Manager, Creative

• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

The Creative Manager is responsible for defining and delivering a cohesive, compelling creative vision across a multi-brand portfolio, ensuring all brand touchpoints for KEHE’s CADIA (www.mycadia.com) and Wild Oats (wildoats.com) brands—from packaging and product branding to trade shows, sales materials, and experiential marketing—are on strategy, on brand, and driving commercial results. This role serves as the steward of brand standards and creative quality, translating business objectives into impactful storytelling and design while leading a high-performing creative team and external partners. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Creative Leadership & Brand Stewardship

• Define and drive the overall creative vision across all brand touchpoints, including packaging, digital, print, retail, trade shows, and experiential.
• Translate business objectives into compelling brand storytelling and high-impact creative strategies.
• Ensure visual and messaging consistency across a multi-brand portfolio.
• Present creative strategies, campaigns, and performance insights to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Serve as the guardian of brand standards and creative quality.

Packaging & Product Branding

• Oversee packaging design and development for Exclusive Brands, from concept through production.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Operations, Sales, and Marketing to deliver packaging that drives both consumer appeal and commercial success.

Trade Shows & Experiential

• Lead creative strategy and execution for major trade shows and events (approximately two large-scale events annually).
• Ensure immersive, memorable brand experiences that drive engagement and business outcomes.
• Oversee booth design, environmental graphics, collateral, and on-site experience.

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small internal creative team.
• Manage relationships with agencies, freelancers, photographers, printers, and production partners.

Sales Enablement & Commercial Support

• Partner closely with Sales and Marketing teams to develop compelling materials that support retailer presentations, line reviews, and new item sell-in.
• Lead the creative development of sales assets including sell sheets, pitch decks, product launch materials, digital catalogs, and customer-facing presentations.

Innovation & Market Awareness

• Stay ahead of trends in design, consumer behavior, retail, and the natural/organic food space.
• Introduce new tools, technologies, and creative approaches to elevate brand impact.
• Bring fresh thinking to how private-label brands can differentiate in a competitive landscape.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to set direction and guide creative work that supports brand goals and business priorities.
• Working knowledge of design and production processes across multiple channels, including packaging, print, and digital.
• Ability to plan and execute creative initiatives that deliver engaging and effective brand experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop team members and manage external partners.
• Strong ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners to support shared business objectives.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, balance priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of how creative work supports sales, marketing, and customer-facing efforts.
• Ability to stay informed on industry trends and apply new ideas to improve brand impact.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field
• 5+ years of progressive experience, including 1+ years in a leadership role

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (seated or standing) for extended periods.
• Ability to operate a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to view a computer screen for long periods.
• Ability to move about the office occasionally to access files, equipment, or attend meetings.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally (e.g., office files, laptop, small office equipment).