Brand Designer / Art Director / Grafiker

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer / Art Director / Grafiker

Company: International Brands AG

Location: Baar, Zug, Switzerland

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Brand Operations / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-24

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the visual and creative strategy for a portfolio of FMCG brands, driving market performance and shelf presence.

• Develop and execute end-to-end creative concepts, from initial ideation to the final product, with a strong emphasis on consumer behavior and conversion at the point of sale.

• Own the evolution and consistency of brand identities across all touchpoints, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand narrative.

• Leverage AI and modern design tools to enhance workflow efficiency, accelerate output, and maintain a high standard of creative execution.

• Proactively challenge existing designs and processes to drive continuous improvement and innovation within the creative operations framework.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as an "Art Director" with a strong emphasis on "FMCG Performance" and "Hands-on" execution, indicating a need for a creative leader who is deeply involved in the practical application and market success of design, rather than purely conceptual work. The emphasis on "Macher" (doer) and "Macher" (maker) suggests a fast-paced, results-oriented environment requiring strong project management and execution skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement creative concepts across all brands, prioritizing visibility, recognition, and market impact within the FMCG sector.

• Build, sharpen, and advance robust brand worlds with a consistent visual identity and strategic narrative.

• Proactively challenge and improve existing designs and processes, driving innovation rather than merely maintaining the status quo.

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

• Create designs for web, social media, and marketing assets with a focus on performance and measurable results, not solely on aesthetics.

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

• Actively utilize AI and modern tools to continuously improve workflow, speed, and creative output.

• Independently manage and execute projects from concept ideation through to the final market-ready product.

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

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Brands and the wider team to ensure integrated brand strategies.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong bias towards action and results, common in fast-growing FMCG companies. The emphasis on "FMCG-Logik" for packaging and "Performance statt nur Ästhetik" for digital assets indicates a need for a candidate who understands commercial objectives and consumer psychology in retail environments, not just aesthetic principles. The explicit mention of AI integration suggests a forward-thinking approach to creative operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Art Direction, Visual Communications, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent practical experience and a strong portfolio will be highly considered.

Experience: 2-5+ years of progressive experience in creative roles such as Graphic Design, Art Direction, or Brand Design, with a demonstrable track record in FMCG or retail environments.

Required Skills:

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing real FMCG or retail projects with visible results and measurable impact.

• Design Software Proficiency: Excellent skills in Figma, including experience with UI and web design principles.

• Cross-Disciplinary Design: Proven experience in packaging design, social media asset creation, web design, and print collateral.

• FMCG & Retail Acumen: Deep understanding of FMCG design principles, retail environments, consumer behavior, and the psychology behind purchasing decisions.

• Strategic & Performance Mindset: Ability to think beyond aesthetics, focusing on impact, performance, and tangible business outcomes.

• Proactive & Solution-Oriented: Demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo, drive projects forward independently, and find practical solutions.

• Hands-on Execution: A "maker" mentality with a capacity for rapid, high-quality implementation.

• AI Tool Integration: Experience and willingness to leverage AI tools for creative workflow enhancement and efficiency gains.

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in German and English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in managing creative freelancers or external agencies.

• Familiarity with brand strategy development and execution.

• UI/UX design principles beyond basic web design.

• Understanding of marketing automation and performance analytics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements explicitly state a preference against "purely aesthetic thinking" and for individuals who "love concepts but struggle with implementation and speed." This reinforces the need for a candidate who is not only creative but also highly efficient, pragmatic, and results-driven, capable of translating creative ideas into commercially successful products.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• FMCG/Retail Case Studies: Showcase at least 2-3 comprehensive case studies of projects executed for FMCG or retail brands, detailing the challenge, your creative solution, and quantifiable results (e.g., increased shelf visibility, improved conversion rates, enhanced brand recognition).

• Packaging Design Examples: Include detailed examples of packaging designs, highlighting your thought process regarding shelf appeal, brand messaging, and consumer interaction.

• Digital Asset Performance: Present examples of web and social media designs, accompanied by any available data on their performance (e.g., engagement rates, click-through rates, conversion metrics).

• Brand Consistency Examples: Demonstrate your ability to maintain and develop a consistent brand identity across various platforms and applications.

• Process Documentation (Implied): While not explicitly stated, a portfolio that implicitly shows a structured approach to design problems (e.g., initial sketches, mood boards, iterative design stages) will be highly valued.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Evidence of how you approach design projects from brief to execution, including any personal workflow optimization strategies.

• Tool Integration: Demonstrations of how you integrate tools like Figma and AI into your design process to enhance efficiency and output.

• Performance Measurement: Examples of how you have tracked and reported on the performance of your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "visible results" and "conversion" in the portfolio requirements strongly suggests that candidates should prepare to discuss the commercial impact of their creative work. Simply presenting aesthetically pleasing designs will not suffice; the portfolio must demonstrate an understanding of how design drives business objectives in a retail context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CHF 85,000 - CHF 110,000 per year.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on industry benchmarks for mid-level Art Directors/Brand Designers with 2-5 years of experience in Switzerland, particularly in the Zug region, and considering the specific demands of FMCG performance and hands-on execution, a competitive salary range is estimated. This range accounts for the cost of living in Switzerland and the specialized skills required, including Figma proficiency and FMCG market understanding. Data sources consulted include industry salary surveys for creative roles in Switzerland and cost of living indices for the Zug region.

Benefits:

• Direct Collaboration: Work directly with the Head of Brands, offering unparalleled mentorship and direct exposure to senior leadership.

• Brand Impact: Significant influence on the success and trajectory of multiple brands and products in the market.

• Agile Decision-Making: Experience rapid decision-making processes, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles and accelerating project timelines.

• High Autonomy: Enjoy a high level of personal responsibility and freedom to drive initiatives and make substantial contributions.

• Product Development Involvement: Opportunities to be involved in the development of tangible products that reach tens of thousands of retail points globally.

• Professional Development: Potential for continuous learning through exposure to fast-paced market dynamics and innovative creative tools.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with an on-site work arrangement. While a standard work week is expected, the emphasis on hands-on execution and rapid implementation may require flexibility during peak project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits listed are directly extracted from the provided text and emphasize the unique selling points of the role: direct impact, autonomy, and a fast-paced, results-driven environment. These are attractive to candidates who seek to make a tangible difference and grow within a dynamic company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Personal Care / FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods). This sector is characterized by high competition, rapid product cycles, and a strong emphasis on consumer appeal, brand visibility, and efficient distribution.

Company Size: Growing Swiss company (specific size not detailed, but implied to be expanding rapidly). A growing company often means opportunities for individuals to shape processes and take on more responsibility.

Founded: Not specified, but described as a "fast-growing Swiss company" and "still a long way from the limit," suggesting a relatively young or recently scaled operation with significant growth potential.

Team Structure:

• Creative Core: You will be a key member of the creative function, reporting directly to the Head of Brands.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Close collaboration with the Head of Brands and the entire team is expected, indicating an integrated approach to brand development and marketing.

• Hands-on Approach: The team likely operates with a lean, agile structure where individuals are expected to contribute across various aspects of brand building.

Methodology:

• Market-Centric Design: A core methodology is to "build brands that work in the shelf," meaning design is directly tied to market performance, visibility, and sales conversion.

• Performance-Driven Creativity: The approach prioritizes "performance instead of just aesthetics," ensuring that creative output is measured by its commercial impact.

• Agile & Efficient Execution: Emphasis on "fast, pragmatic, and efficient implementation" and avoiding "endless coordination rounds."

• Continuous Improvement: A culture of "challenging the existing" and "making things better" is central, with a proactive stance on innovation.

• AI Integration: Actively employing AI and modern tools to enhance workflow, speed, and output quality.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is clearly defined as fast-paced, results-oriented, and highly pragmatic, with a strong focus on market success. This is not a traditional agency environment; it's an in-house role where the creative output directly impacts product sales and brand growth. The "Macher" (doer) and "Macher" (maker) ethos is paramount.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-level Brand Designer / Art Director, acting as a critical creative lead for the company's brand portfolio. It demands significant autonomy and direct contribution to brand strategy and execution, moving beyond junior design tasks to strategic creative direction.

Reporting Structure: You will report directly to the Head of Brands, providing a clear line of communication and direct mentorship from senior leadership. This structure facilitates quick decision-making and direct influence.

Operations Impact: The role has a profound impact on the company's revenue and business decisions by directly shaping the market perception and sales performance of its brands. Your creative output will be instrumental in achieving market penetration, brand recognition, and sales conversion objectives across tens of thousands of retail points worldwide.

Growth Opportunities:

• Brand Ownership & Development: Opportunity to deeply influence and actively develop multiple brands, taking them from concept to market success.

• Strategic Creative Leadership: Grow into a more senior creative leadership role, potentially managing a larger creative function or taking on broader strategic responsibilities within brand management.

• Skill Expansion: Develop expertise in FMCG market dynamics, consumer behavior, and performance-driven design, alongside advanced proficiency in tools like Figma and AI for creative workflows.

• Agile Operations Expertise: Gain significant experience in a fast-paced, results-driven operational environment, honing skills in rapid execution, efficient project management, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Direct Mentorship: Benefit from direct guidance from the Head of Brands, fostering rapid learning and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are tied to the company's rapid expansion and the hands-on nature of the role. Success in this position can lead to significant advancement, particularly for individuals who demonstrate strong execution, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of market-driven design. The "Macher" ethos implies that those who deliver results will be rewarded with increased responsibility and influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Baar, Switzerland, implying a professional office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Baar, Zug, Switzerland. This location is known for its business-friendly environment and accessibility.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is expected to foster close collaboration with the Head of Brands and the wider team, facilitating quick feedback loops and integrated project work.

• Tool & Technology Access: You will have access to necessary design software, including Figma, and will be encouraged to leverage AI and modern tools for optimal workflow.

• Direct Interaction: Opportunities for regular, direct interaction with key decision-makers and team members, promoting a dynamic and responsive working atmosphere.

• Market-Focused Atmosphere: The environment is geared towards driving tangible market results, with a constant focus on product performance and consumer engagement.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is expected, with an on-site arrangement. Given the fast-paced nature and hands-on requirements of the role, flexibility may be necessary during critical project phases to meet deadlines and achieve market launch objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement and the emphasis on collaboration suggest that the company values in-person interaction for creative brainstorming and efficient project execution. The workspace is likely optimized for a dynamic, results-driven team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your CV and, most importantly, your portfolio.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: You will likely be asked to present key case studies from your portfolio, demonstrating your approach to FMCG/retail design challenges, your understanding of consumer behavior, and the performance outcomes of your work. Be prepared to discuss your process, decision-making, and the impact of your creative solutions.

• Skills Assessment: Potential practical exercises or discussions focusing on your proficiency in Figma, your ability to generate creative concepts quickly, and your understanding of packaging and digital design principles.

• Cultural Fit & Motivation: Interviews will assess your alignment with the company's values, particularly your proactive, hands-on ("Macher") attitude, your drive for results, and your comfort with a fast-paced, autonomous environment.

• Final Round: Likely with the Head of Brands to discuss strategic fit, long-term vision, and final decision-making.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight FMCG/Retail Success: Prioritize case studies demonstrating quantifiable success in FMCG or retail. Focus on shelf impact, consumer engagement, and conversion rates.

• Showcase Your Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, from understanding the brief and consumer insights to ideation, execution, and final results.

• Quantify Your Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Include examples that showcase your skills in Figma and mention your experience with AI tools.

• Emphasize "Macher" Mentality: Select projects that highlight your initiative, problem-solving abilities, and hands-on execution.

• Tailor to the Role: Ensure your portfolio clearly aligns with the responsibilities outlined, particularly the focus on performance-driven design and packaging.

Challenge Preparation:

• Creative Concept Generation: Be prepared for exercises that require you to quickly generate creative concepts for new products or brand extensions within the FMCG space.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions or tasks related to improving existing packaging or marketing assets for better market performance.

• Tool Usage Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would use Figma and AI tools to solve specific design challenges efficiently.

• Strategic Thinking: Practice articulating how design decisions connect to broader business objectives and consumer behavior.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily emphasize the portfolio's ability to demonstrate tangible results and a hands-on, performance-driven approach. Candidates should prepare to not just show their work but to "sell" its commercial effectiveness and their capability as a proactive "Macher."

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

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

• Adobe Creative Suite (Implied): While Figma is highlighted, experience with other Adobe tools (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is likely beneficial for print and complex packaging work.

• AI Tools: Active use of AI for workflow enhancement, idea generation, and efficiency is expected. Specific tools may vary but include AI-powered design assistants, content generators, or image enhancement tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics (Implied): Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics or similar platforms to understand the performance of web assets.

• Social Media Analytics: Experience with native platform analytics (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) to measure engagement and performance of social media content.

• Sales Data Interpretation: Ability to interpret basic sales data or conversion metrics to understand the impact of design on product performance.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools: Experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com) for managing projects and collaborating with the team.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams for day-to-day communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI tools points to a modern, digital-first creative operation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific technologies and how they leverage them for efficiency and effectiveness.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Performance-Driven: A strong emphasis on achieving tangible results, market success, and sales conversion. Creativity is valued for its ability to drive performance.

• Proactive & Autonomous: Expectation for individuals to take initiative, own their work, and drive projects forward without constant supervision. "Taking responsibility instead of waiting for briefs."

• Efficiency & Pragmatism: A focus on fast, practical, and efficient execution, avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy or overly complex processes.

• Continuous Improvement: A culture that encourages questioning the status quo and actively seeking ways to enhance designs, processes, and outcomes.

• Brand Integrity: Commitment to building strong, recognizable brands with a consistent visual identity and compelling narrative.

Collaboration Style:

• Direct & Agile: Collaboration is expected to be swift, direct, and integrated, with close work alongside the Head of Brands and the team.

• Feedback-Oriented: An environment where constructive feedback is exchanged to improve creative output and project execution.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Seamless integration with the broader team to ensure creative efforts are aligned with overall brand and business objectives.

• Hands-on Teamwork: A collective effort where team members contribute actively to achieve shared goals, embodying the "Macher" spirit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is built around a core ethos of being a "Macher" – a doer and a maker who drives results. This implies a culture that values action, initiative, and a strong work ethic, with a clear focus on commercial outcomes.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Aesthetics with Performance: The primary challenge will be to consistently deliver visually compelling designs that also achieve measurable market performance and sales conversion in a competitive FMCG landscape.

• Rapid Iteration & Execution: Working in a fast-paced environment requires the ability to generate and implement creative solutions quickly, often under tight deadlines, without compromising quality.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Brands: Managing and evolving the visual identity for multiple brands requires a strategic approach to ensure consistency while allowing for individual brand differentiation.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Leveraging AI tools to enhance creativity and efficiency requires continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies and workflows.

• Challenging the Status Quo: Successfully introducing new ideas and improvements in an environment that may have established ways of working requires strong communication and persuasive skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep FMCG Market Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of consumer behavior, retail dynamics, and effective design strategies within the FMCG sector.

• Strategic Brand Building: Develop a comprehensive understanding of brand strategy and how creative execution directly impacts market success and business growth.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Master cutting-edge design tools like Figma and leverage AI for enhanced creative output and workflow optimization.

• Agile Operations Acumen: Hone skills in rapid project management, efficient workflow design, and cross-functional collaboration in a high-growth environment.

• Leadership Potential: Opportunities to take on greater responsibility, potentially leading creative projects or influencing broader brand strategy as the company scales.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly linked to the role's core responsibilities and the company's operating model. Overcoming these challenges presents significant growth opportunities for ambitious creative professionals.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance purely aesthetic considerations with strong commercial performance requirements. How did you approach it, and what were the results?" (Focus on your process for achieving market-driven design outcomes.)

• "How would you approach developing a new packaging concept for a [specific FMCG product type, e.g., snack, beverage] to maximize shelf appeal and drive impulse purchases?" (Demonstrate your understanding of FMCG design logic and consumer behavior.)

• "Walk us through your process for ensuring brand consistency across digital and print assets for multiple brands. How do you manage this efficiently?" (Highlight your organizational skills and systematic approach to brand management.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What aspects of International Brands AG's approach to brand building and FMCG design resonate most with you, and why?" (Show research into the company's mission and values.)

• "Describe your experience with AI tools in a creative context. How do you see them impacting the future of design, and how would you integrate them into our workflow?" (Address their specific interest in AI integration.)

• "How do you embody the 'Macher' (doer/maker) mentality in your work? Provide an example of when you took initiative and drove a project forward independently." (Prepare to showcase your proactive and hands-on approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling with Data: For each case study, craft a compelling narrative that clearly outlines the problem, your creative solution, your specific role, and the quantifiable results achieved. Use visuals to support your story.

• Focus on FMCG/Retail Relevance: Emphasize projects that directly relate to the company's industry and challenges. If you don't have direct FMCG experience, draw parallels from other performance-driven design contexts.

• Demonstrate Figma & AI Proficiency: Be prepared to briefly showcase how you use Figma for specific design tasks or discuss your experience integrating AI tools into your workflow.

• Articulate Your "Why": Be ready to explain your design decisions, linking them back to consumer insights, market objectives, and performance goals.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your most impactful work efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time and focusing on the core message of each project.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a deep understanding of the intersection between creative execution and commercial success, a proactive attitude, and proficiency with relevant tools. The "Macher" ethos is a critical cultural fit indicator.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer / Art Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on join.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest FMCG or retail-related projects. Ensure case studies clearly articulate the commercial impact and performance metrics of your design work, aligning with the "performance over aesthetics" requirement.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "FMCG Design," "Art Direction," "Packaging Design," "Figma," "Brand Development," "Consumer Behavior," and "Performance Marketing." Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, decision-making rationale, and the results of your work. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your proactive ("Macher") attitude, problem-solving skills, and ability to work efficiently with tools like Figma and AI.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research International Brands AG, their current brands, their market position, and their stated mission. Understand their emphasis on market-driven design and the "Macher" culture to articulate your cultural fit and enthusiasm.

⚠️ 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.