Design Director (Fabric Japan/ Korea)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director (Fabric Japan/ Korea)

Company: Procter & Gamble

Location: Singapore

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative Operations / Brand Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-09-07

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of design initiatives for Procter & Gamble's Fabric Care brands in the Japan and Korea markets, ensuring consumer-inspired and innovative creative output.

• Manage and mentor a multi-talented team of designers and print production specialists, fostering a high-performance culture focused on design excellence and efficient workflow.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Consumer Insights, and Sales, as well as external agencies, to deliver cohesive and compelling brand experiences across all touchpoints.

• Drive end-to-end design processes, from concept development and art direction to digital design, packaging, and print execution, ensuring alignment with brand identity and business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Design Director," has significant operational and leadership components that align with a senior operations or GTM strategy role within a creative function. The emphasis on managing teams, driving processes, influencing leadership, and ensuring timely, on-budget execution points to a need for strong operational rigor alongside creative vision. The focus on specific markets (Japan/Korea) and product categories (Fabric Care) indicates a need for deep market understanding and strategic localization.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive the cascade and execution of design strategies within the team and broader organization, actively contributing to framing these strategies.

• Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships and effective communication rhythms with multi-functional team members.

• Proactively identify and lead the development of new ideas, techniques, procedures, services, or products that enhance brand appeal and market competitiveness.

• Co-create and refine designs to effectively adapt to the unique nuances and challenges of local markets, thereby driving winning brand propositions.

• Accomplish key business objectives by effectively managing and leading the design team, strategically allocating individuals based on business needs, their strengths, and career aspirations.

• Lead assigned projects with speed and flexibility, navigating uncertain circumstances to deliver successful outcomes.

• Foster a pioneer mindset and deep curiosity among the team, always with the ultimate business and consumer end-goal in mind.

• Represent the design function within the matrix organization to influence leadership teams, ensuring designs are on-brand, elevated, and of exceptional quality.

• Oversee multiple initiatives from design strategy through to final execution, fully articulating local consumer needs and the specific business context of the Japan and Korea markets.

• Develop consumer-winning concepts across various touchpoints in partnership with internal and external teams, based on campaign requirements, including innovative package design, digital design, brand identity/asset creation, and photography.

• Translate consumer insights and business needs into compelling and consumer-appealing design solutions.

• Coach and mentor a team of designers and print production managers/specialists to ensure a high level of design quality and an efficient workflow, while simultaneously growing the team's capabilities.

• Own and drive the design priorities for the team's activities, including work processes, budgets, and stewardship of tools, to effectively deliver on the design team's agenda.

• Lead assigned projects to ensure goals are delivered on time and within budget, maintaining strong communication with key partners throughout the project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for strong project management, stakeholder management, and team leadership skills, which are core to operations roles. The emphasis on "driving cascade and execution," "managing team," "leading work with speed & flexibility," and "owning and driving design priorities" highlights a requirement for operational excellence in a creative context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or a similar relevant field. Experience:

• 10-18 years of agency, design studio, or in-house experience with a strong focus on graphic design, art direction, digital design, and package design, specifically within the beauty or consumer goods industry.

• Proven experience in leading design teams and managing external agency partners, demonstrating strong leadership and collaboration capabilities.

• Demonstrated experience working with and understanding the nuances of the Japan market. Required Skills:

• Design Leadership: Ability to represent design in key decision-making processes and influence leadership teams.

• Creative Strategy: Expertise in translating consumer insights and business needs into consumer-appealing design solutions and brand propositions.

• Art Direction: Proven ability to guide creative vision and execution across various touchpoints.

• Package Design: Deep understanding of packaging design principles, innovation, and execution.

• Digital Design: Proficiency in creating compelling digital assets and experiences.

• Team Management & Mentorship: Experience leading, coaching, and mentoring design professionals to foster growth and maintain high standards.

• Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives, budgets, and timelines effectively.

• Print Production Management: Solid understanding of basic print production processes and requirements.

• Trend & Culture Awareness: Keen insight into the latest design trends, cultural shifts, and consumer behaviors, particularly within the target markets.

• Software Proficiency: Proficient on Mac platform, including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign. Familiarity with After Effects, Premiere Pro, and 3D drawing programs is a plus.

• Communication & Storytelling: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to articulate design concepts and strategies effectively.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to proactively identify and mitigate challenges, ensuring timely project delivery.

• Attention to Detail: Unwavering focus on detail and a strong sense of ownership for deliverables.

• Strategic Thinking: Thoughtful and strategic approach to design and branding initiatives.

Preferred Skills:

• Japanese Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Japanese is preferred for enhanced communication and cultural understanding within the target market.

• Experience with After Effects and Premiere Pro: Advanced skills in motion graphics and video editing tools.

• 3D Drawing Programs: Experience with 3D design software for enhanced visualization.

• Experience with Korea Market: Familiarity or experience working with the Korean market.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (10-18 years) and the emphasis on leadership, strategy, and team management position this role as a senior leadership position within the creative operations function, requiring not just creative talent but also robust operational and strategic planning capabilities. The preference for Japanese language proficiency underscores the importance of localized execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record in graphic design, art direction, digital design, and package design, with a clear emphasis on work within the beauty or consumer goods sector.

• Case studies demonstrating successful brand strategy implementation, concept development, and end-to-end design execution from ideation to final delivery.

• Examples of work that highlight adaptability to local market nuances and cultural relevance, particularly for the Japan market.

• Evidence of managing and leading design projects, including any visual documentation of process improvements or workflow optimizations implemented.

• Demonstrations of how design solutions have contributed to achieving business objectives, such as brand growth, market share, or consumer engagement metrics. Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how design processes were documented, standardized, or improved to enhance efficiency and quality.

• Illustrate experience in developing and managing design workflows, from brief inception to final asset delivery, ensuring clarity and accountability.

• Provide insights into how design briefs were translated into actionable project plans and how progress was tracked and communicated.

• Demonstrate understanding of print production workflows and how to ensure seamless execution and quality control.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior role like this, a portfolio is crucial not just for showcasing creative output but also for demonstrating operational capability. Candidates should be prepared to articulate the processes behind their creative successes, including how they managed teams, collaborated with stakeholders, and optimized workflows for efficiency and quality.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Design Director role with 10-18 years of experience in a major hub like Singapore, and considering Procter & Gamble's standing as a global leader, the estimated annual salary range would be SGD 150,000 - SGD 220,000. This range accounts for the seniority, leadership responsibilities, specialized market experience (Japan), and the comprehensive benefits package typically offered by a multinational corporation. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Contributions to a provident fund or similar retirement savings scheme.

• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays, potentially including specific market holidays for Japan and Korea.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, conferences, and access to learning resources to enhance design and leadership skills.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for personal and work-related challenges.

• Performance Bonuses: Potential for annual performance-based bonuses tied to individual and company achievements.

• Product Discounts: Employee discounts on Procter & Gamble products.

• Relocation Assistance: If applicable, support for international relocation to Singapore. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time employment, typically 40 hours per week. While core business hours are expected, the role may require flexibility to accommodate project deadlines, cross-functional team needs, and interactions with teams in different time zones (Japan and Korea).

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on available market data for senior design leadership roles in Singapore from reputable sources, adjusted for the specific industry and company size of Procter & Gamble. Benefits are typical for a large multinational corporation. The working hours note acknowledges the operational demands of a leadership role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - specifically focusing on Fabric Care brands. P&G operates globally, with a significant presence in markets like Japan and Korea, known for their discerning consumer bases and unique market dynamics.

Company Size: Procter & Gamble is a large multinational corporation, employing over 100,000 people globally. This scale means extensive resources, established processes, and a complex organizational structure, offering significant opportunities for impact and career growth.

Founded: Procter & Gamble was founded in 1837, bringing a rich history of innovation and brand building. This long-standing heritage suggests a culture that values both tradition and forward-thinking adaptation, particularly in design and consumer engagement.

Team Structure:

• The Design Director will report to a Senior Design Director, indicating a hierarchical structure within the design function.

• The role operates within a matrix organization, requiring strong collaboration with multi-functional teams (Marketing, Consumer Insights, Sales) and external agencies.

• The team managed by the Design Director includes designers and print production managers/specialists, forming a core creative unit responsible for delivering on specific market needs. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: While creative, the role emphasizes translating consumer insights and business needs into design solutions, indicating a data-informed approach.

• Agile Execution: The expectation to "Lead work with speed & flexibility in uncertain circumstances" suggests an agile or adaptable methodology for project execution.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: A core methodology involves close partnership with various departments to ensure design alignment with broader business objectives and market strategies.

• Consumer-Centricity: The focus on "consumer inspiring fresh ideas," "consumer appealing design solutions," and understanding "local consumer needs" highlights a consumer-centric approach to design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The context highlights that P&G's operations, even in creative roles, are deeply integrated with business strategy and consumer understanding. The matrix structure is a key operational characteristic that impacts how work gets done.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at a senior leadership level within the creative operations domain. It requires extensive experience (10-18 years) and a proven ability to manage teams, influence strategy, and drive execution across complex markets. The scope includes strategic design direction, operational oversight of creative projects, and team development.

Reporting Structure: The Design Director reports to a Senior Design Director, indicating a clear line of management and mentorship. This structure allows for guidance on strategic initiatives and career development within the design leadership track.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is significant, directly influencing brand perception, consumer engagement, and ultimately, market performance for P&G's Fabric Care brands in Japan and Korea. Effective design operations contribute to brand differentiation, competitive advantage, and revenue growth by ensuring compelling and relevant product presentations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advanced Leadership Roles: Potential to advance to Senior Design Director or Global Design Director positions, overseeing larger teams, broader portfolios, or global design strategies.

• Strategic P&L Influence: Opportunity to gain deeper involvement in business strategy and P&L discussions related to product categories or markets.

• Cross-Market/Category Expertise: Develop extensive expertise across different consumer markets and product categories within P&G, broadening professional capabilities.

• Innovation Leadership: Lead initiatives in design innovation, exploring new technologies, materials, and consumer engagement methods.

• Mentorship and Development Programs: Participate in or lead internal mentorship programs, contributing to the development of future design leaders within P&G.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes not just creative advancement but also operational and strategic leadership within a major consumer goods company, aligning with senior operations career trajectories.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in a Procter & Gamble General Office in Singapore. Such offices typically offer a professional, corporate environment designed for collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s): Singapore General Office. Singapore is a major international business hub, offering excellent infrastructure, connectivity, and a diverse, multicultural environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office space is expected to facilitate interaction with multi-functional teams and external partners, supporting the matrixed nature of the role.

• Access to Tools & Technology: Employees will have access to P&G's standard suite of design software (Adobe Creative Suite), collaboration tools, and potentially advanced visualization or prototyping technologies.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with direct reports, peers, and leadership, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and shared purpose.

Work Schedule:

• A full-time schedule (approximately 40 hours per week) is standard. However, the demands of managing international markets (Japan/Korea) and cross-functional projects may necessitate flexibility, including occasional early morning or late evening work to align with different time zones and critical project milestones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a global hub like Singapore suggests a highly structured yet collaborative corporate environment, typical of large multinational corporations, with a strong emphasis on team interaction and access to resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role's creative and operational demands.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your design philosophy, leadership style, experience with specific markets (Japan), and how you approach team management and cross-functional collaboration.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, detailing specific case studies. Expect to discuss your role, the strategic thinking behind the designs, the operational challenges overcome, and the impact of your work. This is a key opportunity to demonstrate your design leadership and project management skills.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from Marketing, Consumer Insights, and potentially Sales, assessing your ability to collaborate, influence, and integrate design into broader business strategies.

• Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with senior management to evaluate strategic fit, leadership potential, and overall cultural alignment with P&G.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your leadership, strategic thinking, market adaptability (especially for Japan), and end-to-end execution capabilities.

Include a mix of branding, packaging, and digital design.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly articulate:

  • The challenge/brief
  • Your role and responsibilities
  • The strategic approach and consumer insights applied
  • The operational process and collaboration involved
  • The creative solution
  • The measurable results or impact

• Highlight Operational Aspects: Emphasize how you managed timelines, budgets, teams, and external partners. Discuss any process improvements you implemented.

• Demonstrate Market Nuance: Clearly explain how your designs were tailored for the Japan market and why those specific choices were made.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to discuss your design decisions, leadership style, and how you handle challenges and feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for scenario-based questions regarding team management, conflict resolution, influencing stakeholders, and driving design innovation under pressure.

• You may be asked to critique existing designs or propose solutions for hypothetical market challenges.

• Practice articulating your strategic thought process clearly and concisely.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both creative talent and operational leadership. A strong portfolio that details the process and impact of design work, alongside creative execution, will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: Deep proficiency is expected in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

• Motion Graphics & Video Editing: Familiarity or proficiency with After Effects and Premiere Pro is highly desirable for digital content creation and dynamic brand storytelling.

• 3D Design Software: Experience with 3D drawing programs (e.g., Cinema 4D, Blender, SolidWorks for packaging) is a significant plus for advanced visualization and concept development.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with P&G's internal collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, internal project management software) for communication and workflow management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly an analyst role, understanding how to interpret consumer insights and market data is crucial. Familiarity with tools that visualize these insights (e.g., Tableau, Power BI for reports) could be beneficial. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding how design assets are managed and distributed within P&G's systems, potentially involving DAM (Digital Asset Management) systems or PIM (Product Information Management) tools, would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific Adobe Creative Suite tools, with a preference for motion graphics and 3D, highlights the need for a technically proficient creative leader. Understanding how these tools integrate into broader marketing and product development workflows is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Consumer First: All design decisions are rooted in understanding and serving the consumer, ensuring products resonate with target audiences in Japan and Korea.

• Bias for Action: A proactive approach to problem-solving and execution, driving projects forward with urgency and efficiency.

• Ownership: Taking full responsibility for design outcomes, from concept to execution, and fostering this sense of ownership within the team.

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in design, brand representation, and business dealings.

• Curiosity: A continuous drive to explore new trends, technologies, and consumer behaviors to foster innovation in design.

• Collaboration: Working effectively within a matrix structure, valuing diverse perspectives and building strong partnerships across functions.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Actively seeking and building strong relationships with Marketing, Consumer Insights, Sales, and external agencies to ensure cohesive brand strategies.

• Influential Communication: Effectively communicating design rationale and strategies to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, to gain buy-in and alignment.

• Feedback-Driven: Open to constructive feedback and fostering a culture where team members can provide and receive feedback to drive continuous improvement in design quality and process.

• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrating an understanding and respect for cultural differences, particularly when working with teams and consumers in Japan and Korea.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values are deeply intertwined with operational effectiveness, emphasizing proactive execution, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving, which are essential for managing complex international design operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Market Specificity: Navigating the distinct cultural nuances, consumer preferences, and competitive landscapes of both the Japan and Korea markets simultaneously.

• Balancing Global Brand Standards with Local Relevance: Ensuring designs are consistent with P&G's global brand identity while being highly relevant and appealing to local consumers.

• Managing Cross-Cultural Teams and Stakeholders: Effectively leading and collaborating with individuals and teams across different cultural backgrounds and time zones.

• Driving Innovation in a Mature Category: Finding opportunities for fresh, impactful design within established product categories like Fabric Care.

• Adapting to Evolving Digital Landscapes: Keeping pace with rapid changes in digital design trends and consumer engagement platforms.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Leadership Training: Access to P&G's extensive leadership development programs, focusing on strategic thinking, change management, and executive presence.

• Market Immersion Programs: Opportunities to deepen understanding of the Japan and Korea markets through dedicated research, travel, and local team engagement.

• Innovation Workshops: Participation in P&G's innovation labs and ideation sessions to explore cutting-edge design concepts and technologies.

• Cross-Functional Rotations (Informal): Gaining exposure to adjacent functions like Brand Management or Consumer Insights to build a more holistic business perspective.

• Industry Conferences & Trends: Support for attending leading design and marketing conferences to stay abreast of global trends and network with industry professionals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the operational complexity of managing design for distinct international markets, requiring strategic adaptation and strong cross-cultural leadership. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing well-rounded leaders within a global CPG context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a design strategy for a mature product category in a highly competitive market like Japan. How do you ensure innovation and consumer relevance?" (Focus on consumer insights, trend analysis, competitive benchmarking, and strategic design frameworks).

• "How do you foster collaboration and alignment between design teams and multi-functional partners (Marketing, Sales, R&D) within a matrix organization? Provide an example." (Highlight communication strategies, building relationships, and managing differing priorities).

• "Walk us through a complex design project you led from concept to execution. What were the key operational challenges, how did you overcome them, and what was the ultimate business impact?" (Prepare a detailed case study demonstrating project management, problem-solving, and results). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Procter & Gamble and specifically this Design Director role for Fabric Care in Japan/Korea?" (Research P&G's mission, values, recent innovations, and specific brand portfolio).

• "How do you align your team's creative output with a large corporation's brand guidelines and strategic objectives, while also encouraging individual creative expression?" (Discuss your leadership philosophy and methods for balancing control with autonomy).

• "How do you measure the success of design initiatives beyond aesthetics? What metrics do you prioritize?" (Focus on consumer engagement, brand perception, market share, sales impact, and ROI). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each case study, frame it as a narrative with a clear beginning (the challenge), middle (your process and solutions), and end (the outcome).

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the tangible results of your design work (e.g., increased sales, improved brand perception scores, higher engagement rates).

• Showcase Your Leadership: Clearly articulate your role in leading the project, managing the team, and influencing decisions.

• Highlight Adaptability: Emphasize how you tailored designs for the Japan market, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and strategic localization.

• Be Prepared for Technical & Operational Questions: Expect to be asked about software used, production processes, budget management, and how you handled specific operational hurdles.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational leadership, market understanding, and the ability to translate creative vision into tangible business results, all within P&G's corporate framework.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link, ensuring all required fields are completed accurately.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight your 10-18 years of experience, focusing on leadership roles, achievements in graphic, digital, and package design within the beauty/CPG industry, and specific experience with the Japan market. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your strongest work that showcases end-to-end project management, strategic thinking, team leadership, and successful execution for international markets. Ensure it includes case studies with clear articulation of challenges, processes, and results.

• Research P&G: Familiarize yourself with Procter & Gamble's brand portfolio, company values, and recent initiatives, particularly within the Fabric Care category and the Japan/Korea markets.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your design philosophy, leadership style, and how your experience aligns with the role's responsibilities during interviews and portfolio presentations. Practice presenting your case studies concisely and impactfully.

⚠️ 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.