Senior Image Retoucher (Northern Suburbs (Cape)) at PEP

Purpose of the job 

• Responsible for leading the post-production and retouching function by delivering high-quality, customer-facing imagery for our website, and social media platforms. This role combines hands-on image retouching with leadership responsibilities, ensuring all visual assets meet brand standards, quality expectations, and production deadlines while supporting continuous improvement in studio workflows.

Requirements
Key Responsibilities

E-commerce & Social Media Image Retouching:

• Lead the retouching and finishing of high-volume e-commerce product and on-model imagery.
• Perform advanced retouching, including skin retouching while maintaining natural skin texture.
• Execute colour correction, clipping paths, compositing, image clean-up, cropping, resizing, and final image preparation.
• Ensure all imagery is colour accurate, commercially appealing, and aligned with brand standards.
• Optimise images for web, marketplace platforms, and other digital channels.
• Maintain consistency across all published imagery through established quality control procedures.

Image Quality and Post-production:

• Oversee the quality assurance process for all retouched images prior to publication.
• Ensure adherence to published quality control measures and sign-off procedures.
• Build composites and execute creative image manipulation where required.
• Support creative concepts through advanced image editing and finishing techniques.
• Maintain exceptional standards for composition, colour, exposure, and image consistency.

Workflow, Systems & Operations:

• Manage large-volume retouching workflows while maintaining quality and turnaround times.
• Adhere to file management, server structures, naming conventions, version control, and archive procedures.
• Record production output accurately within job and time management systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow efficiencies through automation, AI tools, and process improvements.
• Assist in maintaining image libraries and digital asset management systems.

 Leadership & Mentorship:

• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and technical support to the Image Retouching team.
• Mentor junior retouchers and provide coaching on best practices and quality standards.
• Ensure consistent adherence to brand guidelines, studio processes, and production timelines.
• Support onboarding and training of new team members where required.
• Collaborate with the Photography Lead, Stylists, Production Manager, and Studio teams to ensure seamless production workflows.

Studio Culture & Collaboration

•  Participate in regular studio meetings, creative reviews, and workflow planning sessions.
• Build strong working relationships with photographers, stylists, brands, suppliers, and production teams.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and solution-focused studio culture.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the studio and post-production teams.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification (Diploma/Degree) in Graphic Design, Photography, Visual Arts, Multimedia, or related field.
• 5+ years' relevant experience in high-volume e-commerce image retouching and post-production.
• Proven experience within a fashion retail or e-commerce environment.
• Video editing Advantageous 
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Software..
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud, Capture One, and Lightroom.
• Advanced experience in skin retouching while maintaining natural texture.
• Excellent colour correction and colour management skills for digital applications.
• Strong understanding of composition, cropping, image enhancement, and image optimisation.
• Experience with compositing, image manipulation, and advanced finishing techniques.
• Knowledge of large-volume workflow management and digital asset management.
• Experience with AI-assisted retouching, automation tools, and image upscaling will be advantageous.
• Understanding of fashion styling and garment presentation will be advantageous.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering exceptional quality.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict production deadlines.
• Willingness to work overtime and weekends during peak production periods when required.
• Understanding of legislation pertaining to copyright and plagiarism will be advantageous.