Brand Designer / Art Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer / Art Director

Company: International Brands AG

Location: Baar, Zug, Switzerland

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-09-21

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative vision and execution for a portfolio of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brands with a strong emphasis on market performance and retail impact.

• Develop and refine brand identities, packaging, and marketing assets that drive visibility, recognition, and conversion at the point of sale.

• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in design processes, leveraging AI and modern tools to enhance speed, efficiency, and output quality.

• Manage projects end-to-end, from conceptualization to market-ready product, ensuring a consistent and compelling brand experience across all touchpoints.

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Brands and cross-functional teams to build brands that are not only aesthetically appealing but also commercially successful.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an "Art Director" with a distinct focus on FMCG performance and marketability, rather than a purely aesthetic or conceptual design role. The emphasis on "making products that sell" and "creativity into performance" indicates a highly results-oriented approach, requiring the candidate to demonstrate a clear understanding of consumer behavior and retail dynamics. The "hands-on" and "maker" mentality suggests a need for proactive individuals who can drive initiatives from ideation through to execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement creative concepts across all brands, prioritizing market visibility, brand recognition, and impact.

• Build, sharpen, and evolve robust brand worlds with a consistent visual identity and compelling brand narrative.

• Proactively challenge and improve existing brand elements and designs, moving beyond passive management to active enhancement.

• Design packaging with a clear FMCG logic, ensuring it is attention-grabbing, brand-aligned, and optimized for conversion at the retail shelf.

• Create designs for web, social media, and marketing assets, focusing on performance and user engagement rather than solely on aesthetics.

• Implement ideas pragmatically and efficiently, minimizing time spent in lengthy approval processes.

• Actively utilize AI and modern tools to continuously improve workflows, speed, and overall output quality.

• Independently manage and execute projects from initial concept to final product delivery in the market.

• Oversee and manage freelancers and external partners, maintaining a high standard of quality and brand consistency.

• Foster close collaboration with the Head of Brands and the broader team to ensure cohesive brand strategy and execution.

• Maintain a holistic view of the brand, encompassing product, communication, and the physical retail environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a results-driven approach to brand design, with a strong focus on "FMCG logic," "conversion at the shelf," and "performance over aesthetics." This suggests a need for a candidate who can translate creative vision into tangible commercial outcomes. The expectation to "challenge and improve existing" elements, rather than just manage them, points to a proactive and growth-oriented mindset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in Design, Art Direction, or a related creative field is implied through the experience requirements and the nature of the role.

Experience: 2-5+ years of relevant experience in a creative role, with a proven track record in FMCG or retail environments.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Art Direction or a similar creative leadership role.

• Strong portfolio showcasing successful FMCG or retail projects with demonstrable results.

• High proficiency in Figma for UI and web design.

• Experience in packaging design with a focus on market performance and consumer behavior.

• Expertise in creating designs for social media, web, and print collateral.

• Deep understanding of FMCG design principles, retail dynamics, and consumer purchasing decisions.

• Ability to think critically, challenge the status quo, and drive continuous improvement.

• A results-oriented mindset, focusing on impact, performance, and tangible outcomes.

• Excellent independent work ethic, with a capacity for speed, hands-on execution, and solution-oriented problem-solving.

• Proactive and self-motivated, with a demonstrated ability to drive projects forward.

• Willingness to take ownership and responsibility for creative initiatives.

• Familiarity and practical application of AI tools to enhance creative workflows.

• Fluency in both German and English. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in managing creative projects from concept to completion.

• Familiarity with modern design workflows and agile methodologies.

• Understanding of marketing performance metrics and their relation to design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "strong portfolio with real FMCG or retail projects and visible results" is critical. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the impact of their designs on sales, brand recognition, or market share. The emphasis on Figma, UI, and web design, combined with packaging, indicates a need for a versatile designer comfortable across digital and physical product design. The explicit mention of AI tools suggests that candidates who can demonstrate innovative use of these technologies will be highly valued.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-5 years of relevant creative work, with a significant portion dedicated to FMCG or retail projects.

• Include case studies that clearly demonstrate the project's objectives, your role and contribution, the creative process, and most importantly, the measurable results achieved (e.g., increased sales, improved shelf presence, enhanced brand engagement).

• Highlight projects where you've designed packaging, brand worlds, or marketing assets that directly influenced consumer purchasing decisions or market performance.

• Demonstrate proficiency in Figma, illustrating UI/UX design for web or digital platforms.

• Provide examples of how you've used AI tools to enhance efficiency or creativity in your design process. Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio piece, be prepared to discuss your specific design process, from initial brief analysis and concept development to execution and final delivery.

• Articulate how you approach challenging existing designs and implementing improvements, providing concrete examples of your problem-solving methodology.

• Explain your approach to managing projects independently, including planning, execution, and quality control, especially when working with external partners.

• Be ready to discuss your workflow for creating marketing assets across various channels (web, social, print) and how you ensure consistency and performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary tool for demonstrating suitability. Candidates must prepare to articulate not just the visual outcome but the strategic thinking and measurable impact behind their work. The emphasis on "FMCG logic" and "performance" means that simply presenting aesthetically pleasing designs will not suffice; they must be linked to commercial success.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for an Art Director/Brand Designer with 2-5 years of experience in Switzerland, particularly in the Zug region, and considering the FMCG/retail focus, a competitive annual salary range would typically fall between CHF 85,000 and CHF 115,000. This estimate accounts for the high cost of living in Switzerland, the specialized nature of FMCG design, and the company's stated emphasis on performance-driven creativity.

Benefits:

• Direct collaboration and mentorship from the Head of Brands.

• Significant opportunity for direct influence on brand success and product development.

• Experience a fast-paced decision-making environment, minimizing bureaucratic delays.

• High degree of personal responsibility and autonomy, with ample opportunities to drive impactful change.

• Potential for professional development through hands-on experience with a growing company.

Working Hours: The role is listed as FULL_TIME, which typically translates to approximately 40 hours per week in Switzerland. The company culture, as described, values speed and efficiency, suggesting that while the core hours are standard, a proactive approach might involve flexibility to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of similar roles in the Swiss market for mid-level creative professionals in the FMCG sector, adjusted for the specific location (Zug) known for its high cost of living and competitive job market. The benefits highlight the direct impact and autonomy offered, which are often key selling points for ambitious professionals in this field.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Personal Care / Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). International Brands AG operates in a dynamic, competitive market where product visibility, consumer appeal, and rapid market penetration are crucial for success. The company differentiates itself by focusing on brands that merge design, product quality, and market performance.

Company Size: Described as a "fast-growing Swiss company," suggesting a dynamic, potentially agile environment. While exact numbers aren't provided, rapid growth implies an evolving structure with opportunities for individuals to make a significant impact.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's emphasis on building brands and scaling operations suggests a relatively established entity that is now in an aggressive growth phase.

Team Structure:

• The operations and brand teams appear to be structured to support rapid brand development and market expansion.

• The role reports directly to the "Head of Brands," indicating a clear hierarchy within the brand management function.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected, particularly with the Head of Brands and the broader team, to ensure cohesive brand strategy and execution across all aspects of the business. Methodology:

• Data-driven approach to brand development, focusing on market performance, conversion, and tangible results rather than purely aesthetic considerations.

• Agile and efficient execution is paramount, with an emphasis on speed, pragmatism, and avoiding lengthy approval processes.

• Continuous improvement is a core tenet, encouraging the challenging of existing methods and the active adoption of new tools, including AI.

• A "maker" culture where individuals take ownership and drive projects from conception to completion.

Company Website: https://www.internationalbrands.ch

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's culture is characterized by its "fast-growing" nature and a strong emphasis on market performance for its FMCG brands. This suggests an environment that values initiative, speed, and measurable results. The "not just on slides, not just on Instagram" tagline highlights a commitment to tangible market success over digital-only presence, which is a key differentiator in the FMCG space.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Art Director/Brand Designer, requiring 2-5+ years of experience. It offers a significant step up from junior design roles by placing the individual at the creative helm of entire brands, with direct responsibility for their market performance.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Head of Brands, providing direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic brand discussions. This structure allows for rapid feedback loops and direct influence on brand direction.

Operations Impact: The Art Director/Brand Designer will have a direct and measurable impact on the company's success by creating visually compelling and market-effective brands. Their work will influence consumer perception, drive sales at retail, and contribute to the overall growth and profitability of International Brands AG. The emphasis on "products that sell" and "creativity into performance" underscores this direct business impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Potential to deepen expertise in FMCG brand strategy and art direction, possibly leading to a Senior Art Director or Creative Director role within the company as it continues to scale.

• Skill Development: Opportunity to gain extensive experience in end-to-end brand building, packaging optimization, performance marketing design, and AI integration in creative workflows.

• Strategic Influence: As the company grows, there will be increasing opportunities to influence broader marketing strategies and brand portfolio development, moving beyond individual brand execution to strategic oversight.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential lies in the company's rapid expansion and its results-oriented approach. Individuals who can demonstrate success in driving market performance through design will be well-positioned for advancement. The direct reporting line to the Head of Brands offers excellent visibility and a fast track for demonstrating leadership capabilities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is described as "On-site" in Baar, Switzerland, indicating a traditional office-based work environment. This suggests a collaborative setting where in-person interaction, team brainstorming, and direct mentorship are prioritized.

Office Location(s): Baar, Zug, Switzerland. This location is known for its economic vitality and accessibility within Switzerland.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to foster collaboration, with direct interaction with the Head of Brands and the broader team.

• Access to modern design tools, including Figma and AI technologies, is implied, supporting an efficient and innovative creative workflow.

• Opportunities for dynamic team interaction are likely, given the company's "fast-growing" status and emphasis on rapid execution.

Work Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. The emphasis on speed and efficiency suggests a results-driven approach that may require flexibility to meet project deadlines, but the core schedule is standard.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests that the company values in-person collaboration and the synergistic benefits of a shared physical workspace for creative development. This is common for roles where rapid iteration and spontaneous brainstorming are key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and experience against the job requirements, with a particular focus on FMCG/retail projects.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: A key stage will involve presenting your portfolio, focusing on case studies that highlight your ability to drive market performance and conversion. Be prepared to discuss your design process, problem-solving approach, and the tangible results of your work.

• Creative Challenge/Task: You may be given a short, practical design task or a case study to assess your problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and ability to apply FMCG logic under time constraints.

• Team/Leadership Interviews: Interviews with the Head of Brands and potentially other team members to assess cultural fit, collaborative style, and your proactive "maker" mentality. Expect questions about how you challenge the status quo and drive projects forward.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business objectives, your specific role, the challenges faced, your creative solutions, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., percentage increase in sales, improved conversion rates, enhanced brand recall).

• Showcase FMCG Logic: Highlight designs where you've demonstrated a deep understanding of consumer behavior at the point of sale, shelf impact, and packaging effectiveness.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include examples of work across packaging, digital assets (web, social), and potentially print, showcasing your ability to maintain a consistent brand voice across channels.

• Highlight AI Integration: If you've used AI tools to improve efficiency, speed, or creative output, be prepared to showcase and explain these applications.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to tell a compelling story about each project, emphasizing your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Challenge Preparation:

• FMCG Focus: Anticipate design challenges that require you to think about shelf appeal, consumer decision-making, and brand differentiation in a competitive retail environment.

• Speed & Pragmatism: Practice working efficiently and delivering practical, high-quality solutions within a limited timeframe.

• Problem-Solving: Be ready to articulate your thought process for tackling design problems, demonstrating how you balance creativity with commercial objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize the candidate's ability to link creative output to commercial results. The portfolio is not just a showcase of design skill but a demonstration of business acumen. Candidates should prepare to speak extensively about ROI and market impact.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI and web design, and likely used for collaborative design workflows. Proficiency is a core requirement.

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign): While not explicitly mentioned, these are standard industry tools for graphic design, packaging, and print work and are highly likely to be part of the workflow.

• AI Tools: The role explicitly mentions the active use of AI. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific AI tools they use for concept generation, image enhancement, workflow automation, or other creative processes.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not specified, the emphasis on "performance" and "results" suggests that familiarity with analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics for web, social media analytics) to inform design decisions and measure impact would be beneficial.

• Understanding how to interpret data related to consumer behavior and market trends is crucial. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly relevant to the core design responsibilities, but an understanding of how marketing automation platforms or CRM systems might inform creative briefs or campaign design could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly required. The mention of AI tools is significant and suggests that candidates who can demonstrate practical, impactful use of these technologies will have a competitive edge. It's advisable for candidates to be prepared to discuss their experience with specific AI applications in a creative context.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance & Results: A strong emphasis on tangible outcomes, market success, and driving sales through design. The company values creatives who can translate their work into commercial performance.

• Proactivity & Ownership: A "maker" culture where individuals are expected to take initiative, drive projects, and assume responsibility without constant direction.

• Efficiency & Speed: A preference for rapid execution, pragmatic solutions, and avoiding lengthy, bureaucratic processes.

• Innovation & Improvement: A culture that encourages challenging the status quo, seeking better ways of working, and embracing new tools like AI to enhance output.

• Brand Integrity: Maintaining a consistent and strong brand voice across all touchpoints is paramount.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Collaborative: Close working relationships are expected, particularly with the Head of Brands and the wider team, fostering open communication and shared strategy.

• Results-Oriented Teamwork: Collaboration is geared towards achieving specific market and brand objectives efficiently.

• Agile & Adaptable: The team likely operates in a fast-paced, adaptable manner, responding quickly to market changes and opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture prioritizes action and results. Candidates who thrive in dynamic environments, are comfortable taking ownership, and can demonstrate how their creative work directly contributes to business success will be a strong cultural fit. The "not a manager, but a maker" ethos is central to their hiring philosophy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics with Performance: Consistently creating designs that are both visually appealing and demonstrably effective in driving sales and market impact in a competitive FMCG landscape.

• Rapid Execution & Iteration: Adapting to a fast-paced environment that demands quick turnaround times and continuous refinement of creative assets.

• Proactive Initiative: Stepping up to drive projects and identify opportunities without waiting for explicit direction, which requires a high degree of self-motivation and strategic thinking.

• Integrating New Technologies: Effectively leveraging AI and other emerging tools to enhance creative output and efficiency while maintaining brand quality and integrity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep FMCG Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge of consumer behavior, retail strategies, and the specific design nuances of the FMCG sector.

• End-to-End Brand Building: Developing comprehensive skills in managing brand identity, packaging, marketing campaigns, and product launches from concept to market.

• Leadership Visibility: Direct exposure to senior leadership (Head of Brands) provides opportunities to influence strategic decisions and gain leadership experience.

• Tool Proficiency: Becoming highly adept with leading design tools like Figma and exploring cutting-edge AI applications in creative workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge and opportunity lie in proving the direct commercial impact of design work. Candidates who can navigate this by demonstrating a strong understanding of market dynamics and consumer psychology will find significant growth potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to challenge an existing brand design. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process for improvement and measurable results.)

• "How do you ensure your designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also drive conversion at the retail shelf or online?" (Prepare to discuss FMCG logic, consumer behavior, and performance metrics.)

• "Walk us through a project where you used AI tools to enhance your design process or output. What were the benefits and challenges?" (Be ready to discuss specific tools and their impact.)

• "How do you prioritize your workload when managing multiple brand projects with tight deadlines?" (Highlight your organizational skills and ability to manage speed and quality.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What does 'brand performance' mean to you in the context of FMCG?" (Show your understanding of commercial objectives.)

• "How do you embody the 'maker' mentality? Describe a situation where you took initiative to drive a project forward." (Prepare examples of proactivity and ownership.)

• "What are your thoughts on the role of aesthetics versus market impact in FMCG design?" (Align your perspective with the company's stated values.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with non-design stakeholders, such as brand managers or marketing teams?" (Emphasize clear communication and alignment on goals.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Quantify Everything: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the problem, your solution, and the measurable results (e.g., "Increased shelf visibility by X%", "Drove Y% uplift in sales," "Achieved Z% higher engagement").

• FMCG Focus: Select case studies that best demonstrate your understanding of consumer behavior, retail environments, and how design influences purchasing decisions.

• Process Clarity: Be ready to explain your step-by-step design process, from concept to execution, highlighting any challenges overcome and how you leveraged tools like Figma or AI.

• Storytelling: Frame your presentations as narratives. Start with the challenge, introduce your creative solution, and conclude with the positive impact.

• Conciseness: Given the emphasis on speed, keep your presentations focused and to the point, avoiding unnecessary jargon.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to identify a "maker" who can deliver commercially successful designs. Candidates must be prepared to showcase tangible results and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, backed by strong portfolio evidence and clear articulation of their design process and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer / Art Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com, ensuring your profile is up-to-date.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in FMCG/retail design, art direction, packaging, and proficiency with Figma. Emphasize achievements and quantifiable results relevant to market performance and brand building.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 FMCG or retail projects that showcase your ability to drive market impact. For each project, prepare a concise case study detailing objectives, your role, creative process, and measurable outcomes. Be ready to discuss your use of AI tools.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio effectively, focusing on storytelling, quantifiable results, and your strategic approach to design challenges. Anticipate questions about your process and how you measure success.

• Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with International Brands AG's current brands, market position, and their stated philosophy of "building brands that work in the shelf." Understand their focus on performance-driven creativity.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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