Graphic & Design Manager (w/m/d)
📍 Job Overview
Job Title: Graphic & Design Manager (w/m/d)
Company: AIYA Europe GmbH
Location: Wien, Austria
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Marketing & Design Operations
Date Posted: April 16, 2026
Experience Level: Mid-level (2-5 years)
Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Role Summary
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Oversee the creation and execution of compelling visual assets for all internal and external communication channels, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence.
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Drive creative concept development for a diverse range of marketing materials, from digital campaigns and social media content to print collateral and event branding.
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Play a pivotal role in the strategic rebranding of the KISSA Tea brand, translating brand vision into engaging visual executions.
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Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure design solutions align with business objectives and align with brand guidelines.
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Manage the end-to-end design process, including image editing, print-ready file preparation, and coordination with production partners to maintain high-quality output.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Graphic & Design Manager" with a focus on visual content creation and brand consistency. While not a traditional Revenue Operations or Sales Operations role, it has significant overlap with Marketing Operations by managing visual assets that support GTM strategies, sales enablement materials, and brand perception. The emphasis on rebranding, digital campaigns, and sales collateral indicates a strong connection to GTM execution.
📈 Primary Responsibilities
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Conceptualize, design, and implement graphic and visual content for all internal and external communication channels, including social media, presentations, advertising, brochures, POS materials, and event collateral.
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Develop creative design concepts for online and offline materials, ensuring a consistent and high-quality brand appearance for AIYA Europe and its subsidiary KISSA Tea.
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Prepare visual content for digital campaigns, sales enablement materials, product communication, and employer branding initiatives.
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Translate stakeholder briefs into effective visual solutions by working closely with internal teams and external partners.
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Support the ongoing rebranding of the KISSA Tea brand by creating and implementing new visual identity elements.
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Manage image editing, final artwork preparation (Reinzeichnung), and print data creation, coordinating with printing houses and production partners.
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Proactively contribute innovative ideas, monitor design trends, and help evolve the brand's visual identity to be modern and premium.
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Ensure all design output adheres to brand guidelines and contributes to the overall marketing and sales objectives.
📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a hands-on design role with strategic input, particularly in the context of rebranding and supporting sales/marketing efforts. The mention of "Sales-Unterlagen" (sales documents) and "Produktkommunikation" (product communication) directly links this role to GTM support functions typically managed within a broader operations framework.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education:
Experience:
Required Skills:
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Proven proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite, with particular strength in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
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Excellent understanding of layout, typography, visual language, color theory, and brand aesthetics.
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Ability to work independently, with a structured and precise approach, coupled with strong creative initiative.
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Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain organization under tight deadlines.
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Strong team player with excellent communication skills and openness to feedback.
Preferred Skills:
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Experience with Canva, Figma, PowerPoint, or similar digital design and presentation tools.
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Familiarity with content management systems (CMS) or marketing automation tools.
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Experience in image editing, print production processes, and creating print-ready artwork.
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Previous involvement in rebranding projects.
📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for multiple years of experience and a degree suggests a mid-level to senior designer role. The emphasis on Adobe Creative Suite, layout, typography, and brand aesthetics are core competencies for any creative professional. The preferred skills indicate a desire for a candidate who can adapt to various digital tools and contribute to modern marketing workflows.
📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
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A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong foundation in graphic design principles, including layout, typography, and color theory.
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Tangible examples of creative concept development and execution across various media (digital and print).
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Demonstrations of visual content designed for marketing campaigns, social media, and sales enablement materials.
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Evidence of contributions to brand consistency and successful application of brand guidelines.
Process Documentation:
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Ability to document design processes, from initial concept to final asset delivery, ensuring clarity for stakeholders.
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Examples of how design workflows are managed to ensure efficiency and timely delivery of assets.
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Understanding of the print production process, including preparation of print-ready files and coordination with external vendors.
📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on graphic design and brand management, a strong portfolio is paramount. This section infers the need for a portfolio that not only displays aesthetic talent but also demonstrates the candidate's ability to execute on strategic marketing and sales objectives through design. The "Process Documentation" aspect is crucial for a "Manager" role, implying an ability to streamline creative workflows.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- The advertised annual salary is a minimum of €45,000 gross per year for a full-time position.
Benefits:
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Personal Weiterbildungsbudget: A dedicated budget of €500 per year for personal professional development.
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Wiener Linien Jahreskarte: An annual public transport pass for Vienna, promoting sustainable commuting.
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Aiya Card: A monthly meal allowance of €50, provided from the 7th month of employment.
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International Team: Opportunity to work within a diverse, international team with short decision-making paths.
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Onboarding and Coaching: Tailored onboarding and coaching program designed to support individual starting points and facilitate quick integration.
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MyClub Credits: Credits to be used for fitness activities, encouraging employee well-being.
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Free Matcha: Unlimited access to free matcha tea throughout the workday.
Working Hours:
- The position is full-time, with standard working hours expected to be around 40 hours per week.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary information is clearly stated as a minimum, with potential for higher compensation based on qualifications. The benefits package is quite comprehensive, with a focus on employee well-being, professional growth, and daily perks like free matcha, which aligns with the company's product. The mention of "short decision-making paths" suggests an agile and efficient operational environment.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: Premium Matcha Green Tea Manufacturing and Distribution. AIYA Europe GmbH is the European arm of Japan's largest premium Matcha manufacturer, with over 135 years of experience. Their subsidiary, KISSA Tea GmbH in Vienna, focuses on importing and distributing high-quality Matcha for the European market, serving both industrial and retail consumers. They are IFS Broker certified as of January 1, 2021.
Company Size: AIYA Europe GmbH is part of a larger global organization. The specific size of the European operation or the Vienna office is not explicitly stated, but the mention of an "international team" and "short decision-making paths" suggests a dynamic, potentially mid-sized operation where individual contributions are highly visible.
Founded: AIYA has over 135 years of experience in tea production globally. AIYA Europe has been importing Matcha for over 20 years, and the KISSA Tea GmbH subsidiary in Vienna was established or became operational in relation to their European market expansion.
Team Structure:
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The role is part of the KISSA Tea GmbH branch in Vienna.
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It will involve working within an "international team" with "short decision-making paths," implying a relatively flat hierarchy and direct access to decision-makers.
Methodology:
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Data-Driven Brand Evolution: While primarily a creative role, the expectation to observe trends and develop the brand visually suggests an approach that considers market data and consumer insights to inform design decisions.
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Process-Oriented Workflow: The need for structured work, project management under tight deadlines, and print production coordination implies a methodical approach to design execution.
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Collaborative Ideation: The emphasis on working with stakeholders and being open to feedback highlights a collaborative methodology for idea generation and refinement.
Company Website: AIYA Europe GmbH website | KISSA Tea website
📝 Enhancement Note: The company's heritage in premium tea production and its focus on the European market through KISSA Tea GmbH provide a strong brand context. The culture appears to value expertise, innovation, and efficiency, with a global reach but localized operations in Vienna. The IFS Broker certification indicates a commitment to quality and safety standards in their supply chain.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This is a mid-level to senior "Graphic & Design Manager" role. It implies a level of autonomy and responsibility beyond entry-level design positions. The "Manager" title suggests leadership in design execution, project oversight, and potentially guiding junior designers or freelancers in the future. The role is expected to contribute significantly to visual strategy and brand perception.
Reporting Structure: The candidate will report to a manager within the KISSA Tea GmbH operations in Vienna. Given the "international team" and "short decision-making paths," direct interaction with senior leadership is likely.
Operations Impact: The Graphic & Design Manager's impact is crucial for the visual representation of the AIYA Europe and KISSA Tea brands. This includes:
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Enhancing brand recognition and recall through consistent, high-quality visual assets.
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Supporting sales enablement by creating compelling collateral for the sales team.
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Driving engagement and conversions through effective digital and social media designs.
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Strengthening employer branding to attract talent.
Growth Opportunities:
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Specialization in Premium Brand Design: Deepen expertise in designing for a high-end, international brand within the premium food and beverage sector.
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Rebranding Leadership: Gain significant experience and recognition by playing a key role in a major brand rebranding initiative.
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Cross-Functional Project Management: Develop skills in managing complex design projects that integrate with broader marketing, sales, and product development initiatives.
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Potential for Team Leadership: As the company grows, there may be opportunities to lead a design team or manage external creative agencies more extensively.
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Skill Expansion: Opportunity to broaden technical skills with preferred tools like Figma and CMS platforms.
📝 Enhancement Note: The "Manager" title signifies a step up from a pure design role, requiring project management and strategic thinking. The growth opportunities focus on building specialized experience within a niche industry and contributing to significant brand initiatives.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" in Vienna. The description does not specify if it's a traditional office, a co-working space, or a retail-adjacent location, but it implies a dedicated workspace within the AIYA Europe GmbH / KISSA Tea GmbH operations.
Office Location(s): The office is located at Stiftgasse 6/1/2, 1070 Wien, Austria. This is in a central district of Vienna, likely offering good accessibility via public transport.
Workspace Context:
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Collaborative Environment: The role involves working closely with internal stakeholders and an international team, suggesting a collaborative workspace that fosters idea exchange.
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Tools and Technology: Access to the Adobe Creative Suite is essential, and familiarity with other digital tools like Canva, Figma, and PowerPoint is preferred, indicating a modern digital workspace.
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Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with colleagues from various departments, enabling a holistic understanding of business objectives and design's role in achieving them.
Work Schedule: The position is full-time, implying a standard 40-hour work week. While not explicitly stated, the emphasis on "freedom and own responsibility" and "no 08/15 routine" might suggest some flexibility in daily scheduling, provided deadlines are met and collaboration needs are satisfied.
📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Vienna emphasizes the need for local presence and direct team collaboration. The location in a central district is a positive point for accessibility. The environment is likely dynamic and collaborative, supporting the creative and project management aspects of the role.
📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
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Application Submission: Submit a CV and a mandatory application video via the provided link.
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Initial Screening: Review of CV and application video to assess qualifications, experience, and creative approach.
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First Interview: Likely a discussion with the Recruiter (Max Noack) to cover general fit, motivation, salary expectations, and start date. This may also involve a brief portfolio overview.
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Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A more in-depth session, possibly with the hiring manager or design team lead, to present and discuss the candidate's portfolio. This could include a practical design task or case study presentation related to rebranding or marketing collateral.
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Final Interview: Meeting with key stakeholders or senior management to assess cultural fit, strategic thinking, and overall suitability for the role and company.
Portfolio Review Tips:
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Showcase Rebranding Impact: Include examples of how your design work has contributed to brand evolution or successful rebranding efforts. Highlight the "before and after" and the strategic thinking behind the changes.
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Demonstrate Versatility: Present a range of work across different media (digital ads, social media graphics, print collateral, presentations) to show adaptability.
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Quantify Impact Where Possible: For any marketing or sales-related designs, try to articulate the impact (e.g., increased engagement, improved clarity of sales materials, successful event promotion).
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Detail the Process: For key projects, walk through your design process – from understanding the brief to concept development, execution, and final delivery, including any challenges overcome.
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Tailor to KISSA Tea: Research KISSA Tea's current branding and competitor landscape. Prepare examples that align with or demonstrate an understanding of premium beverage branding.
Challenge Preparation:
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Rebranding Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical rebranding task for KISSA Tea or a similar product. Think about how you would approach the visual identity, key design elements, and application across different touchpoints.
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Sales Collateral Design: Expect to be asked to design a simple sales sheet or presentation slide that effectively communicates a product's value proposition. Focus on clarity, impact, and brand consistency.
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Social Media Campaign: Prepare to outline how you would design a series of social media posts for a new product launch or a specific campaign. Consider platform nuances and engagement strategies.
📝 Enhancement Note: The mandatory application video is a key differentiator, requiring candidates to prepare a concise and compelling presentation of their skills and motivation. The portfolio review is critical, and candidates should be ready to discuss their process and the strategic intent behind their designs, especially in relation to brand development and sales support.
🛠 Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
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Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for creating a wide range of graphic assets.
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Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity is preferred, suggesting the role might involve updating website content or managing digital assets.
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Marketing Automation Tools: Preferred experience indicates an understanding of how design integrates into broader marketing workflows and campaigns.
Analytics & Reporting:
CRM & Automation:
Other Preferred Tools:
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Canva: Useful for quick social media graphics or internal presentations.
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Figma: Increasingly popular for UI/UX design and collaborative prototyping, its preference suggests a modern design approach.
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PowerPoint: Standard for creating presentations, which are explicitly mentioned as a design output.
📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on design software. The inclusion of preferred tools like Canva and Figma suggests a need for a designer who is adaptable to both established and emerging design platforms, and who can work efficiently in a digital-first environment.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
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Quality & Craftsmanship: Aligned with AIYA's heritage in producing premium Matcha, the company likely values high standards, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence in all aspects, including design.
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Innovation & Creativity: The role's emphasis on bringing new ideas and observing design trends suggests a culture that encourages creative thinking and pushing boundaries.
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Collaboration & Teamwork: The need to work closely with internal and external stakeholders highlights the importance of strong communication and collaborative problem-solving.
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Efficiency & Precision: Managing multiple projects under tight deadlines and ensuring print-ready files points to a value placed on structured work, efficiency, and accuracy.
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Brand Stewardship: A core value would be the dedication to maintaining and enhancing the premium brand image through thoughtful and consistent visual communication.
Collaboration Style:
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Cross-Functional Integration: Designers will need to collaborate closely with marketing, sales, and possibly product development teams to ensure design outputs align with business goals.
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Feedback-Driven Improvement: The company culture appears to be open to feedback, implying a process of iterative design and continuous improvement based on input from various parties.
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Knowledge Sharing: Working within an international team and having short decision-making paths may encourage informal knowledge sharing and a dynamic exchange of ideas.
📝 Enhancement Note: The company values likely reflect a blend of traditional quality (from its Japanese heritage) and modern business practices (European operations). A designer here would need to be both aesthetically driven and operationally minded, understanding how their creative output contributes to business success.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
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Balancing Brand Heritage with Modern Aesthetics: Effectively integrating AIYA's long-standing premium heritage with contemporary design trends for the European market, especially during a rebranding.
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Managing Diverse Stakeholder Needs: Translating varied requirements from different internal departments and external partners into cohesive visual solutions.
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Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Channels: Ensuring a unified brand voice and visual identity across a wide array of digital and print materials, especially under tight deadlines.
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Adapting to Evolving Digital Platforms: Staying current with the latest design trends and platform requirements for social media, web, and digital advertising.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
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Deep Dive into Premium Branding: Gaining specialized expertise in designing for the high-end food and beverage sector, understanding the nuances of luxury brand aesthetics.
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Rebranding Project Experience: Developing significant project management and strategic design skills through direct involvement in a major brand rebranding initiative.
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Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learning how design integrates with broader marketing, sales, and operational strategies within an international business context.
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Tool Proficiency Enhancement: Opportunity to master tools like Figma and potentially explore UI/UX principles if the role expands.
📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a brand-focused design role, particularly during a rebranding phase. The growth opportunities are strong, offering specialized industry experience and significant project ownership.
💡 Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
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Brand Evolution: "How would you approach the rebranding of KISSA Tea, considering its heritage and the need for a modern European appeal? What are the key steps you'd take?"
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Design for Sales: "Imagine we're launching a new premium matcha product. How would you design a sales sheet or presentation to effectively communicate its unique selling points and premium quality to potential B2B clients?"
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Problem Solving with Design: "Describe a time you had to translate a complex or vague brief into a clear and impactful visual solution. What was your process, and what was the outcome?"
Company & Culture Questions:
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Brand Alignment: "What aspects of AIYA's premium Matcha brand resonate most with you, and how would you ensure your designs reflect that quality?"
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Team Collaboration: "How do you typically collaborate with marketing or sales teams to ensure your designs meet their objectives? Can you provide an example?"
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Trend Adoption: "How do you stay updated on design trends, and how do you decide which trends are appropriate for a premium brand like ours versus those that might dilute its image?"
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
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Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear narrative for each project, starting with the challenge or brief, your creative process, the final solution, and the impact or outcome.
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Highlight Rebranding Work: Dedicate significant time to any rebranding or brand evolution projects. Explain your strategic thinking and the rationale behind your design choices.
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Showcase Versatility: Ensure your presentation includes examples of designs for different platforms (social media, print, digital ads, presentations) to demonstrate adaptability.
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Focus on KISSA Tea Context: Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience can directly benefit KISSA Tea, perhaps by offering quick visual concepts or critiques relevant to their current branding.
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Video Integration: Since a video is required for application, be ready to refer to it or expand on points made within the video during the interview.
📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing both creative talent and strategic thinking. Candidates should be ready to articulate their design philosophy, demonstrate understanding of brand management, and highlight their ability to execute on business-driven design projects.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Graphic & Design Manager position:
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Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided link on the AIYA Europe jobs portal to submit your application.
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Prepare Your Application Video: Create and submit a mandatory application video along with your CV. This video is a prerequisite for being invited to an interview. Focus on showcasing your personality, key skills, and motivation for the role.
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Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and highlights relevant work, particularly in areas of branding, digital marketing, and print collateral. Be ready to discuss your process and strategic intent for each piece.
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Tailor Your CV: Optimize your CV to clearly articulate your years of experience, proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, and any specific achievements related to design management or rebranding.
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Research AIYA Europe & KISSA Tea: Familiarize yourself with the company's history, product offering (premium Matcha), and current brand presence. Understand their market position and identify opportunities where your design skills can add value.
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Practice for Design Challenges: Prepare for potential design exercises or case studies that might involve rebranding concepts, sales collateral design, or social media campaign visuals.
⚠️ 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.
Application Requirements
The ideal candidate has several years of relevant professional experience and a degree in graphic, media, or communication design. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and a strong sense of typography, layout, and brand aesthetics are essential.