers, and industry professionals.

About Castelli Cycling

For the past 150 years, Castelli has been at the forefront of innovation in cycling apparel. The Castelli Custom business in the United States provides premium, fully customized cycling apparel for clubs, teams, events, retailers, corporate partners, and athletes nationwide. Our custom program combines world-class product performance with unique, athlete-inspired designs allowing teams to look and perform at their best.