Retail Product Designer / Product Developer – Children’s Products

Minneapolis-based onsite role for a designer/developer focused on children’s mass-market retail products, from concept through prepress and final production.
Develop original product concepts, artwork, and designs for children’s seasonal and everyday printed goods, including stickers, activity products, paper novelties, promotional products, and related consumer items
Research children’s trends across themes, colors, graphics, characters, illustration styles, activities, and popular retail categories
Create age-appropriate designs that align with customer specifications and market expectations for multiple age groups
Build coordinated assortments for mass-market retail, including themed collections, seasonal programs, and complementary product lines
Produce production-ready art using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop (artwork, illustrations, graphics, layouts, and files)
Design packaging and merchandising including retail packaging, labels, inserts, displays, and merchandising concepts to improve shelf appeal
Align with commercial requirements across customer needs, target retail price points, brand guidelines, and established product specifications
Prepare prepress files with accurate file setup, color specifications, typography, image placement, dielines, and other requirements for commercial printing and packaging
Manage the artwork lifecycle through prepress and production by reviewing proofs and making revisions for accuracy and print readiness
Collaborate on manufacturability with Production and printing/packaging teams to evaluate feasibility, materials, printing methods, finishing processes, and manufacturing needs
Optimize for cost and margin by modifying designs, materials, specifications, and production methods to meet cost targets and improve manufacturability
Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Project Management, Production, Purchasing, outside vendors, and company leadership to meet sales objectives and market opportunities
Interpret project documentation including customer briefs, reference materials, product specifications, and artwork requirements
Run multiple projects concurrently by prioritizing assignments and meeting development, artwork, approval, and production deadlines
Verify quality pre-production by reviewing product samples, proofs, prototypes, and production samples for accuracy, color consistency, and adherence to approved specifications
Maintain organized documentation for artwork files, product information, design assets, specifications, and supporting materials within company systems
Coordinate with external partners when applicable, including overseas manufacturers, sourcing partners, and outside vendors for development, sampling, and production
Improve product design outcomes by identifying opportunities to reduce complexity, optimize material usage, and enhance quality and retail appeal
Stay current on printing technologies, packaging innovations, materials, manufacturing capabilities, and industry best practices
Support continuous improvement related to design/development processes, artwork management, production efficiency, and quality
Maintain confidentiality for customer information, proprietary artwork, product concepts, pricing, and company business information
Follow quality and compliance standards including customer requirements, product specifications, work instructions, and applicable product safety requirements
Consider compliance during design for age appropriateness, product functionality, labeling, warnings, and applicable product safety requirements
Address regulatory needs by coordinating internal departments and external partners for regulatory, labeling, material, and product compliance requirements
Escalate issues promptly by communicating design errors, quality concerns, specification discrepancies, or potential compliance issues to the right personnel
Support corrective actions related to product quality, safety, and customer satisfaction
Additional duties as assigned by the VP of Sales for Mello Smello to support product development, creative operations, customer requirements, and business objectives
Requirements Education: Associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, Product Design, Illustration, Visual Communications, or a related field (equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered)
Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in graphic design, retail product design, product development, packaging design, or a related field (strongly preferred experience designing children’s products for mass-market retail)
Software: advanced proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop (required)
Preferred: experience with imported products, overseas sourcing, international vendors, or global manufacturing partners
Portfolio: strong portfolio demonstrating children’s product design, illustration, graphic design, packaging, printed products, or related consumer products
Design foundations: strong understanding of typography, color theory, composition, layout, illustration, and visual communication
Printed product experience: experience developing printed products such as stickers, activity products, paper novelties, promotional items, or similar consumer products
Retail programs: experience developing seasonal and everyday product programs for mass-market retailers
Production readiness: ability to prepare accurate, production-ready artwork and understand file preparation requirements for commercial printing and packaging
Technical interpretation: ability to interpret design briefs, customer specifications, dielines, technical information, and production requirements
Manufacturing knowledge: understanding of materials, printing methods, finishing processes, and manufacturing constraints
Balance constraints: ability to balance creative design objectives with production feasibility, target costs, retail pricing, and profitability
Children’s focus: strong understanding of children’s trends, themes, visual preferences, and age-appropriate product development
Plus: illustration, character development, cartooning, or hand-drawing skills
Tools: working proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use applicable project management, artwork management, and ERP systems
Detail orientation: exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in design and production files
Execution: strong organizational and time-management skills to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines
Communication: strong written and verbal communication skills; able to collaborate across departments and utilize to communicate with other languages
Working style: ability to work independently with limited supervision and contribute effectively as part of a team
Personal qualities: reliability, positive attitude, strong work ethic, flexibility, and commitment to quality
Learning: willingness to learn new software, systems, design techniques, manufacturing processes, and industry practices
Onsite attendance: regular and dependable attendance onsite is an essential function
Physical requirements: prolonged sitting and computer work; occasional walking through manufacturing/production areas if needed; safe navigation of manufacturing environment on occasion; occasional lifting/movement of product samples, prototypes, documents, or materials as required
Work setting: ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Adaptability: ability to adapt to changing customer needs, project priorities, product trends, and production requirements
Other duties: willingness to perform other related duties as assigned by the VP of MelloSmello Sales to support operational and business needs
Technologies Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office
Benefits 401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Life insurance
Relocation assistance
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
Compensation $95,000 - $125,000 per year
Work Location Minneapolis, MN (onsite)
Work location noted as hybrid remote in Minneapolis, MN 55430

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