JOB TITLE: Graphic Designer – Packaging Artwork

REPORTS TO: National Business Manager - Packaging

Position Summary

The Graphic Designer – Packaging Artwork is primarily responsible for preparing and adapting customer artwork for customised packaging products, ensuring designs are accurately executed according to approved templates, customer specifications, and production requirements.

This is not a traditional concept-driven graphic design role. Approximately 70% of the role involves following existing artwork templates, briefs, specifications, and customer instructions, while approximately 30% involves graphic design and creative adaptation where required.

The successful candidate will have a strong eye for detail and the ability to accurately interpret and execute design instructions. They must be comfortable working within established templates and brand guidelines, making precise adjustments to artwork, and ensuring files are production-ready.

Marketing coordination experience is a plus, but marketing coordination is not a core responsibility of this position.

Key Responsibilities

1. Packaging Artwork & Artwork Execution 

• Liaise closely with Packaging staff to prepare and adapt artwork according to customer specifications and approved design templates.
• Follow existing artwork templates, layouts, brand guidelines, and detailed customer briefs with a high level of accuracy.
• Apply customer-provided designs, logos, colours, text, images, and other specifications to existing packaging artwork and templates.
• Ensure artwork is positioned, sized, formatted, and prepared exactly according to the approved requirements.
• Carefully review all artwork details before submission to minimise errors, inconsistencies, or production issues.
• Ensure all artwork is suitable for accurate and high-quality reproduction on the selected packaging materials.
• Where required, liaise with customers' Design and Marketing teams to confirm brand guidelines, artwork specifications, and approval requirements.
• Communicate with Packaging staff and customers to clarify artwork requirements where instructions are incomplete or unclear.
• Produce artwork in accordance with Procedure HPCDES001 Printing Artwork, including correct version control, file naming, and documentation.
• Maintain accurate and well-organised records of artwork correspondence, customer approvals, sign-offs, and production files.
• Collaborate with Packaging and Operations teams to review and verify the accuracy of printed bags and other packaging products during initial production runs.
• Liaise with external suppliers and manufacturers to resolve artwork queries and confirm production requirements and technical specifications.
• Provide timely updates throughout the artwork review and approval process.
• Ensure final artwork files are correctly prepared and supplied within agreed deadlines.

2. Graphic Design & Creative Adaptation 

• Make design adjustments and creative adaptations to existing artwork based on customer requirements and project briefs.
• Develop or modify layouts, graphics, images, typography, and other visual elements when required.
• Create supporting visual assets for packaging and related business requirements.
• Ensure all creative outputs remain consistent with approved brand guidelines and customer requirements.
• Prepare artwork for both digital and print production.
• Translate customer or internal briefs into accurate and practical design solutions.
• Use professional judgement to identify potential design or production issues and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Maintain and organise digital artwork libraries, templates, and brand resources to ensure accessibility and version control.

3. Customer & Internal Communication

• Communicate professionally with customers regarding artwork requirements, revisions, approvals, and production specifications.
• Respond promptly to artwork-related enquiries and provide clear updates throughout the design and approval process.
• Work closely with Packaging, Operations, Sales, and other internal stakeholders to ensure artwork requirements are clearly understood and delivered.
• Provide guidance regarding artwork formats, print requirements, file specifications, and technical considerations where appropriate.
• Escalate unclear, conflicting, or potentially problematic artwork instructions before proceeding with production.

4. Marketing Support – Desirable / As Required

• Marketing coordination is not a core responsibility of the position; however, previous marketing coordination experience is considered an advantage.
• Provide occasional graphic design support for marketing activities, promotions, trade shows, conferences, and other business initiatives where required.
• Support the creation and adaptation of marketing assets using existing brand guidelines and approved designs.

Key Performance Indicators

• Artwork Accuracy & Compliance
• Attention to Customer Specifications
• On-Time Artwork Delivery
• Artwork Revision Accuracy
• Production-Ready Artwork Quality
• Version Control & Documentation Accuracy
• Customer & Internal Stakeholder Satisfaction
• Ability to Follow Established Templates and Processes

Behavioural Capabilities

Attention to Detail

Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail when reviewing artwork, layouts, dimensions, text, colours, logos, specifications, version control, approvals, and production requirements.

Accuracy & Process Discipline

Consistently follows established templates, procedures, customer instructions, and production requirements without unnecessarily deviating from approved designs.

Ability to Follow Instructions

Able to carefully interpret written and visual briefs and execute designs according to specific customer requirements, even where the work involves repetitive or highly detailed adjustments.

Quality-Focused

Takes ownership of the accuracy and quality of completed artwork and conducts thorough checks before files are submitted for approval or production.

Creative Thinking & Practical Design Skills

Able to make appropriate design adjustments and creative recommendations when required while understanding that the primary objective is to accurately execute the customer's approved design.

Organisation & Time Management

Highly organised, able to manage multiple artwork requests and revisions, maintain accurate files and documentation, and meet deadlines.

Professional Communication

Communicates clearly and professionally with customers, Packaging staff, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to clarify requirements and resolve artwork-related issues.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Works effectively with Packaging, Operations, Sales, and other teams to ensure artwork progresses smoothly from brief through to production.

Positive, Can-Do Attitude

Demonstrates flexibility, initiative, and willingness to learn while maintaining a careful and methodical approach to artwork production.

Key Competencies & Skills

• Minimum 2+ years' experience in graphic design, artwork production, packaging artwork, or a related role.
• Strong proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly:
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
• Experience working with existing design templates and adapting artwork to specific requirements.
• Strong understanding of print-ready artwork and production requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and customer specifications precisely.
• Strong understanding of typography, layout, colour, image placement, and visual consistency.
• Ability to identify artwork errors and potential production issues before final submission.
• Strong file management and version-control skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, time management, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple artwork requests and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, and Copilot.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Marketing coordination experience is desirable but not essential.
• Experience in packaging, print production, customised products, or similar industries is highly desirable.
• Desirable: Tertiary qualification in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
• Current driver's licence.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented graphic designer who is comfortable working within established templates and processes rather than someone who is primarily looking to create original concepts from scratch.

They should enjoy precision-based artwork production and be confident taking an existing design and accurately adapting it to different customer requirements. They should be able to follow a brief closely, identify even minor inconsistencies, ask questions when instructions are unclear, and ensure the final artwork matches the customer's desired outcome before it proceeds to production.

Experience with packaging, print, customised products, or artwork production will be highly valuable. Marketing experience is a bonus, but the primary focus of the role is packaging artwork execution and accuracy.

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