Manager, Industrial Design at The J. M. Smucker Company in Akron, Ohio

Job Description:

TITLE

Manager, Industrial Design

LOCATION

Orrville, OH (Close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)

Flexible work arrangements available

REPORTS TO

Director, Creative Services

POSITION SUMMARY

The Industrial Designer is responsible for partnering closely with Design Managers, Innovation, R&D Packaging Development, Growth Insights and external agencies to build increased continuity between graphic and structural design. This role works upstream in the Innovation process, supporting the ideation of new forms and products and the overall translation of human centric design. Responsibilities include rapid 3D prototyping, sketching, concept rendering, and active participation/iteration in consumer research. This role supports all strategic business areas, leveraging Design Thinking, problem solving skills and storytelling to create compelling ideas and continuously refine based on consumer input, technical feasibility and understanding of our brands visual identity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Provide overall design leadership in the upstream Discovery process, partnering closely with R&D/packaging development, Innovation, Sr. Design Managers, Growth Insights and outside agencies.

* Develop protocepts (3D and 2D) for internal evaluation and stimulus for consumer learning; participate in qualitative research and internal ideation sessions where ongoing iteration is required

* Provide ongoing support across Coffee, Consumer & Pet Innovation and Packaging Development teams in idea creation, sketching, and rapid prototyping.

* Facilitate design reviews, bringing together key internal stakeholders to evaluate concepts and design territories; flow to work on broader graphic design projects as needed

* Evaluate and recommend tools and technology that enhance team s overall agility in the end to end design process

* Flow to work, supporting package design initiatives with external partners as needed

SELECTION CRITERIA

* BA/BS in Industrial Design preferred

* 10+ years industrial design management experience

* Experience leading industrial design projects for National or Global brands

* PC and MAC proficient with Microsoft Office; working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, and 3D packaging tools/technologies

* Agency experience preferred

Other

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

* Self-starter with proven ability to multi-task

* Ability to work with people at all levels within/outside JMS

* Excellent communication skills

* Drawing skills and ability to storytell through Design

* Critical thinker, problem solver, idea builder

* Excellent presentation skills

* Experience in CPG project management

* Willingness to travel

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The J. M. Smucker Company (the Company ) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

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