Makita U.S.A., Inc. Career Opportunities
Within the last 5 years, what role did the following play in your job:
Creative strategies and design
Within the last 5 years, what role did the following play in your job:
Adobe Creative Cloud apps
Are you willing and able to travel approximately 10-15% of the time to trade shows or other industry events?
Please note that this position is no longer available.
If you would like to be considered for similar opportunities now or in the future, feel free to apply and/or set up a notifier for yourself.
In-house Creative Services Manager
CA - La Mirada
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Leverage all of your Creativity, Technology and Flexibility Skills Managing an Expanding In-House Creative Services Team

If you’re an experienced, high-energy manager who is like “MacGyver” – an inventive problem-solver who is creative and open minded, uses the latest technologies, can quickly provide input, think on your feet, flush-out fresh ideas, envision interesting solutions and find innovative and resourceful ways of executing on those solutions even when deadlines are tight and quality demands are high – the role of In-house Creative Services Manager could be your perfect fit. At Makita U.S.A., we manage all of our marketing in-house, delivering 2,500 projects per year. We do everything from idea to development, through execution. We design traditional print media and our catalog, execute email campaigns, video, trade shows, events, sponsorships, creative copy, logos, brand guidelines and much more. Of course, you must like power tools and get excited about product innovation.

As In-house Creative Services Manager, you will be current with the latest trends from related technologies to creative to social media. We also have the capability of doing print-on-demand projects and will be expanding our print capabilities by adding an in-house print center. This is an environment where you can leverage the breadth of your skillset to manage a creative team marketing every aspect of the globally recognized Makita brand. You can make an impact driving brand and creative initiatives and influence creative strategy. Quick question for you - click here  In addition, the marketing department is growing! Demonstrate your talent and prove yourself a star, and you will find plenty of runway to further grow your team and career as we continue to expand.

Makita is a worldwide leader in the professional power tool industry. Over the past 100 years we've built a reputation for using the finest raw materials, the most advanced manufacturing equipment, and the most rigorous quality testing in the industry. Headquartered in La Mirada, CA, Makita U.S.A. has been bringing Makita's best-in-class engineering advantage to professional power tool users in America since 1970.

The Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will have solid management skills and a history of success driving a team, developing individual contributors and taking responsibility for the complete employment cycle from hiring and onboarding to performance reviews, succession planning, disciplinary action, etc. He/she will also have the creative bandwidth to consistently provide interesting ideas, effectively act as a creative consultant, solve problems and do hands-on execution as needed.

To meet the basic requirement for this role, you must be legally authorized to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer of visa sponsorship. To be a strong fit for the opportunity of In-house Creative Services Manager, you will also have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising or a related field.  
  • 7+ years of experience managing a team of Graphic Designers and a department of at least five people. 
  • The ability to multi-task and to effectively lead an in-house creative team, including the ability to give an idea, develop the idea and execute it from start to finish.
  • Strong listening, project management, persuasion and presentation skills.
  • The ability to be flexible and creative, yet still adhere to the corporate look and feel.
  • Expert Level of Adobe® creative cloud applications.  Quick question for you - click here
  • Intermediate skill using Microsoft Office® software – PowerPoint, Excel and Word; advanced skills are a plus.
  • Experience with social media and digital marketing campaigns.
  • Knowledge of the latest P.O.P. materials such as plastics, vinyl, paper and more.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and spelling skills in English, including creative writing talent to create headlines and write light copy.
  • A demonstrated track record of succeeding in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
  • The ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of management and all outside vendors.
  • Outstanding reasoning and creative problem solving abilities, extensive planning and scheduling skills, and the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • A current, unrestricted drivers license.
You will also need to be willing and able to travel approximately 10-15% of the time to trade shows or other industry events. We follow a corporate paradigm with work beginning in the office at 8 a.m. each day.  Quick question for you - click here

Pictured: Makita's 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kit. Each tool delivers serious torque at only a few pounds for a wide range of drilling, fastening and hammer drilling applications. The 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion 4.0 Ah battery BL1840 reaches a full charge in 40 minutes or less.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Brand Marketing, as In-house Creative Services Manager, you will manage a growing Creative Services Team including a Creative Services Coordinator, Creative Supervisor, five to seven Designers, ranging from senior level to those newer in their career, and one to two interns. You will oversee the team, managing employee responsibilities, succession planning, and team growth, which we anticipate to be rapid over the next few years, along with creative strategy and execution. 

On an ongoing basis, you will be responsible for helping translate Makita's brand objectives into creative strategies and designs by driving the direction of advertising and brand initiatives and managing the creative and marketing functions for the brand. Leveraging your managerial abilities along with your graphic design and ad copy skills, you will mentor and guide your team, taking a hands-on approach as necessary, and overseeing a variety of projects involving support for promotions, packaging, print, online, campaigns, social media, point-of-purchase, trade shows, video, sponsorships and much more. This department handles both the creative and production aspects of projects, and develops and processes close to 2500 jobs annually. We'll look to you to ensure these projects are produced to the highest quality, even with tight deadlines or little lead time. Additionally, you will take ownership of all aspects of our Miss Makita and Senorita Makita Personal Appearance Program, including candidate search, interviews, annual contract, travel coordination and photo shoots.

More specifically, you will:
  • Manage and direct the in-house creative team (and the vendors that support the department) in the production of all the creative materials, campaigns, events and more.
  • Manage the creative and brand objectives. Take initiative on the creative direction to continually move the brand while remaining consistent with the brand values.  
  • Manage Graphic Designers on the Material Request jobs as well as demonstrate creative techniques using a computer.
  • Manage the company’s tri-lingual languages (English, Spanish and French-Canadian).
  • Create and enforce brand guidelines that are upheld both internally and externally.
  • Have a keen knowledge of the latest P.O.P. materials, such as, plastics, vinyl, paper and more; use this knowledge in working with outside vendors for managing the jobs and negotiations.
  • Monitor and maintain the company’s supply of marketing materials.
  • Source printing, photography and display needs with outside vendors and purchase as needed.
  • Build strong communications with marketing and other departments to streamline and efficiently execute advertising projects.
  • Develop and coordinate marketing materials to the sales team and regional offices in a format that is efficient as well as cost effective.
  • Propose and implement schedule of national advertising print and online campaign.
  • Provide job status of Material Requests which is available 24/7 for the Material Request owner to be able to view.
  • Continually strive to improve methods, practices and procedures within the Creative Department.
  • Learn and know the Makita products, model numbers, applications and overall business operation.
Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Pictured: Makita offers the world's largest 18V Lithium-ion line-up, offering corded power and performance in more than 100 tools, from drivers to portable band saws to sanders . . . and more. These tools are jobsite proven and feature industry-leading charge times.

Why Makita

High-profile impact -- this role provides a unique opportunity to make your mark on our Creative department. You'll have the freedom and autonomy to drive the direction of this role, and make of it what you want to put into it. Of course, this isn't an 8 to 5 position. We're looking for someone with the passion, drive and dedication to make a long-term impact. 

Career development -- we are looking for a sharp professional who can grow with Makita. While this role could keep you happy and challenged for years to come (after all Marketing is growing rapidly), we're committed to promoting from within whenever possible. Prove yourself a star and you could pursue advancement opportunities within Marketing or other areas of the company.

Exciting, fun promotions -- in addition to your activities with the Miss Makita and Señorita Makita programs, you’ll have a hand in a variety of other exciting projects and initiatives. We're targeting professional tool users in the 18 to 34 age range and the Hispanic market (among others), and we have sponsorship and marketing partnerships with companies like Rockstar Energy Drink, Oakley, Kicker Car Stereo and more. To get the full flavor of how we roll, check out www.makitatools.com. Clicking on this link will open a new browser window, so be sure to come back to submit your resume!

Stability -- Makita has a strong financial profile and we remained profitable even through the recession. One reason for this stability is a strong brand. Visit any construction site and you're sure to encounter a variety of Makita tools, because our quality and performance have earned us a solid reputation within the contractor community. We continue to lead the industry with the introduction of high quality, innovative tools.

Great people -- our people are the cornerstone of our success. In fact, if you ask any of our long-tenured staff as to why they've stayed on the team for 20+ years, more often than not they'll say it's their peers. In fact, your manager has been here over 17 years. The Makita team, they say, is made up of some of the most appreciative and supportive -- not to mention talented -- professionals they've ever worked with.

Excellent compensation -- in addition to a competitive salary, we offer one of the most generous benefits packages in our industry, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401(k) and profit sharing plans; vacation time; tuition reimbursement, and more.

Pictured: Makita's product line is quite diverse; this 64 cc gas-powered chainsaw, for example, features a rugged cast cylinder and low-noise operation.

Keys to Success

We said it up-front...it will take a creative MacGyver to excel in this position. In other words, someone with ingenuity, innovative problem-solving skills, leadership finesse and the drive to meet targets and capture wins. You'll leverage both your creativity and management experience daily to act as a leader and motivator inspiring the Creative Services team and working to make them better. A heavy hand won't work here. Instead, you'll take a hands-on approach and won't be hesitant to roll-up your sleeves and help with a project if needed. You will set the tone and have high expectations of the team and yourself.

We'll look to you to adhere to brand guidelines, but also push the envelope, bringing new ideas to the table. You'll need to be ahead of the curve, creative, have an eye for consistency and professionalism, and excellent follow-up and follow-through skills. Attention to detail and a commitment to deadlines will be paramount. Additionally, you should be able to effectively navigate and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced corporate environment.

About Us

Makita owes its reputation for manufacturing and distributing outstanding quality power tools to the drive and determination for excellence that began years ago as a manufacturer of electric motors. In 1958 we introduced our first electric tool, and today we are one of the world's largest power tool manufacturers, with seven manufacturing facilities globally and a selection of more than 350 superior and innovative tools.

Believing that the motor is the heart of any power tool, we take great pride in our motor expertise. We spare no expense in producing the most powerful, efficient and best performing motors available for each tool, carefully selecting only the best quality raw materials, employing the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, and using the most stringent manufacturing processes and quality control in the industry. To make certain that our quality standards are upheld, constant testing is performed during machining and assembly processes, including a final run-test under power before leaving the factory to ensure optimum performance.

Our success comes not only from producing top quality tools, but also from our unparalleled customer service. From our customer service representatives to our extensive sales team to our R&D group, we are dedicated to delivering complete customer satisfaction. Makita USA is headquartered in La Mirada, California.

Pictured: Makita's extensive sponsorship of extreme sports includes off road racing, freestyle motorcross, rally car, Major League Soccer, FMF Soccer Team and more.

Leverage all of your Creativity, Technology and Flexibility Skills Managing an Expanding In-House Creative Services Team

If you’re an experienced, high-energy manager who is like “MacGyver” – an inventive problem-solver who is creative and open minded, uses the latest technologies, can quickly provide input, think on your feet, flush-out fresh ideas, envision interesting solutions and find innovative and resourceful ways of executing on those solutions even when deadlines are tight and quality demands are high – the role of In-house Creative Services Manager could be your perfect fit. At Makita U.S.A., we manage all of our marketing in-house, delivering 2,500 projects per year. We do everything from idea to development, through execution. We design traditional print media and our catalog, execute email campaigns, video, trade shows, events, sponsorships, creative copy, logos, brand guidelines and much more. Of course, you must like power tools and get excited about product innovation.

As In-house Creative Services Manager, you will be current with the latest trends from related technologies to creative to social media. We also have the capability of doing print-on-demand projects and will be expanding our print capabilities by adding an in-house print center. This is an environment where you can leverage the breadth of your skillset to manage a creative team marketing every aspect of the globally recognized Makita brand. You can make an impact driving brand and creative initiatives and influence creative strategy. Quick question for you - click here  In addition, the marketing department is growing! Demonstrate your talent and prove yourself a star, and you will find plenty of runway to further grow your team and career as we continue to expand.

Makita is a worldwide leader in the professional power tool industry. Over the past 100 years we've built a reputation for using the finest raw materials, the most advanced manufacturing equipment, and the most rigorous quality testing in the industry. Headquartered in La Mirada, CA, Makita U.S.A. has been bringing Makita's best-in-class engineering advantage to professional power tool users in America since 1970.

The Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will have solid management skills and a history of success driving a team, developing individual contributors and taking responsibility for the complete employment cycle from hiring and onboarding to performance reviews, succession planning, disciplinary action, etc. He/she will also have the creative bandwidth to consistently provide interesting ideas, effectively act as a creative consultant, solve problems and do hands-on execution as needed.

To meet the basic requirement for this role, you must be legally authorized to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer of visa sponsorship. To be a strong fit for the opportunity of In-house Creative Services Manager, you will also have:
  • A bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Advertising or a related field.  
  • 7+ years of experience managing a team of Graphic Designers and a department of at least five people. 
  • The ability to multi-task and to effectively lead an in-house creative team, including the ability to give an idea, develop the idea and execute it from start to finish.
  • Strong listening, project management, persuasion and presentation skills.
  • The ability to be flexible and creative, yet still adhere to the corporate look and feel.
  • Expert Level of Adobe® creative cloud applications.  Quick question for you - click here
  • Intermediate skill using Microsoft Office® software – PowerPoint, Excel and Word; advanced skills are a plus.
  • Experience with social media and digital marketing campaigns.
  • Knowledge of the latest P.O.P. materials such as plastics, vinyl, paper and more.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and spelling skills in English, including creative writing talent to create headlines and write light copy.
  • A demonstrated track record of succeeding in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
  • The ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of management and all outside vendors.
  • Outstanding reasoning and creative problem solving abilities, extensive planning and scheduling skills, and the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • A current, unrestricted drivers license.
You will also need to be willing and able to travel approximately 10-15% of the time to trade shows or other industry events. We follow a corporate paradigm with work beginning in the office at 8 a.m. each day.  Quick question for you - click here

Pictured: Makita's 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2-Piece Combo Kit. Each tool delivers serious torque at only a few pounds for a wide range of drilling, fastening and hammer drilling applications. The 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion 4.0 Ah battery BL1840 reaches a full charge in 40 minutes or less.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Brand Marketing, as In-house Creative Services Manager, you will manage a growing Creative Services Team including a Creative Services Coordinator, Creative Supervisor, five to seven Designers, ranging from senior level to those newer in their career, and one to two interns. You will oversee the team, managing employee responsibilities, succession planning, and team growth, which we anticipate to be rapid over the next few years, along with creative strategy and execution. 

On an ongoing basis, you will be responsible for helping translate Makita's brand objectives into creative strategies and designs by driving the direction of advertising and brand initiatives and managing the creative and marketing functions for the brand. Leveraging your managerial abilities along with your graphic design and ad copy skills, you will mentor and guide your team, taking a hands-on approach as necessary, and overseeing a variety of projects involving support for promotions, packaging, print, online, campaigns, social media, point-of-purchase, trade shows, video, sponsorships and much more. This department handles both the creative and production aspects of projects, and develops and processes close to 2500 jobs annually. We'll look to you to ensure these projects are produced to the highest quality, even with tight deadlines or little lead time. Additionally, you will take ownership of all aspects of our Miss Makita and Senorita Makita Personal Appearance Program, including candidate search, interviews, annual contract, travel coordination and photo shoots.

More specifically, you will:
  • Manage and direct the in-house creative team (and the vendors that support the department) in the production of all the creative materials, campaigns, events and more.
  • Manage the creative and brand objectives. Take initiative on the creative direction to continually move the brand while remaining consistent with the brand values.  
  • Manage Graphic Designers on the Material Request jobs as well as demonstrate creative techniques using a computer.
  • Manage the company’s tri-lingual languages (English, Spanish and French-Canadian).
  • Create and enforce brand guidelines that are upheld both internally and externally.
  • Have a keen knowledge of the latest P.O.P. materials, such as, plastics, vinyl, paper and more; use this knowledge in working with outside vendors for managing the jobs and negotiations.
  • Monitor and maintain the company’s supply of marketing materials.
  • Source printing, photography and display needs with outside vendors and purchase as needed.
  • Build strong communications with marketing and other departments to streamline and efficiently execute advertising projects.
  • Develop and coordinate marketing materials to the sales team and regional offices in a format that is efficient as well as cost effective.
  • Propose and implement schedule of national advertising print and online campaign.
  • Provide job status of Material Requests which is available 24/7 for the Material Request owner to be able to view.
  • Continually strive to improve methods, practices and procedures within the Creative Department.
  • Learn and know the Makita products, model numbers, applications and overall business operation.
Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Pictured: Makita offers the world's largest 18V Lithium-ion line-up, offering corded power and performance in more than 100 tools, from drivers to portable band saws to sanders . . . and more. These tools are jobsite proven and feature industry-leading charge times.

Why Makita

High-profile impact -- this role provides a unique opportunity to make your mark on our Creative department. You'll have the freedom and autonomy to drive the direction of this role, and make of it what you want to put into it. Of course, this isn't an 8 to 5 position. We're looking for someone with the passion, drive and dedication to make a long-term impact. 

Career development -- we are looking for a sharp professional who can grow with Makita. While this role could keep you happy and challenged for years to come (after all Marketing is growing rapidly), we're committed to promoting from within whenever possible. Prove yourself a star and you could pursue advancement opportunities within Marketing or other areas of the company.

Exciting, fun promotions -- in addition to your activities with the Miss Makita and Señorita Makita programs, you’ll have a hand in a variety of other exciting projects and initiatives. We're targeting professional tool users in the 18 to 34 age range and the Hispanic market (among others), and we have sponsorship and marketing partnerships with companies like Rockstar Energy Drink, Oakley, Kicker Car Stereo and more. To get the full flavor of how we roll, check out www.makitatools.com. Clicking on this link will open a new browser window, so be sure to come back to submit your resume!

Stability -- Makita has a strong financial profile and we remained profitable even through the recession. One reason for this stability is a strong brand. Visit any construction site and you're sure to encounter a variety of Makita tools, because our quality and performance have earned us a solid reputation within the contractor community. We continue to lead the industry with the introduction of high quality, innovative tools.

Great people -- our people are the cornerstone of our success. In fact, if you ask any of our long-tenured staff as to why they've stayed on the team for 20+ years, more often than not they'll say it's their peers. In fact, your manager has been here over 17 years. The Makita team, they say, is made up of some of the most appreciative and supportive -- not to mention talented -- professionals they've ever worked with.

Excellent compensation -- in addition to a competitive salary, we offer one of the most generous benefits packages in our industry, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; 401(k) and profit sharing plans; vacation time; tuition reimbursement, and more.

Pictured: Makita's product line is quite diverse; this 64 cc gas-powered chainsaw, for example, features a rugged cast cylinder and low-noise operation.

Keys to Success

We said it up-front...it will take a creative MacGyver to excel in this position. In other words, someone with ingenuity, innovative problem-solving skills, leadership finesse and the drive to meet targets and capture wins. You'll leverage both your creativity and management experience daily to act as a leader and motivator inspiring the Creative Services team and working to make them better. A heavy hand won't work here. Instead, you'll take a hands-on approach and won't be hesitant to roll-up your sleeves and help with a project if needed. You will set the tone and have high expectations of the team and yourself.

We'll look to you to adhere to brand guidelines, but also push the envelope, bringing new ideas to the table. You'll need to be ahead of the curve, creative, have an eye for consistency and professionalism, and excellent follow-up and follow-through skills. Attention to detail and a commitment to deadlines will be paramount. Additionally, you should be able to effectively navigate and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced corporate environment.

About Us

Makita owes its reputation for manufacturing and distributing outstanding quality power tools to the drive and determination for excellence that began years ago as a manufacturer of electric motors. In 1958 we introduced our first electric tool, and today we are one of the world's largest power tool manufacturers, with seven manufacturing facilities globally and a selection of more than 350 superior and innovative tools.

Believing that the motor is the heart of any power tool, we take great pride in our motor expertise. We spare no expense in producing the most powerful, efficient and best performing motors available for each tool, carefully selecting only the best quality raw materials, employing the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, and using the most stringent manufacturing processes and quality control in the industry. To make certain that our quality standards are upheld, constant testing is performed during machining and assembly processes, including a final run-test under power before leaving the factory to ensure optimum performance.

Our success comes not only from producing top quality tools, but also from our unparalleled customer service. From our customer service representatives to our extensive sales team to our R&D group, we are dedicated to delivering complete customer satisfaction. Makita USA is headquartered in La Mirada, California.

Pictured: Makita's extensive sponsorship of extreme sports includes off road racing, freestyle motorcross, rally car, Major League Soccer, FMF Soccer Team and more.
Makita U.S.A., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
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