DTP Packaging Designer at Shoprite Group of Companies

Job Objectives

Conceptual Design (Ad hoc basis as focus is DTP)

• Adhere to brand guidelines while conceptualising and creating initial packaging design concepts.
• Research new and existing packaging designs and concepts to understand benchmarks before applying  each concept.
• Investigate market leaders and draw cues from existing leads where required.
• Conduct research, print trends and any analysis to improve design.

Packaging Brief Execution

• Complete packaging briefs from concept to finished artwork.
• Liaise with Packaging Project Managers on a continuous basis during design & roll out process for creative input, feedback and guidance.
• Work closely with the team and other departments to gather project requirements, provide regular updates.
• Present initial and final designs to relevant Packaging Project Manager and or Private Label Design Manager in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain templates for consistency across print and digital platforms.
• Liaise with internal packaging team and external printing service provider with regards to printing process and achieving desired print quality for every project.
• Prepare and present mock-ups and print proofs.
• Prepare timely final artwork (FA) with media panel for final printing process.
• Provide bi-weekly status updates and prioritise projects for Packaging Project team.
• Maintain archive of all final artwork (FA) and approved concepts for each project.

Marketing and Public Relations Design Initiatives (Ad hoc)

• Conceptualise new creative designs for Ad hoc Marketing and Public Relations initiatives, as per business requirements, for e.g. POS (point of sale) and agreed marketing activity.
• Design POS items that reflect the brand’s visual identity, following marketing guidelines to maintain cohesive messaging across all retail environments.

Project Coordination

• Liaise with internal and external service providers on packaging projects (e.g. deadlines, photoshoots; pre-production documents; art direction or master creation when required); in a timely manner to ensure business requirements are met.
• Attend to multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high-quality output and prioritising effectively.

Conceptual Presentations (Ad hoc)

• Prepare and complete professional packaging design concept presentations, research documents, packaging artwork mockups and 3D renders for packaging design concept approval meetings for the Packaging Project team and/ Private Label Designer Manager in a timely manner. 

Brand Custodianship

• Pull and review existing artworks to ensure they comply with brand style guides.
• Ensure market research is reviewed to ensure the artworks deliver on the market leaders and review claims.
• Conduct consistency checks against the Brand Style Guide.

Final artworks set up, packaging of files, back-ups

• Understand print requirements, print terminology and set up requirements for various print set ups.
• Ensure artwork is 100% correct with media panel, aligned with signed off concept and supplied in the correct format/colour set up and size before packaging.
• Back-up and file according to company requirements and policies.
• Conduct thorough quality assurance checks on electronic or colour proofs for consistency in colour, layout and overall presentation.

Administration

• Prioritise and liaise with traffic officer and ensure all projects are on the tracker and progressing at the correct pace.
• Maintain an organised archive of all design files, concept, and artworks for future reference. 
• Ensure folders are correctly labelled. 
• Regularly update computers with the latest programmes. 
• Assist in training junior designers or interns in design best practices, software tools, and brand standards, promoting a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Graphic Design or related field - (essential).
• Additional certifications from recognised institutions (e.g., Vega or AAA) - (desirable).

Experience

• +3 years in packaging design and final artwork preparation or equivalent field - (essential).
• Experience designing for a variety of media, understanding technical elements that affects design - (essential).
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) and Acrobat - (essential).