Adaptive Design Manager

TOPPAN Packaging Americas specializes in designing and manufacturing sustainable, high-performance flexible and thermoformed packaging solutions for the food, beverage, medical and consumer goods industries.  We offer products like transparent high barrier films, pouches, clamshells and trays, utilizing advanced technology to enhance product safety, visibility and environmental sustainability. 

TOPPAN Packaging Americas operates as part of the global TOPPAN group, with 22 manufacturing facilities across North America, Latin America and Europe. 

Want to learn more?  Visit us at packaging.toppan.com

Summary Description:

The Adaptive Art Manager understands that great adaptive design is more than applying a master design to another SKU. This role is responsible for interpreting the intent behind the master design and ensuring that intent is maintained as the system expands across different products, formats, sizes, claims, regulatory requirements and markets.

This person brings together strong design sensibility, technical packaging knowledge and an exceptional eye for detail. They will lead adaptive designers, establish the standards for how a design system is implemented, and work closely with Creative, Client Engagement, Artwork and Production teams to ensure every execution feels intentional, consistent and true to the brand.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the adaptation of approved master designs across multiple SKUs, product variants, pack formats and portfolio architectures.
• Interpret master design intent and establish clear principles for how the design system should flex across the portfolio.
• Protect brand equity throughout adaptation, ensuring key visual assets, hierarchy, typography, color, imagery and distinctive brand elements remain consistent.
• Make informed design decisions when individual SKUs or formats require solutions not explicitly addressed within the master design.
• Balance design integrity with regulatory, legal, structural, technical and production requirements.
• Identify potential design-system challenges early and recommend solutions that can work consistently across the broader portfolio.
• Provide creative direction, review and quality oversight for adaptive designers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure adaptive work maintains the craft and design sensibility of the original concept rather than becoming a mechanical execution exercise.
• Partner closely with the Creative Director and originating design team to understand the strategic and creative thinking behind the master design.
• Collaborate with Client Engagement, Artwork, Production and other Trident teams to ensure a smooth transition from creative design through final production.
• Review work against approved brand guidelines, design principles, packaging architecture and client-specific requirements.
• Participate in client conversations and confidently explain adaptive design decisions, system recommendations and portfolio considerations.
• Manage multiple projects and portfolios while maintaining quality, consistency and delivery expectations.
• Support the development, coaching and training of adaptive designers and help establish best practices for adaptive design across Grit & Pearl.
• Play an active role in Grit & Pearl and Trident quality control protocols.

This is a HYBRID position located out of our Cincinnati Office

We’d love to hear from you if:

Design Leadership
Brings a strong design eye to adaptive work and understands how to maintain the creative intent and quality of a master design across an entire portfolio.

Systems Thinking
Understands that packaging portfolios are interconnected systems. Able to anticipate how a decision made on one SKU or format may affect dozens of others.

Brand Stewardship
Recognizes the distinctive assets and design principles that create brand equity and protects them throughout adaptation.

Packaging Expertise
Understands the realities of CPG packaging, including regulatory requirements, structural differences, print considerations, production constraints and artwork processes.

Problem Solving
Comfortable making thoughtful design decisions when the master design does not provide an obvious answer. Knows when to solve within the system and when an issue requires creative or client escalation.

Quality
Sets a high standard for accuracy, consistency and craft while ensuring adaptive work retains the sensibility of the original creative idea.

Leadership & Coaching
Able to lead, develop and inspire designers while providing clear, constructive and actionable creative direction.

Education Required:

Associates, foundation degree within the Graphic Arts

Education Preferred:

Design, Digital Design, Communication Design or similar field focused on creative communication and/or visual arts.

Experience:

5+ years industry experience in packaging and direct customer engagement/consultation

At TOPPAN Packaging Americas, We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support our employees’ overall wellbeing. This includes competitive pay, robust benefits, and programs that help you thrive both personally and professionally. Specific benefits and wellbeing programs may vary based on your work location, employment classification, or collective bargaining agreement.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee-paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to providing a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to contribute to their fullest potential. We also provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment processes. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.