Structural Design Lead

Physical Location:

Thorofare, NJ 

The Job You Will Perform:

• The Retail Display Structural Design Lead is responsible for overall development of award-winning, visually compelling packaging and point-of-purchase displays as well as redesign of items for optimized visual impact and retail sales performance.
• The Structural Design Lead provides leadership regarding creative design and technical support to the Design, Sales, Project Management, and Production departments and facilities within our Retail Packaging & Display business as well as to International Paper clients, contractors, alliance partners and suppliers.
• Provides creative direction in designing graphic and structural components of point-of-purchase displays and specialty packaging. 
• Establishes standards for design efficiency/throughput and tracks results. Ensures completion of design work “at the speed of retail.” 
• Provides creative input and leadership during development phase; translates ideas into creative merchandising solutions.
• Develops and explains designs and concepts to customers, account managers, and design team.
• Participates in or makes customer calls relative to design development and presentations. 
• Receives projects from Creative Design Manager, customer and/or sales team and communicates design concepts and requirements to team. 
• Formulate and communicate ideas for new and/or improved designs by analyzing customer needs and production feasibility.
• Be knowledgeable of production machine capabilities in order to assist in the development of design specs.

The Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge You Will Bring:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Packaging, or Industrial Design or related field strongly preferred; excellent portfolio and a minimum of 10 years point-of-purchase design experience required. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the entire design process from concept, prototype, through production. 
• Knowledge of the packaging design, corrugated, or alternative materials and experience in point-of-purchase industry (display, retail packaging, consumer products).
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to adequately explain unique designs and concepts to customers, account managers, and clients; ability to negotiate graphic and structural design concepts with clients. 
• Knowledge of Retailer guidelines, consumer product company product lines and display requirements. 
• Knowledge of flexographic, digital, or offset printing as well as manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of ISTA/Sample testing, criteria and requirements. 
• Thorough knowledge of Illustrator, PhotoShop, or other graphic design software; Artios/CAD applications; and strong PC skills; thorough knowledge of Form Z, Solid Works, Strata, or other 3-D modeling software required.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills. Able to remain flexible and adapt to the situation and provide leadership. Must be team-oriented, organized, detailed, able to handle pressure/stress, and work overtime or irregular hours as needed to meet client needs. 
• Must be willing and able to work in a team environment where collaboration is required both departmentally and interdepartmentally.  Interact with sales team, structural designers, project managers, art director, and/or the client to understand creative requirements and then translate the idea into creative merchandizing solutions.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES

• • Structural Engineering
  • Customer Focus           
  • Action Oriented
  • Functional/technical skills
  • Learning on the fly