Head of Print Design Studio at SMD Technologies

About the Role:

• We’re looking for a hands-on, results-driven leader to head up our packaging, creative and studio team. This is not a role for someone who wants to coast — we want someone who leads by example, takes ownership, holds high standards, and isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in to keep projects moving.
• You’ll manage a high-volume, fast-paced studio responsible for packaging, POS, catalogues, retail design and print across a wide range of products and brands. You’ll be expected to keep the work flowing smoothly, manage a diverse team of designers, ensure best-in-class creative output, and represent the company confidently in meetings, pitches, and partner collaborations.
• If you know how to bring creative visions to life and keep a studio running like clockwork — this one’s for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the packaging and creative design pipeline, from briefing to delivery
• Lead, motivate and manage a team of designers, freelancers, and DTP artists
• Partner with the Traffic Manager to ensure workflows are structured, efficient, and always moving
• Represent the creative studio confidently in internal meetings, supplier presentations and external partner briefings
• Pitch creative ideas, packaging concepts and campaign rollouts that meet both strategic and commercial goals
• Set and uphold high standards for accuracy, layout, typography, packaging spec and brand consistency
• Drive productivity and accountability across the team — you’ll know when someone’s dragging their feet
• Deliver quick turnarounds without compromising quality
• Handle disciplinary issues professionally and firmly, including issuing written warnings when needed
• Ensure the studio is delivering at a pace that matches the commercial demand, every time
• Oversee design approvals, press checks, supplier queries and mock-ups
• Keep the team aligned with production deadlines, brand guidelines, and company objectives
• Manage team KPIs, and complete monthly reporting on tasks and work out of studio.
• Liaise with Product Development teams to ensure range execution is continuous and within keeping of brand guidelines.

Must-Have Skills and Experience

• 7+ years experience in a senior design, packaging or creative production role (ideally FMCG, retail, or product-based)
• Proven leadership and team management experience — you know how to get the best out of your people
• Strong packaging and print knowledge, including layout, die-lines, substrates and spec sheets
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills — you're never late and never surprised by a deadline
• A portfolio that demonstrates an exceptional eye for quality and creative execution
• Clear communication skills and the confidence to represent the company at a senior level
• Tough but fair approach — you can spot nonsense a mile away and aren’t afraid to call it out constructively
• Experience working with traffic or production managers to maintain high-volume studio output
• Comfortable managing both creative and operational elements of a studio environment