Private Label Packaging Graphic Designer

Private Label Packaging Graphic Designer
Location: Appleton, WI
Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite, Monday–Friday
Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Fleet Farm Corporate Office – 2401 S Memorial Dr, Appleton, WI

Important Qualifications
This is a packaging-specific graphic design position. Candidates must have 3+ years of professional experience designing consumer product packaging. A degree in graphic design or packaging design without professional packaging design experience does not meet the minimum qualification.
A portfolio showcasing professional consumer product packaging design is required. Portfolio examples should demonstrate packaging systems, typography, branding, layout, production-ready artwork, and projects developed from concept through production.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and experience with 3D design or packaging software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, ArtiosCAD, or similar is highly important to success in this role.

This position is fully onsite Monday through Friday at Fleet Farm's Corporate Office in Appleton, Wisconsin. This position is not eligible for remote or hybrid work.

About the Role
The Private Label Packaging Graphic Designer plays a key role in bringing Fleet Farm's exclusive brands to life through thoughtful, consumer-focused packaging design.
This is a hands-on packaging design role focused specifically on consumer product packaging, private label brands, production-ready artwork, and bringing products from concept through final production.
You'll transform product concepts and specifications into compelling packaging that communicates value, tells a consistent brand story, and creates a strong shelf presence across multiple product categories.

Working closely with Merchandising, Creative, Product Development, and supplier partners, you'll develop packaging systems, brand standards, templates, and production-ready artwork that support new product launches while ensuring consistency, quality, and speed to market.

From initial concept through production, you'll help shape the visual identity of Fleet Farm's growing portfolio of private label brands.

What You'll Do
Packaging Design & Brand Development

Develop and execute innovative packaging designs for Fleet Farm's private label brands, including labels, cartons, boxes, apparel tags, inserts, and other packaging components.
Translate product concepts, specifications, and brand requirements into compelling consumer packaging.
Create cohesive visual brand systems that ensure consistency across product categories.
Develop and maintain private label brand standards, packaging templates, dielines, and production guidelines.
Create 2D and 3D mockups, prototypes, and renderings to communicate packaging concepts and support decision-making.
Apply strong typography, layout, color, hierarchy, and branding principles to create packaging that stands out in a retail environment.

Production & Prepress

Prepare production-ready artwork, including dielines, color specifications, proofs, and print files.
Ensure artwork meets vendor, printer, and manufacturing requirements.
Apply knowledge of commercial printing, prepress, color management, substrates, and production techniques.
Review proofs and production samples and identify potential issues before final production.
Ensure packaging is accurate, consistent, and ready for production.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Collaborate with Merchandising, Creative, Product Development, and supplier partners to bring products from concept through shelf-ready execution.
Work with vendors and print partners to resolve production issues and ensure design intent is maintained.
Receive feedback, make revisions, and communicate design decisions effectively.
Manage multiple packaging projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced retail environment.

Research & Continuous Improvement

Conduct competitive research and evaluate packaging trends, consumer preferences, and retail merchandising strategies.
Identify opportunities to improve packaging design, processes, templates, and workflows.
Help streamline packaging development and improve consistency and speed to market.
Stay current with packaging design trends, materials, printing processes, and emerging design technologies.

Supporting Design & Product Launches

Retouch and prepare product photography and supporting imagery for packaging and related product launch materials.
Maintain organized digital assets, version control, packaging files, and production documentation.
Support additional packaging and product launch initiatives as assigned.

What You'll Bring
Required Experience

Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Industrial Design, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
3+ years of professional experience designing consumer product packaging.
Professional packaging design experience is required; education alone does not substitute for hands-on packaging design experience.
A portfolio showcasing professional consumer product packaging is required.
Portfolio must demonstrate experience with packaging systems, typography, branding, layout, production-ready artwork, and projects taken from concept through production.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Experience with 3D design or packaging software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, ArtiosCAD, or similar.
Experience preparing artwork for commercial printing, including dielines, prepress, color management, proofs, and production specifications.
Strong understanding of packaging materials, printing processes, and manufacturing requirements.
Strong understanding of typography, layout, branding, color theory, packaging hierarchy, and consumer purchasing behavior.
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to balance creative design with production requirements.
Strong project management, organization, and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, external vendors, and print partners.
Ability to work fully onsite Monday through Friday at Fleet Farm's Corporate Office in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Preferred Experience

Private label packaging experience.
Retail or consumer products experience.
Experience designing packaging across multiple product categories.
Experience developing or maintaining brand standards and packaging systems.
Experience with structural packaging design, dielines, or packaging prototypes.
Experience working directly with printers, manufacturers, and packaging suppliers.
Experience with product photography and image retouching.

Portfolio Requirement
A portfolio is required for consideration.
Your portfolio should include examples of professional consumer product packaging design and demonstrate your ability to take packaging projects from concept through production.
We are particularly interested in seeing:

Consumer product packaging
Private label or retail packaging
Packaging systems
Brand identity applied to packaging
Typography and packaging hierarchy
Dielines and production-ready artwork
2D/3D packaging mockups or renderings
Work demonstrating collaboration with vendors or production partners

Please include a portfolio link with your application.
Why Join Fleet Farm?
At Fleet Farm, you'll have the opportunity to help shape the future of our growing portfolio of private label brands. Your work will directly influence how customers experience our exclusive products—from the first impression on the shelf to the overall brand experience.
You'll collaborate with Merchandising, Creative, Product Development, and supplier partners while working on a wide variety of products across multiple categories.
This is an opportunity to make a visible impact on Fleet Farm's private label business while expanding your experience across packaging design, branding, retail, product development, and production.

If you're passionate about consumer packaging and enjoy taking a design from concept to shelf, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply Today
If you have professional consumer product packaging experience, a strong packaging portfolio, and the technical skills to create production-ready artwork, we encourage you to apply.
Please note: General graphic design experience without professional consumer product packaging experience will not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Fleet Farm is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and gives all applicants for employment equal consideration regardless of race, color, sex, gender, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, military or veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Fleet Farm will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who need an accommodation to fully participate in the application process.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.