Brand Designer (Pepsi)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer (Pepsi)

Company: PepsiCo

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: May 04, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-3 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic development and execution of brand design solutions for the iconic Pepsi brand and its portfolio.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and R&D, to translate business objectives into compelling visual narratives.

• Create and refine visual identity systems, packaging designs, and brand guidelines to ensure consistency and impact across all touchpoints.

• Leverage a keen understanding of consumer behavior and market trends to inform design decisions and inspire future brand experiences.

• Utilize expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and advanced design techniques to produce high-quality creative assets for both digital and print media.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is in Brand Design, it has significant overlap with operations roles that manage creative workflows, asset libraries, and cross-functional project coordination. The emphasis on "driving comprehensive brand and graphic design projects from ideation and strategy to execution" and managing "timelines, milestones, and internal deadlines" indicates a need for strong project management and operational discipline within a creative context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-quality brand design solutions, encompassing visual identity systems, packaging design, and structural design, within a fast-paced, high-output studio environment.

• Craft compelling brand design strategies that align with business objectives and resonate with target consumers across diverse markets.

• Lead comprehensive graphic design projects from initial concept ideation and strategy development through to final execution and implementation.

• Effectively present design concepts and articulate visual storytelling both verbally and visually to internal stakeholders and brand leads.

• Iterate on designs based on constructive feedback from Brand Design leads and cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with evolving brand needs and business goals.

• Collaborate within a team-based design environment, contributing to brainstorm sessions and ideating creative solutions that push brand boundaries.

• Manage personal timelines, milestones, and internal deadlines rigorously to ensure the timely delivery of all design projects.

• Maintain brand consistency across all creative outputs while simultaneously meeting critical business objectives.

• Partner with functional design experts and business units to inform product architecture and innovation pipelines through design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative execution and strategic project management. The need to "guide brand design," "craft the brand design strategy," and "execute major design projects" signifies a role with significant ownership and operational impact on brand initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.).

• Strong portfolio showcasing a diverse range of print and digital design projects.

• Excellent typography and layout design sensibility.

• Proficient sketching skills (digital and/or hand sketching) for rapid idea generation and concept communication.

• Deep understanding of brand design principles and experience with developing visual identity systems and style guidelines.

• Ability to design in alignment with evolving brand needs while meeting business objectives.

• Strong visual and verbal storytelling capabilities.

• Experience in presenting design concepts clearly and concisely to stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• Foundational understanding of industrial design and motion design principles.

• Illustration skills.

• Foundational photography skills, including lighting, composition, and retouching.

• Experience with social media content curation and digital asset management.

• Interest or experience in digital design and photography.

• Experience with 360 visual identities and creating comprehensive brand guidelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for strong technical design skills and a portfolio that demonstrates practical application. The preference for industrial and motion design, alongside photography, suggests an expectation for a holistic understanding of brand presentation across multiple media, which is increasingly important for integrated GTM strategies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates a progression from initial concept to final execution for a minimum of 3-5 significant brand design projects.

• Specific examples showcasing the development of visual identity systems, including logo variations, color palettes, and typography hierarchies.

• Detailed case studies of packaging design projects, illustrating the problem, your design process, and the final outcome, ideally with mock-ups or final rendered assets.

• Evidence of creating and adhering to brand style guidelines and ensuring brand consistency across multiple applications.

Process Documentation:

• Showcasing the process of iterating on designs based on feedback, including examples of initial concepts and revised versions.

• Demonstrating the ability to quickly sketch ideas and communicate concepts effectively, with examples of ideation phases.

• Evidence of managing project timelines and meeting internal deadlines, potentially through project management tool screenshots or workflow descriptions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role with operational responsibilities, the portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase aesthetic quality but also the candidate's ability to manage projects, collaborate, and deliver against strategic objectives. Emphasis should be placed on the process behind the design, not just the final output.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $80,700 - $135,100 annually.

Benefits:

• Performance Bonus: Eligible for a bonus with a target payout of 5% of annual salary, paid out annually.

• Paid Time Off: Subject to eligibility, includes paid parental leave, vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave.

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
  • Disability Insurance.
  • Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

• Insurance: Accident Insurance, Group Legal Insurance, Life Insurance.

• Retirement: Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a mid-level designer in a major metropolitan area like New York City. The comprehensive benefits package is standard for a large corporation like PepsiCo, offering robust support for employees and their families. The bonus structure incentivizes performance, aligning with operational goals of driving business value.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage. PepsiCo is a global leader, operating in over 200 countries and territories. Its portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (PepsiCo is a Fortune 500 company with tens of thousands of employees globally). This implies a structured environment with established processes, but also opportunities for impact within a large, influential organization.

Founded: 1965 (merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay). This long history signifies stability, brand recognition, and deep market expertise.

Team Structure:

• Part of the global PepsiCo Design function, which integrates multiple design disciplines (brand, design thinking, industrial, strategy, innovation).

• The Brand Pepsi Design team likely comprises specialized designers focused on the core Pepsi brand.

• Collaboration will be extensive with cross-functional teams across marketing, brand management, product development, and R&D.

Methodology:

• Design is viewed as a strategic global function driving business value through innovation, experience creation, and brand engagement.

• Emphasis on "design thinking" and creating "meaningful, authentic, and relevant brand experiences."

• Data-driven insights into consumer behavior are used to inform creative output.

• A "crazy enough to think we can inspire the future" ethos suggests a culture that embraces bold ideas and innovation.

Company Website: https://www.pepsicojobs.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's scale and focus on design as a strategic driver mean this role operates within a highly professional, results-oriented environment. Understanding the company's commitment to innovation and consumer-centricity is key. The "operations" aspect here relates to the management of creative workflows and ensuring design initiatives align with broader business and GTM strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Designer. This role is for an individual contributor with 2-3 years of focused studio experience. The responsibilities suggest a growing capacity to manage projects independently and contribute strategically to design initiatives.

Reporting Structure:

• The Brand Designer will report to a Brand Design Lead or Director within the PepsiCo Design team.

Operations Impact:

• The Brand Designer's work directly impacts brand perception, consumer engagement, and ultimately, sales performance through compelling visual communication and product presentation.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design disciplines (e.g., packaging, digital, motion design) and master advanced Adobe Creative Suite functionalities.

• Project Scope Expansion: Progression to lead larger, more complex design projects and potentially manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gaining experience working with diverse teams across marketing, product innovation, and global markets, broadening understanding of integrated GTM strategies.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and growth, potential to move into Senior Designer roles, Brand Design Lead positions, or specialized design strategy roles.

• Industry Exposure: Working for a global CPG leader provides invaluable experience in a dynamic and competitive market.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a designer, growth often involves deepening creative skills and expanding project leadership. In a large organization like PepsiCo, this also means understanding how creative operations integrate with broader business functions and GTM strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site position, indicating a traditional office setting within PepsiCo's New York City location. This facilitates in-person collaboration, brainstorming, and access to studio resources.

Office Location(s): 350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. This is a modern office building in a vibrant area of Manhattan.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative studio environment where designers work together, share ideas, and provide feedback.

• Access to necessary design tools, software, and potentially physical resources for prototyping or presentations.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with Brand Managers, Marketing teams, and other key stakeholders, fostering a dynamic and communicative work atmosphere.

Work Schedule:

• The role is full-time, with standard working hours expected to be around 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be available, but the on-site nature and project demands will likely require consistent presence during core business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and team synergy for this role, which is common for creative positions where spontaneous idea exchange is valued.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter will review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Review: A key stage where designers or design leads will meticulously assess the candidate's portfolio for quality, creativity, technical skill, and alignment with PepsiCo's brand aesthetic. Be prepared to walk them through your design choices, process, and rationale.

• Design Challenge/Test: Potentially a small design exercise or case study to assess problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and ability to work under pressure. This may involve developing a concept or refining existing assets.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Brand Managers, Marketing leads, or other relevant stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication, and understanding of business objectives.

• Final Interview: With senior design leadership to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and confirm alignment with the team's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose your strongest 3-5 projects that best represent the skills and experience required for this role.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the problem you were solving, your design process, key decisions, and the final outcome. Use visuals effectively to support your narrative.

• Showcase Process: Include sketches, mood boards, wireframes, and iterations to demonstrate your thinking and problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Impact: If possible, quantify the success of your designs (e.g., improved engagement, successful campaign launch).

• Tailor to Pepsi: Emphasize projects that demonstrate an understanding of CPG brands, packaging design, and visual identity systems. Show you've researched PepsiCo's brand.

• Digital Presentation: Ensure your online portfolio is professional, easy to navigate, and loads quickly.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Deeply familiarize yourself with Pepsi's current branding, its historical evolution, and its competitive landscape.

• Think Strategically: Be ready to discuss how design can drive business objectives and consumer engagement.

• Practice Presentation: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and any hypothetical solutions clearly and concisely, anticipating questions about your design choices and process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a creative role, the portfolio is paramount. The interview process will heavily weigh the ability to present and defend design decisions, demonstrating both creative talent and operational understanding of project delivery.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is essential. This includes:

  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustration.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image manipulation, digital painting, and compositing.
  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design, style guides, and print collateral.

• Sketching Tools: Digital (e.g., Procreate, Adobe Fresco) and/or traditional hand-sketching abilities.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role's core functions, but awareness of how creative assets are managed and distributed through digital asset management (DAM) systems or project management tools could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is a non-negotiable requirement for any graphic or brand designer. The emphasis here is on mastery for producing high-quality creative assets that align with brand standards.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Inspire the Future: A core value at PepsiCo Design, encouraging bold, innovative thinking and a forward-looking approach to brand creation.

• Consumer-Centricity: Deep empathy for consumers, understanding their needs, behaviors, and desires to create relevant and meaningful brand experiences.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on teamwork and working harmoniously with cross-functional partners to achieve shared goals.

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality design solutions that meet rigorous brand and business standards.

• Agility & Adaptability: Comfort in a "rapid paced, high-output environment" and ability to iterate designs quickly based on feedback and evolving needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with peers within the design team and extensively with marketing, brand management, and product development teams.

• Open communication is key, with regular updates on project progress and proactive sharing of information to avoid surprises.

• A willingness to participate in brainstorms and contribute ideas constructively within a team setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "crazy enough to think we can inspire the future" ethos points to a culture that values creativity, innovation, and a willingness to take calculated risks within the framework of brand strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Consistency with Innovation: Maintaining the iconic Pepsi brand's integrity while introducing fresh, modern designs that appeal to contemporary consumers.

• Rapid Pace & High Output: Thriving in a fast-moving environment that demands quick turnarounds and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without sacrificing quality.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively communicating design intent and navigating feedback from diverse stakeholders with varying perspectives and priorities.

• Global Brand Adaptation: Designing for a global brand requires sensitivity to regional nuances and cultural differences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Brand Expertise: Gain in-depth knowledge of one of the world's most recognized brands and its strategic direction.

• Expand Design Skillset: Opportunities to hone skills in packaging, digital, and potentially explore areas like motion graphics or industrial design through project exposure.

• Industry Best Practices: Learn from experienced designers within a leading CPG company's dedicated design function.

• Networking: Build a strong professional network within PepsiCo, connecting with individuals across marketing, product development, and other creative disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity to grow within a major global brand, facing challenges that are common in large-scale brand management and requiring adaptability and continuous learning.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance brand consistency with the need for innovation in a design project. How did you approach it?" (Focus on process, rationale, and outcome.)

• "How do you stay current with consumer behavior trends and translate them into design solutions?" (Highlight research methods and application.)

• "Walk us through a brand identity project from your portfolio. What was the brief, your process, and what were the key challenges you overcame?" (Be ready to present your portfolio with detailed explanations.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you admire about the Pepsi brand's design history or current visual identity?" (Show you've done your research.)

• "How do you see design contributing to PepsiCo's business objectives?" (Connect design to business value.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project type or chronologically. For each project, have a clear narrative: Problem -> Your Role -> Process -> Solution -> Impact.

• Visuals: Use high-quality images and mock-ups. Ensure your digital portfolio is mobile-responsive and easy to navigate.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your top 3-5 projects within a set timeframe, focusing on the most relevant aspects for this role.

• Highlight Process: Show sketches, mood boards, and iterations to demonstrate your thought process.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or results related to your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily scrutinize both creative output and the candidate's ability to articulate their process, rationale, and understanding of business objectives within a large corporate structure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the PepsiCo Jobs portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your online portfolio or PDF submission to highlight projects most relevant to CPG brands, packaging design, and visual identity systems. Ensure it's professional, easy to navigate, and showcases your best work.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 2-3 years of studio experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any relevant experience in brand strategy, packaging, or digital design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design process, key decision-making rationale, and how your work aligns with brand objectives during portfolio reviews and interviews. Practice presenting your projects.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research PepsiCo's brand history, current marketing campaigns, and design philosophy. Understand their values and how the brand is positioned in the market.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description provides a comprehensive overview based on the provided information and industry standards. Specific details regarding team dynamics, day-to-day tasks, and exact interview processes should be confirmed directly with the PepsiCo hiring team.