Collegiate Art Manager

GREAT ART. IT'S KINDA WHAT WE DO HERE AND WHAT WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT. THE OPPORTUNITY

At Lakeshirts, we stay on-trend and keep pushing the boundaries of creativity. In the last five years alone, our teams have produced more than 200,000 new designs, along with approximately 26,000 design modifications each year. Our decoration techniques include screen print, embroidery, applique, stickers, and pretty much everything else under the sun. Whew!

We're looking for a highly organized, detail-driven, boots-on-the-ground leader to guide our Collegiate Art team at our headquarters in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. This team is part of our Production Art organization, a 100-plus-person group of onsite and remote artists who collaborate daily to transform ideas into production-ready artwork and the products our customers love.

As Collegiate Production Art Manager, you will set daily direction, lead through others, and keep artwork moving accurately and on time across college screen print, collegiate accessories, import art, Zephyr headwear, Elite Fan Shop, and Hot Market programs. You will partner closely with Line Development, Creative, Operations, Production, Technical, and Quality teams to connect great design with great execution.

If you're a servant leader with a talent for multitasking, coaching teams, improving processes, and bringing creative work to life, this could be your next adventure. This is a fully onsite position at our headquarters in Detroit Lakes.

Pay Range: $60,000 - $70,000 annually

Location:

Onsite at Lakeshirts Headquarters in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Shift: Monday-Friday

Hours:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Growth:
Lead a large, multi-location art team while developing future leaders and owning the team's Continuous Improvement roadmap.

Lakeshirts offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, paid holidays, employee discounts, wellness initiatives, and additional voluntary benefit options.

Leading from the Front + Leading Through Others + Daily Direction Setting + Execution + Keep the Value Stream Moving

• Build, lead, coach, and motivate the Collegiate Art team by providing clear purpose, direction, and accountability.
• Lead Daily Direction Setting activities to prioritize workloads and ensure artwork is completed accurately and on time.
• Oversee Collegiate Art execution supporting College Screen print Net, Collegiate Screen print, Collegiate Accessories, Import Art, Zephyr Headwear, Elite Fan Shop, and Hot Market programs.
• Collaborate with Operations and Production to ensure artwork supports manufacturing schedules and customer commitments.
• Partner with Line Development and Creative teams to ensure artwork achieves the intended visual presentation and production requirements.
• Monitor department metrics and performance indicators to ensure productivity, quality, throughput, and service goals are achieved.
• Support new program launches, art packs, sample production, and special projects.
• Partner with Technical and Quality teams on new applications, techniques, training initiatives, and process improvements.
• Own the Continuous Improvement roadmap for the Collegiate Art team by identifying opportunities and helping others execute great ideas through our NIMBLE program.
• Develop future leaders through coaching, training, performance management, and succession planning.

High-Level Organization + Direction of Multiple Parties + Eye for Detail + Artistic Aptitude + Get-It-Done Team-First Mentality

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Graphic Design, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced production, manufacturing, creative services, or apparel environment.
• Experience supporting apparel decoration, screen print, headwear, accessories, or a related industry preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, workflows, and deadlines.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, solve problems, and keep projects on track.
• Ability to learn and effectively use Salesforce, Adobe Illustrator, and other business systems.
• Exceptional communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, ever-changing environment while remaining nimble and open-minded.
• Embraces our culture and actively…