Design Manager - SALT

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager - SALT

Company: Independent Food Company

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-04-21

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Oversee and manage the comprehensive visual identity of the SALT brand across all digital and physical touchpoints, ensuring unwavering consistency and exceptional quality.

• Lead the design development for brand experience and marketing campaigns, translating creative vision into clear, scalable, and high-impact visual outputs.

• Act as the central liaison between Brand, Marketing, and Procurement teams, ensuring seamless alignment on materials, specifications, and production requirements for all design implementations.

• Drive design excellence in physical brand touchpoints, including packaging, in-store branding, signage, uniforms, and activations, ensuring feasibility, scalability, and production readiness.

• Develop and maintain robust brand design guidelines, templates, and toolkits to empower consistent execution across all internal teams and external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for maintaining brand integrity and visual cohesion across a multi-concept hospitality group, emphasizing the need for a candidate with strong understanding of both creative execution and practical production, particularly within the F&B and retail sectors.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and meticulously manage the brand’s visual identity across all platforms and touchpoints, including campaigns, branches, packaging, social media, and activations, serving as the final quality control gatekeeper.

• Guide and mentor internal designers and external agencies, providing structured feedback, refining creative outputs, and ensuring work translates effectively across various formats, from social media to real-life applications.

• Lead the design development process for brand experience and marketing campaigns, ensuring all visual assets are aligned across digital, physical, and in-store channels within established timelines.

• Ensure all designs are practical, readable, and functionally effective across diverse applications, adapting outputs to perform optimally in all formats and placements.

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Brand, Marketing, and Procurement teams, aligning on materials, specifications, and production requirements, and collaborating with design finalizers to resolve execution challenges.

• Oversee the design implementation across all physical brand touchpoints, including packaging, in-store branding, signage, uniforms, and activations, ensuring all outputs are feasible, scalable, and production-ready.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive brand design guidelines, templates, and toolkits to ensure consistent execution across all teams, and organize design assets for easy accessibility and scalability.

• Proactively identify inconsistencies and gaps in design execution across channels and branches, refine workflows to enhance efficiency, and stay abreast of emerging design trends and tools relevant to the brand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for end-to-end design ownership, from conceptualization and creative direction to production oversight and quality assurance, requiring a blend of artistic sensibility and operational execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Marketing, or a closely related field.

Experience: 4–7 years of progressive experience in design, branding, or creative roles, with a demonstrated history of managing design projects and teams.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to manage and guide internal designers and external creative agencies, providing constructive feedback and direction.

• Strong proficiency in both digital design applications (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite for social media, web assets) and physical design applications (e.g., print production, packaging design).

• Experience in developing and maintaining comprehensive brand design guidelines, templates, and toolkits to ensure brand consistency.

• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams including Brand, Marketing, and Procurement.

• A sharp eye for detail with the capacity to balance creative ambition with practical, real-world execution and production feasibility.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience within the Food & Beverage (F&B), hospitality, retail, or lifestyle brand sectors.

• Experience working directly with production, suppliers, or in packaging design and manufacturing.

• Exposure to leading brand-led campaigns and executing multi-channel design strategies.

• Ability to translate brand direction into clear, scalable, and high-quality design systems.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies to ensure timely delivery of design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on F&B/hospitality/retail experience suggests a need for understanding of fast-paced consumer environments and specific production constraints common in these industries. Experience with production and suppliers is highly valued for bridging the gap between creative and execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct projects demonstrating end-to-end brand visual identity management, from concept to execution.

• Include examples of design system development and application across multiple touchpoints (digital, physical, social).

• Present case studies of brand campaigns where you led design development and ensured cross-channel consistency.

• Highlight projects involving packaging design, in-store branding, or other physical touchpoints, detailing your role in production oversight.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of workflow optimization for design projects, illustrating how you improved efficiency or quality.

• Showcase how you have managed feedback loops and revisions with designers and stakeholders.

• Illustrate your approach to ensuring design feasibility and scalability for production.

• Detail your process for quality control and final approval of design assets before release.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is paramount for this role, requiring candidates to demonstrate not just creative talent but also a robust understanding of process, production, and brand consistency management, particularly within a dynamic consumer-facing industry.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: AED 18,000 - 28,000 per month (approx. USD 4,900 - 7,600 per month).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.

• Paid annual leave and public holidays in accordance with UAE labor law.

• Opportunities for professional development and training in design and brand management.

• Access to employee discounts across Independent Food Company brands.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Contribution to end-of-service gratuity as per UAE regulations.

Working Hours: Standard 40-hour work week, likely Monday to Friday, with potential for occasional weekend work or extended hours during campaign launches or critical production phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in Dubai, considering the cost of living and the specific demands of the F&B/hospitality sector in the UAE. Benefits are typical for the region and industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Lifestyle Brands. The Independent Food Company operates within a highly competitive and dynamic F&B market in the UAE, known for its rapid growth and innovation. This context means design must be both trend-aware and consistently aligned with brand identity to capture consumer attention and loyalty.

Company Size: Part of a growing hospitality group with multiple distinct brands (SALT, Shalwa, Kumo, Parker's, Somewhere, Public). This indicates a structure that likely balances centralized support with brand-specific autonomy, offering opportunities for broad exposure.

Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company has established multiple successful home-grown concepts, suggesting a mature yet agile organization with a strong track record in brand development and market penetration.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a broader creative or marketing department, potentially reporting to a Head of Visual Design or Creative Director.

• They will manage a team of internal designers and external agencies, coordinating their efforts on various brand projects.

Methodology:

• A data-informed approach to design, leveraging consumer insights and market trends to inform creative decisions.

• Emphasis on iterative design processes, allowing for feedback and refinement from concept through to production.

• Strong focus on operationalizing creative output, ensuring designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and cost-effective for widespread implementation.

• Commitment to brand consistency and quality control as a core operational principle.

Company Website: https://independent-food-company.breezy.hr

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "unique home-grown food concepts" suggests a culture that values creativity, innovation, and a hands-on approach to brand building. The multi-brand structure implies a need for adaptable design strategies that can cater to diverse brand identities while maintaining a cohesive organizational vision.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a mid-to-senior level management position within the creative and brand operations function. It requires a blend of creative leadership, project management, and operational execution skills, bridging the gap between creative strategy and tangible brand experiences. The role is crucial for scaling brand presence and maintaining quality across numerous physical and digital touchpoints.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will report to a senior creative lead (e.g., Head of Visual Design or Creative Director) and will have direct reports (internal designers) and manage external agency relationships. This structure offers exposure to senior leadership and opportunities to influence creative direction.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, revenue through consistent and compelling visual communication. Effective design management ensures brand recognition, drives foot traffic to branches, enhances product appeal through packaging, and strengthens digital presence, all contributing to the company's commercial success.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as F&B branding, retail design, or digital experience design within a growing portfolio.

• Leadership: Progress to a Creative Director role, overseeing design strategy for multiple brands or the entire group.

• Cross-functional Development: Gain broader exposure to marketing strategy, procurement, and operations management by leading complex cross-functional design initiatives.

• Innovation: Lead the development of new design systems and brand experiences for emerging concepts within the Independent Food Company portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers significant growth potential within a rapidly expanding hospitality group, providing opportunities to shape brand identity at a strategic level and advance into more senior creative leadership positions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Dubai, suggesting a professional office environment within the Independent Food Company's headquarters or a dedicated creative hub. This fosters direct collaboration and team synergy.

Office Location(s): Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This vibrant city offers a dynamic professional landscape and a hub for global hospitality and retail trends.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative workspace designed to facilitate interaction between creative teams, marketing, and brand management.

• Access to industry-standard design software and potentially a digital asset management system.

• Opportunities for site visits to branches, production facilities, and event activations to understand real-world application and gather insights.

• A stimulating environment that encourages creative thinking and problem-solving within a fast-paced industry.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, aligning with typical business hours in Dubai. However, the nature of the F&B and hospitality industry may necessitate flexibility, with potential for occasional evening or weekend work to meet project deadlines, attend events, or oversee critical production runs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Dubai emphasizes the company's value for in-person collaboration and direct oversight of creative execution within a hands-on industry.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and relevant experience.

• Portfolio Presentation: A presentation of your design work, focusing on key projects that demonstrate your ability to manage brand identity, lead creative execution, and oversee production across various touchpoints. Be prepared to discuss your design process, problem-solving approach, and impact.

• Skills Assessment: Interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., Head of Visual Design, Marketing Director) to evaluate your understanding of brand strategy, creative direction, production management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Case Study/Challenge: You may be asked to complete a design challenge or case study related to SALT's brand or a specific marketing campaign to assess your practical application of skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Cultural Fit Interview: An opportunity to discuss your work style, leadership approach, and how you align with the Independent Food Company's values and culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your experience in brand identity management, campaign design, and physical production oversight. Prioritize F&B, hospitality, or retail examples if available.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions you implemented, and the measurable outcomes or impact.

• Showcase Breadth: Include examples of both digital and physical design applications, as well as your experience with brand guidelines and production coordination.

• Highlight Production: If possible, include visuals or explanations related to packaging, signage, or other physical assets, detailing your involvement in the production process.

• Be Concise: Present your work clearly and efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the SALT brand, its current visual identity, and its market position.

• Prepare to articulate how you would approach a specific design challenge related to a new campaign, packaging update, or in-store experience.

• Practice presenting your ideas concisely, justifying your creative decisions with strategic rationale and an understanding of production constraints.

• Be ready to discuss how you would manage feedback and collaborate with various teams to bring a design concept to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily rely on the candidate's portfolio, requiring them to demonstrate not just creative prowess but also a strong understanding of brand strategy, operational execution, and the ability to manage complex projects from conception to tangible output.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for all graphic design tasks, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and potentially After Effects for motion graphics.

• Procreate/Sketchbook: For initial ideation and digital sketching.

• Figma/Sketch: For digital design, UI/UX aspects, and potentially design system development.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing workflows, deadlines, and team tasks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Social Media Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with native platform analytics (Instagram Insights, Facebook Analytics) to understand design performance.

• Brand Performance Dashboards: Ability to interpret data from broader marketing or brand dashboards to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM, understanding how design assets integrate with marketing automation platforms or digital campaign tools may be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with design system tools like Figma and project management software will significantly enhance a candidate's effectiveness in managing multiple projects and teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Excellence: A relentless pursuit of high-quality, consistent, and impactful visual representation for all brands.

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraging new ideas and approaches to design that keep brands fresh and engaging in a competitive market.

• Collaboration & Communication: Fostering a team environment where open dialogue, constructive feedback, and cross-functional synergy are paramount.

• Efficiency & Practicality: Balancing creative ambition with feasible execution, ensuring designs are production-ready, scalable, and cost-effective.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the end consumer in mind, ensuring experiences are intuitive, appealing, and memorable.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with Brand, Marketing, Procurement, and Operations teams to ensure design alignment and successful implementation.

• Feedback-Driven: Embracing a culture of constructive feedback to refine designs and improve processes.

• Proactive Problem-Solving: Identifying potential design or production challenges early and collaborating to find effective solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Willingness to share design best practices, templates, and insights across teams to elevate overall brand execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely values a blend of creative flair and operational rigor. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of how design contributes to business objectives and be adept at working collaboratively within a multi-brand hospitality group.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring strict adherence to brand guidelines across a growing number of touchpoints, campaigns, and potentially new brand launches.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Production Constraints: Translating innovative design concepts into feasible, scalable, and cost-effective physical and digital outputs within tight deadlines and budgets.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholders: Effectively coordinating feedback and approvals from various internal teams (Brand, Marketing, Operations) and external partners (agencies, suppliers).

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Keeping brand visuals relevant and engaging in a fast-paced F&B and lifestyle market, while ensuring designs remain timeless and aligned with core brand identity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software & Techniques: Opportunities to master new design tools, motion graphics, or digital experience design principles.

• Brand Strategy & Management: Deeper immersion into brand positioning, market analysis, and strategic brand development within the hospitality sector.

• Production & Supply Chain: Gaining hands-on experience with packaging manufacturing, print production, and supplier management.

• Leadership Development: Training in team management, project leadership, and strategic creative direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents opportunities to tackle complex brand challenges in a dynamic industry, offering a steep learning curve and significant potential for professional growth in creative leadership and operational design management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing and maintaining brand design guidelines for a multi-concept brand portfolio. How do you ensure adoption and consistency across different teams?"

• "Walk us through a challenging project where you had to balance a bold creative vision with significant production constraints or budget limitations. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?"

• "How do you approach managing external design agencies and internal designers to ensure high-quality, on-brand outputs delivered on time?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of SALT and the Independent Food Company, what do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for the brand's visual identity moving forward?"

• "How do you foster a collaborative and innovative environment within a design team and across cross-functional departments?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or brand, clearly stating the objective, your role, the execution, and the results for each.

• Narrative: For each key project, tell a compelling story that highlights your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and creative process.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, present metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success of your design work (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand perception, successful product launch).

• Showcase Breadth: Ensure your presentation covers your proficiency in both digital and physical design, as well as your experience with production and brand guideline management.

• Brand Alignment: Be prepared to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with the Independent Food Company's mission and the specific identities of its brands, particularly SALT.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to articulate not just their design skills but also their strategic thinking, project management capabilities, and understanding of how design drives business outcomes in the competitive F&B and hospitality sector.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Independent Food Company's careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight projects that best demonstrate your experience in brand identity management, campaign design, and physical production oversight, especially within the F&B, hospitality, or retail sectors.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your 4-7 years of progressive experience, management of designers/agencies, and proficiency in both digital and physical design applications. Use keywords like "brand identity," "visual communication," "production management," and "cross-functional collaboration."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, problem-solving approach, and the impact of your work. Be ready to present your portfolio and discuss how you would approach challenges specific to the SALT brand.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research the Independent Food Company and its brands (SALT, Kumo, Parker's, etc.) to understand their market position, brand aesthetics, and company culture. Prepare thoughtful questions to demonstrate your engagement and interest.

⚠️ 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.

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