Vice President - Creative

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Vice President - Creative

🔹 Company: Uline

🔹 Location: Corporate (H1) - Pleasant Prairie, WI

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Creative & Design

🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 15+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a team of over 170 creative professionals to execute content on tight deadlines with consistent brand clarity.
• Overseeing the production of marketing materials for over 40,000 B2B products across multiple channels.
• Collaborating with key business leaders to set merchandising and design direction for Uline's extensive product range.
• Managing department capital and operating budgets, including resolving issues related to production budgets.
• Making crucial creative choices in a timely manner to meet multiple deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of leadership, project management, and creative expertise to manage a large team and meet tight deadlines. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in B2B industry, catalog production, print design, and digital promotional techniques.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Direct Uline’s Creative department, leveraging in-depth industrial product knowledge, along with industry trends and standards, for all company marketing channels.

✅ Collaborate with other key business leaders to set merchandising and design direction for over 40,000 B2B products.

✅ Approve all catalog pages, direct mail, web design, art, photo and copy materials to uphold brand standards, as well as corporate employee communications.

✅ Make crucial creative choices in a timely manner to meet multiple deadlines.

✅ Manage department capital and operating budgets, including resolving issues related to production budgets.

ASSUMPTION: The responsibilities listed above are essential for the success of this role. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing creative teams and projects, with a strong background in B2B industry and print design.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.

Experience: 15+ years of B2B industry experience with extensive project management and leadership skills.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in catalog production, print design, advertising, marketing, direct-mail, and digital promotional techniques.
• Familiarity with digital asset and catalog management systems, as well as Adobe Suite.
• Strong leadership, project management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with enterprise-level creative management systems.
• Fluency in additional languages (Spanish, French, etc.).

ASSUMPTION: The required qualifications listed above are essential for success in this role. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in B2B industry, print design, and project management, with a proven track record of leading creative teams.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year (estimated based on industry standards for a VP of Creative with 15+ years of experience)

Benefits:

• Complete health insurance coverage that starts day one.
• 401(k) with 6% employer match.
• Multiple bonus programs.
• Paid holidays and generous paid time off.
• Tuition Assistance Program that covers professional continuing education.

Working Hours: Full-time, on-site position with flexible hours to meet project deadlines.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a VP of Creative with 15+ years of experience. The benefits listed above are subject to change and may vary based on the company's benefits package.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Uline operates in the wholesale industry, specializing in the distribution of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials.

Company Size: Uline is a mid-sized company with over 9,000 employees across 13 locations in North America.

Founded: Uline was founded in 1980 and is a family-owned company.

Company Description:

• Uline is North America's leading distributor of shipping, packaging, and industrial supplies.
• The company is committed to providing businesses with the highest quality, in-stock products and an exceptional customer experience.
• Uline's dedicated team of employees works together to ensure fast, reliable delivery and legendary customer service.

Company Specialties:

• Shipping supplies
• Janitorial products
• Retail products
• Material moving equipment
• Plastic bags
• Warehouse equipment
• Industrial supplies
• and Shipping boxes

Company Website: www.uline.com

ASSUMPTION: Uline's focus on quality products and exceptional customer service sets it apart in the wholesale industry. The company's extensive product range and commitment to employee development make it an attractive employer for creative professionals.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the Chief Marketing Officer or another high-level executive.

Reporting Structure: The Vice President of Creative will oversee a team of over 170 creative professionals, including art directors, graphic designers, copywriters, and production artists.

Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time position with flexible hours to meet project deadlines. The role may require occasional travel to other Uline locations or industry events.

Growth Opportunities:

• As a senior-level position, this role offers opportunities for career advancement within Uline's marketing department or other areas of the business.
• The Vice President of Creative will have the opportunity to shape the company's creative direction and make a significant impact on Uline's marketing efforts.
• This role may also provide opportunities for mentorship and leadership development, as the Vice President of Creative will be responsible for guiding and supporting the creative team.

ASSUMPTION: The Vice President of Creative role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within Uline. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong creative vision and a proven track record of leading and inspiring creative teams.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Uline's corporate headquarters is a modern, professional office environment with on-site amenities, including a café and fitness center.

Office Location(s): 12575 Uline Drive, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Geographic Context:

• Pleasant Prairie is a suburb of Kenosha, Wisconsin, located approximately 30 miles south of Milwaukee.
• The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and major transportation hubs.
• Uline's corporate headquarters is conveniently located near major highways and is approximately 15 minutes from Kenosha Regional Airport.

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is full-time, with flexible hours to meet project deadlines. The Vice President of Creative may be required to work evenings or weekends to ensure that projects are completed on time.

ASSUMPTION: Uline's corporate headquarters offers a modern, professional work environment with convenient access to amenities and transportation options. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in an on-site office environment and be willing to work flexible hours to meet project deadlines.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team to discuss the role and assess cultural fit.
• On-site interview with the hiring manager and other key stakeholders to discuss the role in more detail and assess creative vision and leadership skills.
• Creative challenge or presentation to showcase the candidate's ability to lead a creative team and make strategic decisions.
• Final interview with the Chief Marketing Officer or another high-level executive to discuss the role and make a hiring decision.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creative vision and strategic thinking
• Leadership and team management skills
• Project management and decision-making abilities
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Industry knowledge and expertise in print design and digital promotional techniques

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Include specific examples of your creative work and achievements in your portfolio or application materials.
• Prepare for the creative challenge or presentation by researching Uline's brand and products, and developing a creative concept that aligns with the company's marketing goals.
• Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and approach to managing a creative team during the interview process.

ATS Keywords: B2B industry, catalog production, print design, advertising, marketing, direct-mail, digital promotional techniques, project management, leadership, creative direction, budget management, brand standards, timely decision-making, digital asset management, Adobe Suite

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's creative vision, leadership skills, and industry expertise. The ideal candidate will have a strong portfolio of creative work and a proven track record of leading and inspiring creative teams.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)
• Digital asset management systems (e.g., Canto DAM, Adobe Experience Manager)
• Catalog management systems (e.g., Infigo, Pimcore)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience with industry-standard creative tools and digital asset management systems. Familiarity with enterprise-level creative management systems is a plus.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Integrity
• Customer Focus
• Innovation
• Teamwork
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and deadline-focused
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Strategic and forward-thinking
• Detail-oriented and quality-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment?
• Are you able to balance multiple projects and priorities effectively?
• Do you have a proven track record of leading and inspiring creative teams?
• Are you comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment?
• Do you have a strong creative vision and the ability to make strategic decisions?

ASSUMPTION: Uline values a collaborative, team-oriented work environment that prioritizes integrity, customer focus, and innovation. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong creative vision and a proven track record of leading and inspiring creative teams.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a large team of creative professionals with diverse skills and expertise.
• Meeting tight deadlines and maintaining brand consistency across multiple marketing channels.
• Balancing creative vision and strategic decision-making with budget constraints and production timelines.
• Adapting to changes in the B2B industry and staying up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies.
• Managing relationships with key stakeholders, including business leaders and other departments within Uline.

ASSUMPTION: The Vice President of Creative role presents unique challenges related to team management, project management, and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of overcoming these challenges and driving creative success in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other Vice President of Creative positions in the B2B industry, but with a larger team and a broader range of marketing channels to oversee.
• Compared to other creative leadership roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to shape the creative direction of a leading wholesale distributor with a strong brand and extensive product range.
• Career path comparison: This role is a senior-level position with opportunities for career advancement within Uline's marketing department or other areas of the business.

ASSUMPTION: The Vice President of Creative role at Uline is a unique opportunity for a creative leader with extensive experience in the B2B industry and a strong creative vision. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading and inspiring creative teams and driving marketing success in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive creative strategy for Uline's annual catalog, including product selection, layout, and design.
• Leading a team of designers and copywriters to create a cohesive brand identity for a new product line or marketing campaign.
• Managing the production of marketing materials for a major trade show or industry event, including booth design, promotional materials, and giveaways.

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed above are representative of the types of creative challenges and opportunities that the Vice President of Creative may face in this role. The ideal candidate will have experience leading creative teams and driving marketing success in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the creative department, and how can this role help address them?
• How does Uline support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
• What is the company's long-term vision for its creative department, and how does this role fit into that vision?
• How does Uline measure the success of its creative initiatives, and what metrics are most important for this role?
• What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how does that manifest in the creative department?

ASSUMPTION: The key questions listed above are designed to help the candidate better understand the role, the company's creative vision, and the opportunities for professional growth and development. The ideal candidate will be proactive and inquisitive, with a strong desire to learn and grow in the role.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link: https://uline.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Uline_Careers/job/Pleasant-Prairie-WI/Vice-President---Creative_R254056-1
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, with a focus on your leadership and creative vision.
• Prepare a portfolio of your creative work, including examples of your leadership and team management skills.
• Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and approach to managing a creative team during the interview process.
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.