Senior Packaging Designer

Job Summary:

Leads early packaging design ideation and prototyping for highly strategic packaging initiatives. Brings product/package concepts to life through partnership with cross-functional teams, rapidly developing and refining physical and virtual prototypes. Supports & facilitates internal innovation sessions.Leads brand new Chicago packaging design lab (SHOP) operations, including prototype prioritization & scheduling. Leads assigned SHOP upkeep & maintenance, responsible for some prototyping equipment. Investigates and recommends capability expansions & upgrades, process improvements, and ways to broaden the reach of the SHOP.

Position Responsibilities:

• Leads early packaging design ideation on strategic growth initiatives. 
• Ideates, prototypes, and brings to life packaging strategy to present out to key internal stakeholders. 
• Engages on cross-functional teams on early packaging research, takes key insights to action into design solutions. 
• Quickly translate in-house requests into highly creative packaging prototypes, including new packaging formats, graphics and/or branding. 
• Create 3D models of packaging to be used in virtual store environments, e-commerce, and presentations.
•  Lead SHOP operations, including prioritization and scheduling of prototyping. Act as SHOP contact point for internal customers. 
• Lead SHOP upkeep & maintenance, directly responsible for prototyping equipment. 
• Identify and evaluate SHOP capability expansions, pitch to Packaging RQI leadership. 
• Maintain close partnership with internal and external Brand Design partners. 
• Support and facilitate internal innovation sessions with creative thinking and rapid sketching/prototyping output. 
• Remain current on industry standards, trends and remain up to date on design skills and software. 
• Maintain close partnership with Omaha-based MINE design team. 
• Bring design perspective and inspiration to Packaging RQI org.

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, industrial design, or another related field required. 
• 5-10 years of graphic design experience required. Agency and/or packaging design experience preferred. Technical packaging experience preferred. 
• Well organized. Able to work with internal customers to prioritize multiple competing projects. 
• Able to balance multiple projects simultaneously. Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills 
• Able to create superior, original designs, consistently maintaining a high design standard. Able to take constructive criticism and implement creative direction. 
• A team oriented individual with a positive attitude. Open to change and evolving responsibilities. Capable of working autonomously with results, and/or as a collaborator within the fast-paced Packaging Strategyteam. 
• Able to lead ideation sessions and inspire creative thinking within a cross-functional team. 
• Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite products including Photoshop and Illustrator. Knowledge of 3D visualization software (Esko, Maya, Key shot) highly desirable. 
• Knowledge of 2D and 3D CAD (AutoCAD, ArtiosCAD, SolidWorks) a plus. Video editing skills a plus. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products (PowerPoint and Word). 
• Ability to travel up to 15% of the time. Must be able to travel independently and as a responsible Conagra representative.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis