Design Manager, Beverages;设计经理，饮料

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Beverages;设计经理，饮料

Company: PepsiCo

Location: Shanghai, Shanghai, China

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-20T03:49:00

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in executing comprehensive brand and graphic design projects for PepsiCo's Beverage Group, ensuring a cohesive visual identity across a specific product portfolio.

• Drive design thinking from initial ideation through concept development, refinement, and final execution, leveraging both internal and external design resources.

• Collaborate closely with Sr. Design Directors, Brand, Insights, and Global Design teams to champion the visual identity and creative direction of assigned brands.

• Translate customer needs and market trends into actionable design requirements, ensuring final design recommendations are approved for artwork and production phases.

• Possess strong project management skills to plan, organize, and implement consistent design principles and production processes under pressure.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title "Design Manager" might suggest a purely creative role, the emphasis on "executing comprehensive brand design and graphic design projects," "driving design thinking from ideation thru concept development, refinement, and execution," and "plan, organize, and implement consistent design principles and production processes" indicates a strong operational component. This role requires managing the process of design execution and ensuring efficiency and consistency, aligning it with operations principles. The mention of "leveraging internal/external design resources" also points to resource management, a key operations function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute comprehensive brand design and graphic design projects within the Beverage Group, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and market objectives.

• Drive the end-to-end design process, from ideation and concept development to refinement and final artwork execution, managing multiple projects simultaneously.

• Create high-quality brand design solutions by directly executing designs and effectively managing and directing internal and external design resources.

• Develop and visualize creative concepts through hand sketching or computer software, articulating creative thinking clearly to stakeholders.

• Plan, organize, and implement consistent design principles and production processes to ensure brand integrity and operational efficiency.

• Take ownership of the visual identity for specific brands within the portfolio, collaborating with Sr. Design Director, Brand teams, Insights teams, and the global design team.

• Generate creative design proposals, including visions, scenarios, and concepts, to effectively communicate desired outputs to internal and external team members.

• Participate in research activities, translating customer needs and market insights into actionable design requirements and strategic recommendations.

• Drive design recommendations and decisions through to final approval, ensuring seamless transition to artwork execution and production phases.

• Ensure thorough consideration of all project variables, including market trends, production constraints, and brand guidelines, to guarantee the final solution performs as planned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative leadership and process management. The emphasis on "execution," "driving the process," "managing resources," "planning and organizing processes," and "ensuring final solution performs as planned" are core to operational excellence within a creative function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design or a related field.

Experience: 6+ years of deep brand design experience.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in brand design principles and execution.

• Exceptional graphic design skills with a strong portfolio demonstrating creative taste and problem-solving abilities.

• Proficiency in using the Adobe Creative Suite software (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple design projects from concept to completion.

• Ability to drive design thinking from ideation through concept development, refinement, and execution.

• Experience in managing visual identity for specific brands, ensuring consistency and brand integrity.

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) for effective stakeholder engagement across all organizational levels.

• Capability to develop and visualize concepts through hand sketching or computer software.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment under pressure, with a high tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.

Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in 3D software.

• Experience within the beverage or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.

• Fluency in oral and written English.

• Demonstrating a clear "point of view" regarding design decisions.

• Openness, optimism, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "6+ years of deep brand design experience" combined with "strong project management skill" and the need to "plan, organize, and implement consistent design principles and production processes" suggests a mid-to-senior level role where operational oversight of the design workflow is expected, not just creative contribution. The mention of "driving to final design recommendations, decisions and design approval" further emphasizes the operational gating and decision-making responsibilities.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive brand design projects demonstrating the full project lifecycle from ideation to final execution.

• Projects should clearly articulate the design challenge, your creative process, the solutions developed, and the tangible impact or results achieved.

• Include examples of visual identity development, packaging design, and campaign creative for consumer brands.

• Highlight your ability to manage design projects, including timelines, resource allocation (internal/external), and stakeholder alignment.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your personal design process, from initial research and concept generation to refinement, approval, and production handover.

• Explain how you ensure consistency in design application across different touchpoints and markets.

• Detail your approach to managing feedback and driving design decisions to approval, especially in cross-functional environments.

• Provide examples of how you've implemented design standards or production processes to improve efficiency or brand consistency.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role with operational responsibilities, a portfolio must go beyond just showcasing creative output. It needs to demonstrate the candidate's ability to manage the design process, handle complexity, collaborate effectively, and deliver consistent, high-quality results within a corporate structure. The focus on "process documentation" is crucial for assessing operational thinking.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: ¥350,000 - ¥550,000 CNY per year (approximately $48,000 - $75,000 USD)

Explanation: This estimated salary range is based on research for Design Manager roles in Shanghai, China, with 6+ years of experience in the CPG/Beverage industry. PepsiCo is a major multinational corporation, and compensation is benchmarked against industry standards for similar roles in a tier-1 city like Shanghai. This range reflects the required experience, skill set, and the operational complexity of managing design projects for a prominent brand portfolio.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension or 401k equivalent).

• Employee assistance programs for well-being and mental health support.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and annual incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and continuous learning.

• Employee discounts on PepsiCo products.

Working Hours: Standard full-time work week, typically 40 hours per week. While core hours are expected, flexibility may be offered to accommodate project deadlines and international collaboration, with an understanding of peak workload periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw data provided a salary of 0 USD, indicating it was not specified. A regional salary estimation for Shanghai, China, was performed using industry benchmarks for a Design Manager with 6+ years of experience in a large multinational corporation. The benefits listed are standard for large corporations like PepsiCo.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Consumer Packaged Goods - CPG). PepsiCo is a global leader in convenient foods and beverages, with a vast portfolio of iconic brands.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally). This implies structured processes, established brand guidelines, and a significant organizational hierarchy.

Founded: 1965 (PepsiCo formed by the merger of Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola). This history signifies a company with deep roots in consumer markets and a proven track record of brand building and operational scaling.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger Brand or Marketing department, reporting to a Sr. Design Director or Head of Design for the Beverage Group.

• The immediate team may consist of other designers, project coordinators, and potentially external agency partners.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, leveraging consumer insights and market research to inform design strategies.

• Emphasis on brand consistency and adherence to established brand guidelines, while also encouraging creative innovation within those frameworks.

• Agile project management principles may be applied to design workflows to ensure adaptability and timely delivery.

• A focus on consumer-centric design, ensuring that creative outputs resonate with target audiences and drive brand preference.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Given PepsiCo's scale and industry, the culture is likely a blend of global corporate standards and local market adaptation. The operational role of a Design Manager here means navigating complex brand frameworks and cross-functional dependencies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-to-Senior Level Manager. This role signifies a transition from individual contributor to a manager overseeing the execution of design projects and potentially managing junior designers or external resources. The emphasis on "driving design thinking" and "taking ownership" points to strategic involvement beyond pure execution.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a Sr. Design Director or a similar leadership role within the Beverage Group's design or marketing function. They will likely have significant autonomy in managing their assigned brand portfolio's design execution.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts the commercial success of beverage brands by ensuring visually appealing, on-brand, and market-relevant packaging and creative assets. Effective design execution drives consumer engagement, brand recognition, and ultimately, sales performance. The operational efficiency in design delivery also contributes to cost management and speed-to-market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Advance to Sr. Design Manager or Creative Director roles, leading larger teams or more complex brand portfolios.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Transition into Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, or Global Design roles, leveraging design expertise in broader business contexts.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific design disciplines (e.g., 3D rendering, motion graphics) or develop advanced project and program management skills.

• International Exposure: Potential to work on global design initiatives or relocate to other PepsiCo markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Manager" title implies a step up in responsibility from pure design execution, focusing on process, efficiency, and leading aspects of the design workflow. Growth opportunities are framed within both creative leadership and broader business/operations functions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate Office Environment. This role is based in a modern office setting in Shanghai, likely equipped with design studios, collaborative workspaces, and standard corporate amenities.

Office Location(s): 17F-19F, Gopher Center, No. 757, Meng Zi Road, Shanghai, China. This is a prime business district location, suggesting a professional and accessible work environment.

Workspace Context:

• Expect a collaborative setting where teamwork and idea sharing are encouraged, particularly during brainstorming and concept development phases.

• Access to industry-standard design software and hardware will be provided.

• Opportunities for interaction with diverse teams across Brand, Marketing, Insights, and potentially Global Design functions.

• A fast-paced environment where creative solutions are developed under tight deadlines.

Work Schedule: While the standard work week is 40 hours, the nature of design projects, especially in CPG, often involves periods of intense work leading up to key launches or deadlines. Flexibility is often a given, but a strong commitment to project delivery is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The office location and company size suggest a professional, well-equipped, and collaborative work environment typical of large multinational corporations, with an emphasis on structured workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on experience alignment and key skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the Sr. Design Director or Hiring Manager to assess creative approach, project management capabilities, and cultural fit. Expect questions about past projects and design philosophy.

• Portfolio Review Presentation: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio to a panel (likely including Sr. Design Director, Brand Leads, and potentially Global Design representatives). This is where design thinking, process, and operational management of projects are scrutinized.

• Case Study/Design Challenge (Potential): Candidates may be asked to complete a short design challenge or present a solution to a hypothetical brand problem, demonstrating their problem-solving and creative execution skills under pressure.

• Final Round Interviews: May involve interviews with higher-level management or cross-functional stakeholders to ensure alignment and assess strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase your brand design expertise, operational process management, and impact. Prioritize beverage or CPG examples if possible.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the design process (including research, ideation, refinement), key challenges, solutions, and quantifiable results or impact. Emphasize how you managed the project operationally.

• Showcase Process: Clearly outline your workflow, how you collaborate, how you handle feedback, and how you ensure brand consistency and production readiness. Include sketches or early concepts to illustrate your ideation phase.

• Highlight Operational Skills: Explicitly mention your project management approach, how you leverage resources (internal/external), and how you drive decisions and approvals.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your design philosophy, how you handle conflicting feedback, your experience with production processes, and your understanding of the beverage market.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: If given a case study, thoroughly analyze the brand, target audience, and business objectives.

• Strategic Thinking: Focus on how design can solve a business problem, not just create something aesthetically pleasing.

• Process & Efficiency: Demonstrate how you would approach the project efficiently, considering timelines and resources.

• Clear Communication: Be ready to articulate your thought process and design rationale clearly and concisely, as you might in a stakeholder meeting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is central to this role. Candidates must demonstrate not only creative talent but also the structured approach and project management skills required to operate effectively within a large organization like PepsiCo.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.

• 3D Software: A significant plus, potentially for package visualization or conceptual rendering (e.g., Cinema 4D, Keyshot, Blender).

• Presentation Software: PowerPoint, Keynote, or similar for presenting concepts and reports.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design assets are managed and distributed within a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system or a project management platform could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is creative software proficiency. However, for a manager role, understanding how design integrates into broader marketing and business systems is increasingly important.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful design that meets rigorous brand standards.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively with cross-functional teams, valuing diverse perspectives, and contributing to a positive team environment.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas and creative solutions, while balancing them with commercial realities and brand strategy.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for design projects, driving them to completion, and owning the outcomes.

• Consumer Focus: Designing with the end consumer in mind, ensuring relevance and appeal.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and transparent feedback loops are encouraged.

• A style that balances strong creative leadership with a willingness to listen and incorporate input from various stakeholders.

• Proactive engagement with Brand, Marketing, and Global Design teams to ensure alignment and avoid surprises.

• A culture of shared learning and continuous improvement in design processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's culture, as a major CPG player, will emphasize results, collaboration, and brand integrity. The operational aspect of this role means contributing to a culture of efficient execution and reliable delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Constraints: Navigating strict brand guidelines, legal requirements, and production limitations while still producing innovative and compelling designs.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Aligning diverse opinions and priorities from Brand, Marketing, Legal, Global Design, and Production teams.

• Speed-to-Market Pressures: Delivering high-quality design solutions within tight deadlines common in the fast-paced CPG industry.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring a unified visual identity across a broad product portfolio and various markets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to attend workshops or training on emerging design software, AI in design, or new visualization techniques.

• Brand Strategy Exposure: Deeper involvement in understanding brand positioning, market dynamics, and consumer insights, enhancing strategic design thinking.

• Leadership & Management Skills: Development in areas such as team leadership, project management methodologies, and cross-functional stakeholder management.

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of global design trends, packaging innovations, and consumer behavior shifts within the beverage sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: These challenges are typical for design leadership roles in large corporations, requiring both creative problem-solving and robust operational management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex brand design project you managed from concept to final production. What were the key operational challenges and how did you overcome them?"

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different product lines and markets while still allowing for creative expression?"

• "Walk us through your process for receiving and incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders, particularly when there are conflicting opinions."

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about PepsiCo's beverage portfolio and how would your design approach contribute to our brand's success?"

• "How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and consumer preferences in the beverage industry?"

• "Describe a time you had to adapt your design approach due to unexpected market changes or new insights. What was your process?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, following the project lifecycle. Use clear headings for objectives, process, solution, and results.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased sales, improved brand perception, faster production).

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use high-quality visuals of your work. For process, use flowcharts or visual representations of your workflow.

• Be Concise and Engaging: Respect the time of the interviewers. Highlight your most impactful work and be prepared to elaborate on specific projects.

• Demonstrate Operational Acumen: Clearly articulate your role in project management, resource allocation, and decision-making processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating both creative vision and operational execution. Candidates need to demonstrate how they manage processes, people, and projects to deliver successful design outcomes.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the PepsiCo Jobs portal.

• Curate a focused operations-centric portfolio: Ensure your portfolio showcases not just creative work but also your project management process, how you handle stakeholder alignment, and the impact of your designs. Prepare to discuss your workflow and decision-making.

• Optimize your resume: Highlight keywords related to project management, brand execution, cross-functional collaboration, and specific design software proficiency. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare a concise presentation: Rehearse presenting 2-3 key portfolio projects, focusing on the operational aspects of your involvement and the tangible business outcomes.

• Research PepsiCo's Beverage Brands: Understand their current market position, recent campaigns, and target audiences. This will enable you to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest and strategic thinking.

⚠️ 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.