Design Manager, Europe

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager, Europe

Company: Sazerac Company

Location: 60 Marina Place, Hampton Wick, KT1 4BH, United Kingdom (London)

Job Type: OTHER

Category: Marketing Operations / Brand Management / Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-26

Experience Level: 6-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead visual brand building and retail design strategy across Europe for a portfolio of over 40 brands.

• Manage the end-to-end retail design process, encompassing off-premise, on-premise, eCommerce, and B2B channels.

• Develop and mentor an in-house design team, while also managing external overflow vendor relationships.

• Refine and optimize cross-functional processes to support global market expansion and brand growth.

• Drive strategic brief interpretation and ensure high-quality execution of visual assets for marketing and advertising platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean towards operationalizing creative output within a marketing and sales context, particularly in retail and shopper marketing. This role bridges creative strategy with operational execution, making it highly relevant to operations professionals seeking to leverage design and brand management within a Go-To-Market framework. The focus on process refinement, vendor management, and team development aligns with core operations functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the strategic development and execution of visual brand assets for retail print and display initiatives across the European market.

• Lead the ideation and creation of key visuals and brand worlds for emerging priority brands, ensuring strategic alignment with marketing objectives.

• Manage all aspects of the retail design process, from initial brief to final deliverable, for off-premise, on-premise, eCommerce, and B2B retail partners.

• Drive the expansion and capacity building of the in-house design team, fostering skill development and operational efficiency.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with external design and production vendors, ensuring seamless overflow capacity and quality control.

• Refine and document cross-functional processes involving marketing, sales, production, and legal teams to enhance collaboration and efficiency as the team expands globally.

• Ensure all retail creative assets comply with legal and regulatory requirements specific to different European markets.

• Collaborate closely with marketing and sales teams to translate strategic briefs into compelling visual executions that drive shopper engagement and brand perception.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process management, vendor oversight, and cross-functional collaboration, which are critical components of effective Go-To-Market (GTM) operations. The role requires not just creative direction but also the operational leadership to ensure consistent brand execution across diverse retail environments and markets.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Advertising, or a closely related field; equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Experience: 6–10 years of progressive experience in retail design, shopper marketing, brand design, or creative leadership roles, with a proven track record of managing multiple brands and projects simultaneously.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in retail campaigns, display systems, and multi-channel visual storytelling, evidenced by a strong portfolio.

• Proven ability to lead complex projects across multiple brands and marketing channels, balancing strategic vision with meticulous executional detail.

• Deep understanding of retail production processes, including display system fabrication, print production methodologies, and effective vendor management.

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to articulate creative concepts and operational plans clearly.

• Experience in managing and mentoring creative teams within a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.

• Proven success in collaborating effectively with cross-functional stakeholders, including marketing, sales, production, and external agency partners.

• Strategic thinking capabilities to translate client briefs into impactful visual solutions.

• Proficiency in managing external vendor relationships and ensuring quality output. Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with eCommerce retail content creation standards and digital shopper marketing asset development.

• Insight into shopper behavior, retail strategy principles, and the creation of seamless omnichannel brand experiences.

• Experience within the consumer packaged goods (CPG), spirits, beverage alcohol, or adjacent lifestyle industries.

• Experience managing retail creative execution across international or multi-market business landscapes.

• Experience navigating legal and regulatory frameworks for retail compliance and market-specific requirements.

• Proven ability in building or scaling in-house creative capabilities and optimizing operational workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of creative expertise and operational acumen. The requirement for a strong portfolio demonstrating retail campaigns and display systems, combined with experience in vendor management and cross-functional collaboration, positions this role as one requiring robust operational process knowledge within a creative domain.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing expertise in retail design, including print collateral, display systems, and in-store activations.

• Demonstrations of multi-channel visual storytelling across various retail environments (off-premise, on-premise, eCommerce).

• Case studies highlighting the strategic development and execution of key visuals and brand worlds for priority brands.

• Evidence of project leadership across multiple brands and channels simultaneously, with clear articulation of strategic rationale and executional detail.

• Documentation of experience managing external vendor relationships for production and creative overflow.

• Examples of process refinement or optimization initiatives undertaken in previous roles. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow design and optimization for creative production pipelines, particularly for retail assets.

• Documentation of processes for managing retail production, including print, display systems, and digital assets.

• Evidence of experience in refining cross-functional collaboration processes between creative, marketing, sales, and production teams.

• Case studies detailing how processes were implemented or improved to support global market expansion or increased brand portfolio demands.

• Methodologies for ensuring legal and regulatory compliance within creative execution processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role with significant operational responsibilities, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display creative output but also the applicant's ability to manage processes, collaborate effectively, and drive efficiency within a complex brand portfolio and multi-market environment. The emphasis is on demonstrating how design strategy is operationally executed.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the UK location (London area), experience level (6-10 years), and the hybrid work arrangement, a competitive salary range for a Design Manager in the spirits/CPG industry is estimated between £50,000 - £75,000 per annum. This estimate accounts for London's cost of living and the specialized nature of the role.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs tailored for employees and their families.

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and public holidays, supporting work-life balance.

• Retirement savings plan with potential company matching contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, workshops, and conference attendance.

• Employee assistance program offering confidential counseling and support services.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and recognition programs.

• Product allowances or discounts on Sazerac Company's extensive portfolio of spirits.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, with flexibility to accommodate project deadlines and international collaboration. The role is designated as Hybrid, requiring a balance of in-office presence for team collaboration and strategic meetings, and remote work for focused design and production tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation for the London, UK market, reflecting industry benchmarks for a Design Manager role with 6-10 years of experience in a company of Sazerac's size and industry. Benefits are standard for a large, international company and are tailored to appeal to professionals seeking stability and growth. The hybrid nature indicates a need for strong personal time management and communication skills.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Spirits & Beverage Alcohol (Consumer Packaged Goods - CPG). Sazerac is a significant player with a vast portfolio, implying a dynamic and competitive market environment.

Company Size: Sazerac Company operates globally with a substantial workforce, indicating a well-established organizational structure, robust internal processes, and significant market reach. This size suggests opportunities for career progression and exposure to diverse business functions.

Founded: Founded in 1869, Sazerac has a long and rich history, suggesting a company with deep-rooted values, a commitment to quality, and a stable operational foundation. This heritage often translates into a culture that respects tradition while embracing innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely lead a growing in-house creative team, potentially comprising graphic designers, production artists, and visualizers focused on retail and brand activation.

• This team will report into a senior marketing or brand management function, with strong collaborative links to the European marketing, sales, and production departments.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect, requiring close partnerships with brand managers, sales teams, legal/compliance officers, and external agencies/vendors. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing sales data, market trends, and shopper insights to inform design strategies and measure the effectiveness of retail activations.

• Agile Workflow Planning: Implementing agile methodologies for project management to ensure flexibility, rapid iteration, and timely delivery of creative assets in a fast-paced market.

• Process Automation & Efficiency: Continuously seeking opportunities to automate repetitive design tasks and optimize workflows to increase team capacity and reduce production lead times.

Company Website: http://sazerac.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Sazerac's long history and rapid growth suggest a culture that values both heritage and innovation. For operations professionals, this implies a need for adaptability, a strong understanding of process improvement, and the ability to work within established frameworks while driving forward new initiatives. The company's significant presence in the spirits industry means a keen awareness of market dynamics and regulatory considerations is essential.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level position within the creative operations and brand management spectrum. It is a leadership role that requires managing a team and external resources, with significant responsibility for brand execution across a large portfolio and a key geographic region (Europe). The scope involves strategic input into visual brand development and operational oversight of its implementation.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager likely reports to a Director or Vice President of Marketing, Brand Management, or Creative Services within the European division. The role involves managing direct reports and collaborating extensively with peers in sales, production, and other marketing functions.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's role has a direct impact on Sazerac's revenue by ensuring that visual merchandising and retail activations are compelling, compliant, and effectively communicate brand value to consumers. Strong operational execution of design strategies leads to enhanced brand visibility, increased shopper engagement, and ultimately, improved sales performance in the competitive European spirits market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as eCommerce retail design, international brand rollout, or shopper marketing strategy.

• Leadership Advancement: Progress to a Senior Design Manager, Creative Director, or Head of Brand Marketing roles, potentially overseeing larger teams or broader geographic regions.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Transition into broader Go-To-Market operations roles, brand management, or marketing strategy positions leveraging a strong understanding of creative execution and market implementation.

• Global Exposure: Gain experience in managing creative operations for a global company, with opportunities to contribute to brand strategies in other international markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth, particularly for individuals who can demonstrate not only creative leadership but also strong operational management capabilities. The emphasis on process refinement and team expansion suggests opportunities to build and scale functions, a valuable experience for aspiring operations leaders.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Hampton Wick, UK, likely within a Sazerac UK office. Given the "Hybrid" designation, this office will serve as a hub for team meetings, strategic planning sessions, and collaborative work, while also supporting remote productivity.

Office Location(s): 60 Marina Place, Hampton Wick, KT1 4BH, United Kingdom. This location provides access to the Greater London area, a significant commercial hub in Europe.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office will likely foster a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging interaction among the marketing, sales, and design teams to ensure cohesive brand strategies and execution.

• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, project management tools, and communication platforms will be essential for the team's productivity.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional workshops will be integral to the role, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: The hybrid work schedule allows for a blend of in-office and remote work, typically requiring a set number of days in the office per week (e.g., 2-3 days) to facilitate in-person collaboration. This structure requires strong self-management and effective communication to ensure seamless operations across different work locations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is becoming standard, requiring operations professionals to excel in remote collaboration tools and time management. For this role, it means balancing creative team dynamics with the practicalities of managing projects and people across different work settings.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

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

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in retail design, brand building, team management, and vendor relations, assessing your strategic thinking and leadership style.

• Creative/Portfolio Review: A detailed walkthrough of your portfolio, with a focus on case studies demonstrating your process, problem-solving skills, and impact on retail and brand objectives. Be prepared to discuss your approach to briefs, execution, and any process improvements you've implemented.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from marketing, sales, and potentially production or legal, to evaluate your collaboration skills, understanding of business objectives, and ability to navigate complex stakeholder needs.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, long-term vision, and overall suitability for the role within Sazerac's European operations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your expertise in retail design, display systems, and multi-channel visual storytelling. Prioritize work relevant to the spirits or CPG industry.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your strategic approach, the challenges faced, your solutions, and the measurable impact or results. Highlight any process improvements or operational efficiencies you introduced.

• Demonstrate Leadership: Include examples of managing teams, mentoring designers, or overseeing external vendors.

• Retail Focus: Emphasize your understanding of shopper behavior, retail environments, and the operational considerations of print and display production.

• Conciseness: Present your portfolio in a clear, organized, and concise manner, ready for a focused discussion.

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study Analysis: Be prepared for a potential case study or hypothetical brief that requires you to outline a strategic approach to a retail design challenge for one of Sazerac's priority brands in Europe. Focus on process, stakeholder management, and execution.

• Process Improvement Scenario: Anticipate questions about how you would refine existing cross-functional processes or scale an in-house creative team.

• Brand Strategy Discussion: Familiarize yourself with Sazerac's key brands and their positioning in the European market. Be ready to discuss how design contributes to brand strategy and sales objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will heavily scrutinize both creative vision and operational execution. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate their ability to manage complex projects, lead teams, and optimize processes within a fast-paced, results-driven environment. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign for graphic design and layout. Expertise in Dimension or similar 3D rendering software for display visualization is highly beneficial.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar platforms for task management, workflow tracking, and team collaboration.

• Digital Asset Management (DAM) Systems: Familiarity with DAM solutions for organizing, storing, and distributing creative assets.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for day-to-day communication and team interaction.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Retail Analytics Tools: Understanding of how to interpret data from retail analytics platforms (e.g., Nielsen, IRI) to inform design decisions and measure campaign effectiveness.

• E-commerce Analytics: Familiarity with eCommerce platform analytics (e.g., Amazon Brand Analytics, Shopify) for optimizing digital shopper marketing assets.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience creating or interpreting performance reports and dashboards that track key design and retail metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not directly managing CRM, understanding how design assets integrate with CRM campaigns (e.g., email marketing) is beneficial.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Familiarity with tools or methodologies that can automate aspects of the design or production workflow, increasing efficiency.

• Integration Platforms: Awareness of how creative assets are integrated into various retail and marketing platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a design-focused role, its operational scope necessitates proficiency in project management, collaboration tools, and an understanding of how design assets are utilized and measured across various sales and marketing platforms. The ability to leverage technology for efficiency and effectiveness is key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful visual assets that meet strategic objectives and brand standards, with a focus on operational precision.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing strong relationships with internal marketing, sales, and production teams, as well as external vendors, to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Informed Creativity: Utilizing consumer insights, market data, and performance metrics to guide creative decisions and optimize retail strategies.

• Efficiency & Agility: A drive to continuously improve processes, embrace new technologies, and adapt quickly to market changes and business needs.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep respect for Sazerac's brands and a commitment to upholding their integrity and strategic positioning through compelling visual communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with diverse teams to ensure design initiatives are aligned with broader business objectives, sales targets, and production capabilities.

• Constructive Feedback Culture: Fostering an environment where feedback is shared openly and constructively, leading to continuous improvement of creative output and operational processes.

• Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, industry trends, and technical skills within the design team and across departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Sazerac's culture likely blends a respect for heritage with a drive for modern growth. For operations, this means understanding established processes while being an advocate for innovation and efficiency. The emphasis on collaboration and data-informed decisions is critical for success in a GTM environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Brand Portfolio Complexity: Managing design needs for over 40 brands across diverse categories and markets, requiring strong organizational and prioritization skills.

• European Market Nuances: Navigating varied retail landscapes, consumer preferences, and regulatory requirements across different European countries.

• Balancing In-House & External Resources: Effectively managing the capacity and output of both the internal team and external vendors to meet fluctuating demands.

• Rapid Market Evolution: Keeping pace with fast-changing retail trends, digital shopper marketing, and evolving consumer engagement strategies.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent brand messaging and visual execution across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Retail & Shopper Marketing: Deepen expertise in shopper psychology, retail analytics, and omnichannel strategy.

• Global Brand Management: Gain exposure to international marketing strategies and brand rollout processes.

• Team Leadership & Development: Enhance skills in team building, talent development, and performance management.

• Process Optimization & Automation: Explore and implement new technologies and methodologies to improve creative workflow efficiency.

• Industry Certifications: Pursue relevant certifications in design, marketing, or project management to bolster professional credentials.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for growth by tackling complex operational challenges within a dynamic industry. The ability to manage diverse needs, adapt to new markets, and optimize processes will be key to both personal development and professional advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for translating a complex marketing brief into a cohesive retail design strategy for multiple brands across different European markets." (Focus on process, stakeholder engagement, and strategic rationale.)

• "How have you managed external creative vendors to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery, especially during periods of high demand?" (Highlight vendor management, operational efficiency, and quality control.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to refine or optimize a cross-functional process involving creative, marketing, and sales teams. What was the challenge, your approach, and the outcome?" (Demonstrate process improvement skills and collaborative problem-solving.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Sazerac's brand portfolio and its presence in the European spirits market?" (Show research into the company, brands, and market context.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative and high-performing environment within a creative team, especially in a hybrid work setting?" (Discuss leadership style, team motivation, and operational strategies for hybrid teams.)

• "How do you ensure creative work aligns with legal and regulatory requirements in international markets?" (Emphasize attention to detail, compliance processes, and cross-functional collaboration with legal teams.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Arc: Structure your portfolio presentation around compelling stories for each key project, detailing the challenge, your strategic approach, the operational execution, and the measurable impact.

• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate the steps you took, the tools and methodologies you employed, and how you managed resources (time, budget, people).

• Data Integration: Where possible, quantify the success of your projects with relevant metrics (e.g., increased sales, brand engagement, efficiency gains).

• Cultural Fit: Be ready to discuss how your values and working style align with Sazerac's culture of growth, collaboration, and brand stewardship.

• Future Vision: Express enthusiasm for contributing to Sazerac's European growth and how your skills can drive future success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also strong operational capabilities: process management, team leadership, vendor oversight, and strategic execution within a commercial context. Be ready to articulate your methodologies and the impact of your work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Sazerac Careers EMEA portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest examples of retail design, display systems, multi-channel visual storytelling, and brand world development, with a particular emphasis on consumer packaged goods or spirits industry work.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your experience in leading creative teams, managing external vendors, refining cross-functional processes, and driving brand execution across multiple markets. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your approach to creative briefs, project management, and team leadership, using specific examples from your career. Prepare to discuss your understanding of Sazerac's brands and the European market.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Sazerac Company, its brand portfolio in Europe, and its recent market performance. Understand their commitment to growth and innovation within the spirits industry.

⚠️ 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.

---