Collegiate Art Manager

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 screenprint, 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 screenprint, 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.

• 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 Screenprint Net, Collegiate Screenprint, 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.

• 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, screenprint, 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 contributes to it.

OUR CULTURE is one-of-a-kind and truly sets us apart. We are proud of our humble beginnings and non-corporate style. We offer a unique atmosphere, unlike any other manufacturer. We work hard to be the best and we seek only committed individuals that will help move our company forward and embrace our values and culture. Lakeshirts | Blue 84 is one of the largest privately owned screenprint manufacturers in the United States, responsible for decorating and distribution of a wide variety of garments for the resort, college and K-12 markets. At our headquarters in Detroit Lakes, MN, we employ over 1000 great people, proudly producing 35,000+ garments daily. It's not just a job but a lifestyle. Our job descriptions help support and guide you in the role you play in making our company successful. LIFE'S BETTER IN A T-SHIRT. IT REALLY IS.

Employee must be able to see and hear, read and write. Requires adaptability, analyzing, assessing, calculating, decision making, dependability, judgment, reading, speaking, following direction, handling multiple priorities, and reasoning.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and should in no way be considered a contract or guarantee of employment. Employee may perform other related duties as needed based on the ongoing needs of the business. Minnesota is an Employment-At-Will state and implies no specific length of employment.