Senior Designer

Opportunity Profile

Location: Greater Chicago Area

Position Title: Senior Structural Packaging Designer

The Opportunity:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Structural Packaging Designer to play a critical role in the continued growth and evolution of our design department. This is an opportunity for a seasoned corrugated packaging professional to step into a highly visible position where their knowledge, creativity, and technical expertise will directly influence customer success, manufacturing efficiency, and the future development of the company's design capabilities.

The successful candidate will join an organization that has built its reputation on responsiveness, technical problem-solving, and exceptional customer service. Unlike larger integrated packaging companies where designers often become highly specialized and removed from the finished product, this role offers direct involvement throughout the entire packaging lifecycle. From concept development and customer interaction to prototyping, production support, and manufacturing collaboration, the designer will have a meaningful impact on both customer outcomes and company performance.

This position also presents a unique opportunity to mentor and collaborate with an emerging designer who has developed within the organization and is eager to continue expanding her knowledge under the guidance of an experienced packaging professional. The successful candidate will not only contribute technical expertise but will help strengthen and elevate the design function for years to come.

Working closely with sales, customer service, manufacturing leadership, and company ownership, the Senior Structural Packaging Designer will help develop innovative packaging solutions for major food manufacturers and other well-known brands. The role offers substantial autonomy, direct access to decision-makers, and the opportunity to see ideas move quickly from concept to production. For someone who enjoys making a visible impact and being closely connected to both customers and the manufacturing process, this position offers an exceptional platform for professional fulfillment and long-term success.

The Company:
Our organization is a privately held, family-owned corrugated packaging manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for quality, responsiveness, technical expertise, and customer-focused innovation. Operating from a modern facility in the Greater Chicago Area, the company serves a diverse customer base that includes major food manufacturers and consumer products companies throughout the region.

The organization employs approximately 70 manufacturing employees across two shifts, supported by a collaborative office staff that works closely together to deliver exceptional service and packaging solutions. The company specializes in custom corrugated packaging, including brown box packaging, die-cut products, displays, and specialty glued solutions.

What separates the company from many competitors is its ability to move quickly, solve problems efficiently, and provide a level of responsiveness often unavailable from larger packaging organizations. The company continues to invest in new equipment, manufacturing capabilities, and talent while maintaining the flexibility and accessibility that have fueled its growth and success.

Employees benefit from a culture that combines the stability of an established business with the agility of an independent organization. Decisions are made quickly, collaboration is encouraged, and individuals have the opportunity to contribute directly to customer success and company performance.

The Boss:
The successful candidate will work closely with second-generation company leadership that has spent more than a decade helping drive the business forward. His responsibilities span sales leadership, team development, customer relationships, and strategic growth initiatives, giving him a broad perspective on both customer needs and organizational objectives.

Leadership is highly accessible, collaborative, and supportive. Employees are trusted to take ownership of their responsibilities and are encouraged to contribute ideas that improve customer outcomes, operational performance, and overall business success. The organization values expertise, initiative, and teamwork rather than micromanagement.

This role will also provide significant interaction with company ownership and senior leadership, creating opportunities to influence decisions, support future growth initiatives, and make a lasting impact within the business.

The Position:
The Senior Structural Packaging Designer will be responsible for designing innovative corrugated packaging solutions that meet customer requirements while optimizing manufacturability, performance, and cost efficiency. This individual will work extensively with sales, manufacturing, customer service, and plant leadership to develop packaging concepts from initial design through production.

The position requires a hands-on professional who is equally comfortable designing in ArtiosCAD, creating prototypes, collaborating with manufacturing personnel, supporting customer needs, and solving complex packaging challenges. The designer will serve as a technical resource for both customers and internal teams while helping expand and strengthen the company's design capabilities.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Design corrugated packaging solutions using ArtiosCAD.
• Develop production-ready packaging specifications and layouts.
• Design regular slotted containers, die-cut products, displays, and specialty glued packaging.
• Create prototypes and customer samples.
• Collaborate with sales teams on packaging development initiatives and customer presentations.
• Work closely with plant leadership to optimize designs for manufacturing efficiency.
• Support troubleshooting efforts related to packaging performance and packaging automation systems.
• Assist customers with packaging improvements, operational efficiencies, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Participate in customer visits and technical packaging discussions.
• Maintain design standards, specifications, drawings, and sample documentation.
• Mentor and support less experienced design personnel.
• Stay current on emerging packaging technologies, automation systems, and industry best practices.

Qualifications:

• Strong proficiency with ArtiosCAD.
• Extensive knowledge of corrugated structural design.
• Experience designing corrugated boxes, die-cut packaging, displays, and specialty glued products.
• Strong understanding of corrugated converting and manufacturing processes.
• Experience designing for die-cutting and folder-gluer operations.
• Ability to create physical prototypes and production-ready designs.
• Understanding of packaging performance, manufacturability, and cost optimization.
• Knowledge of packaging automation systems and customer production environments.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Packaging Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of corrugated packaging structural design experience required.
• 10+ years of corrugated packaging design experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting food, consumer goods, industrial, or other high-volume packaging customers preferred.
• Experience with customer-facing technical support and sales collaboration preferred.
• Experience mentoring junior designers preferred.
• Background working in independent and/or integrated corrugated packaging organizations preferred.

Work Environment:
This is an onsite position based in the Greater Chicago Area within a highly collaborative and interactive office environment. The successful candidate will work closely with sales, customer service, manufacturing leadership, plant management, and company ownership on a daily basis. The role combines computer-based design work with prototype development, manufacturing support, and occasional customer-facing activities.

The company offers a high degree of autonomy and ownership, allowing employees to make meaningful contributions without excessive oversight. Teamwork and communication are central to the culture, and employees have direct access to leadership and decision-makers throughout the organization. The environment is fast-paced, customer-focused, and built around responsiveness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Compensation:
The company offers a competitive compensation package that includes a strong base salary, performance-based incentive opportunities, comprehensive benefits, retirement savings options, paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth and development. The organization is committed to rewarding experienced professionals who can make a meaningful impact on customers, operations, and company performance.