Associate Director, Design

Job Title: Associate Director, DesignLocation: 100% RemoteSalary Range: $80-$90IntroductionThis team operates as a small, in-house creative agency, requiring a leader with a strong creative eye and the ability to guide and elevate design work across projects. The role involves managing and mentoring the team while fostering a collaborative, flexible environment. Success in this role depends on strong charisma, the ability to build trust across partners, and a leadership style that aligns well with the culture and values of the organization.We are seeking a visionary leader to elevate the creative vision for our Distinctive Brands portfolio (Rao's, Michael Angelo's, Pacific Foods). This role will be instrumental in shaping brand identity, driving packaging innovation, and ensuring flawless execution across multiple touchpoints. The ideal candidate will bring strategic design leadership, expertise in commercialization, and a passion for design excellence, delivering outstanding consumer experiences in a competitive marketplace.Required Skills & QualificationsBachelor's degree in Design10 years of deep brand design experience, with a strong focus on packaging design.Proven ability to balance design strategy with flawless execution.Inspiring and effective leadership, with a track record of managing high-performing design teams.Expertise in crafting brand and design strategies and developing visual guidelines that drive consistency and impact.Experience in building and executing efficient design processes that enable exceptional creative outcomes.A passionate design advocate with an extraordinary eye for detail and aesthetics.A diverse portfolio showcasing expertise in branding and package designStrong ability to influence senior leadership and cross-functional business partners to champion design-led thinking.Experience in Client brand design, with an understanding of industry-specific challenges and opportunities.Prior work experience at client or in client's IndustryPreferred Skills & QualificationsDesign or Creative agency backgroundDay-to-Day ResponsibilitiesLead & Inspire: Manage and mentor a team of designers and a project manager, fostering growth, innovation, and design excellence.Strategic Design Leadership: Shape the creative direction for Distinctive Brands, ensuring brand differentiation and relevance in the market.Brand & Packaging Innovation: Oversee the development of breakthrough packaging design and visual identity systems that enhance brand perception and consumer engagement.Commercialization & Execution: Actively participate in commercialization meetings, guiding design implementation to ensure flawless execution from concept to shelf.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing, Innovation, R&D, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless brand storytelling and product launches.Agency & Vendor Management: Direct and collaborate with external design agencies, ensuring best-in-class creative execution and efficiency.Consumer-Centered Thinking: Utilize research and insights to create compelling design solutions that elevate the consumer experience.Process & Workflow Optimization: Establish and refine design workflows, enabling efficiency without compromising creative excellence.Company Benefits & CultureFostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and high performance.Bridging creative strategy with execution, ensuring designs inspire and drive business impact.For immediate consideration please click APPLY to begin the screening process with Alex.