Graphic Designer (Packaging & Merch)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (Packaging & Merch)

Company: Hire Overseas

Location: Nigeria

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-05-25

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: 100% Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the end-to-end visual design process for physical consumer products, bridging creative ideation with production-ready outputs for packaging and merchandise.

• You will be instrumental in shaping the on-shelf presence and brand representation of food and beverage CPG brands, requiring a strong understanding of material substrates and manufacturing processes.

• The position demands meticulous attention to detail in applying brand guidelines, print specifications, and dieline requirements to diverse product formats.

• Success in this role hinges on the ability to manage a portfolio of projects concurrently, ensuring consistent brand integrity and timely delivery of high-quality design assets for both packaging and promotional merchandise.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the core job title is "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on "Packaging & Merch" and the detailed responsibilities clearly place this role within a specialized operational design function, particularly relevant to Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies for consumer packaged goods (CPG). The requirement for production-ready files and understanding print specifications elevates it beyond typical screen-based graphic design.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design captivating packaging for a variety of food and beverage products, including labels, cans, bottles, boxes, and pouches, ensuring alignment with brand identity.

• Develop compelling designs for branded merchandise such as apparel, accessories, and promotional items, adapting brand elements across diverse substrates and product types.

• Translate brand briefs into print-ready production files, meticulously adhering to specific print requirements, dieline constraints, bleed specifications, and manufacturing standards.

• Apply fundamental design principles, including strong layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and color systems, to ensure brand consistency and market appeal across all deliverables.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams and clients throughout the iterative design process, managing revisions and ensuring final assets meet all technical and creative objectives.

• Maintain an organized and accessible system for managing all design files and assets, ensuring efficient retrieval and version control.

• Support broader brand identity initiatives by contributing to logo design, color palette development, and typography selection when required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative execution and technical production oversight, common in operations roles supporting product launches and brand management. The emphasis on "print-ready production files" and "dieline requirements" is critical for operations professionals to understand.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Proven experience in designing packaging for food, beverage, or CPG brands is a prerequisite.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple brand projects simultaneously, from concept to final production-ready files.

Required Skills:

• Packaging Design: Expertise in creating visually appealing and functional packaging solutions for diverse product types.

• Merchandise Design: Proficiency in adapting brand identities to various merchandise, including apparel and promotional items.

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Strong command of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop for design creation and manipulation.

• Print Production Knowledge: Deep understanding of print specifications, dielines, bleed, color separation, and production processes for physical goods.

• Typography & Layout: Excellent skills in applying typography, layout principles, and visual hierarchy to create effective designs.

• Brand Consistency: Ability to maintain and enforce brand identity, visual consistency, and color systems across all projects.

• File Management: Organized approach to file management and asset organization for efficient workflow and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Figma: Familiarity with Figma for collaborative design workflows and prototyping.

• Emerging CPG Brand Experience: Experience working with startup or emerging CPG brands, understanding their unique needs and growth trajectories.

• Consumer Goods/Retail Background: Exposure to the broader consumer goods or retail industries.

• Minority-Owned/Culturally Driven Brands: Experience designing for brands with specific cultural or minority-driven missions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize practical, production-oriented skills crucial for operations roles that interface with manufacturing and product development. The inclusion of Figma as a "nice to have" indicates a potential for more integrated digital workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Comprehensive Case Studies: Showcase at least 4-6 distinct examples of packaging and merchandise design work, ideally across multiple brands or product categories to demonstrate versatility.

• Production-Ready File Examples: Include examples or descriptions of how you deliver final production files, demonstrating an understanding of technical specifications.

• Brand Application: Clearly illustrate how you have applied brand identities across different packaging formats and merchandise items.

• Problem/Solution Focus: For at least one key project, detail the initial brief, the design challenges, and how your solutions addressed them, leading to a successful production outcome.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design: Demonstrate an understanding of the design workflow from brief ingestion, concept development, client feedback loops, to final production file handover.

• Dieline & Specification Adherence: Provide evidence of your ability to work within and correctly interpret packaging dielines and technical specifications.

• Asset Management: Showcase organized file structures and naming conventions for design assets, reflecting efficient project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio isn't just about aesthetics; it's about demonstrating process, technical understanding, and the ability to deliver production-ready assets that integrate seamlessly into manufacturing and GTM workflows. The emphasis on a Loom video adds a communication and presentation skills layer to the evaluation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the role's 100% remote nature, mid-level experience (2-5 years), and location in Nigeria, a competitive salary range for a Graphic Designer specializing in Packaging & Merch would typically fall between $20,000 - $35,000 USD annually. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for remote design roles in emerging markets and the specific skill set required for CPG packaging production.

• Note: This is an estimated range. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's experience, the specific client project, and Hire Overseas's compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off: In accordance with company policy, providing opportunities for rest and rejuvenation.

• Holiday Observance: Paid time off for company-recognized holidays, aligning with global or local standards as applicable.

• 100% Remote Setup: Freedom to work from any location, enhancing work-life balance and productivity.

• USD Bi-Monthly Payments: Salary paid in USD every 15th and 30th of the month, offering currency stability.

Working Hours:

• The role is full-time, with an expected workload of approximately 40 hours per week. Specific daily schedules may offer some flexibility to accommodate different time zones and personal productivity peaks, but consistent availability for collaboration is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on the provided location (Nigeria), remote nature, and the specialized skill set. USD payment is a significant benefit for international contractors. The working hours are standard for full-time employment.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

Company Size:

Founded:

Team Structure:

• Talent Acquisition Team: Responsible for sourcing, vetting, and onboarding candidates like yourself.

• Client Success/Account Management: Acts as the liaison between Hire Overseas's clients and the placed talent, ensuring project alignment and satisfaction.

• Operations/Admin Support: Manages payroll, compliance, and other administrative aspects of international employment.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: You will likely collaborate closely with client teams (marketing, product development, operations) and potentially with other designers or creatives managed by Hire Overseas.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Matching: Employing technology and human insight to match candidate profiles with client requirements.

• Streamlined Onboarding: Efficient processes for bringing new talent onto client projects.

• Client-Centric Service: Prioritizing client needs and project success through effective talent placement and support.

Company Website: https://hireoverseas.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context is crucial for understanding the operational framework. Hire Overseas acts as an intermediary, meaning your direct client is often a CPG firm, but your employer relationship is with Hire Overseas. This impacts communication channels and administrative processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

Reporting Structure:

Operations Impact:

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific CPG categories (e.g., beverages, snacks) or product types (e.g., rigid packaging, flexible packaging, apparel).

• Client Exposure: Gain experience with a diverse range of CPG brands, from emerging startups to established players.

• Skill Expansion: Potentially move into roles with broader brand strategy responsibilities or explore adjacent design disciplines if opportunities arise.

• Project Leadership: As experience grows, you may have opportunities to lead design initiatives or mentor junior designers on client projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the career path within a design operations context is key. This role serves as a critical production hub for GTM efforts, offering significant exposure to the commercial aspects of product design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• 100% Remote: This role offers a fully remote work environment, allowing you to establish your own productive workspace.

Office Location(s):

Workspace Context:

• Self-Managed Environment: You are responsible for setting up a dedicated, ergonomic workspace conducive to focused design work and reliable internet connectivity.

• Digital Collaboration Tools: Expect to utilize various digital platforms for communication, project management, and file sharing (e.g., Slack, Teams, Asana, Google Workspace).

• Client Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with client teams, fostering a collaborative but remote working relationship.

Work Schedule:

• The standard full-time work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. While the remote setup offers flexibility, adherence to agreed-upon project deadlines and availability for critical meetings and real-time collaboration with both Hire Overseas and client teams is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote nature requires strong self-discipline and proactive communication. Understanding the need for reliable internet and a professional home office setup is crucial for operational success.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit resume, portfolio link, and Loom video.

• Video Introduction (Loom): A 1-2 minute video introducing yourself, detailing a proud packaging project from brief to production-ready file, and explaining your approach. This is a critical filter.

• Role-Specific Assessment: Potentially a design exercise or case study to evaluate practical skills and problem-solving abilities relevant to packaging and merchandise design.

• Recruitment Interview: Screening with the Hire Overseas talent team to assess general fit, communication skills, and understanding of the role.

• Executive Interview: Interview with Hire Overseas senior leadership to discuss career aspirations, alignment with company values, and overall professional background.

• Client Interview: Final interview with the actual client team you would be supporting, focusing on specific project needs, creative style, and collaborative potential.

• Background & Reference Check: Verification of professional references.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest packaging and merchandise design projects. Ensure variety in product type and brand aesthetic.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your design process, challenges faced, and how you arrived at the final production-ready files. Use visuals to demonstrate concept development, iterations, and final output.

• Highlight Production Expertise: Explicitly mention your understanding of dielines, print specifications, bleed, and color modes. If possible, show examples of how you prepared files for specific printing methods.

• Loom Video Focus: Practice your Loom video. Be concise, enthusiastic, and clearly walk through one project, emphasizing your problem-solving and production readiness. This is your chance to show personality and direct communication skills.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If any of your designs led to successful product launches or positive market reception, mention it.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand CPG Dynamics: Familiarize yourself with current trends in food, beverage, and CPG packaging design.

• Dieline Practice: Be prepared to discuss how you interpret and work with dielines.

• Brand Adaptation: Practice adapting a given brand identity to different packaging or merchandise formats quickly.

• Technical Acumen: Be ready to discuss print production processes, material considerations, and file preparation for various manufacturing techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on the Loom video and a production-focused portfolio is paramount. Candidates must demonstrate not just design skill but also operational readiness for physical product creation.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector-based packaging design, dieline creation, and logo work.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image manipulation, mockups, and raster-based design elements for packaging and merchandise.

• Adobe InDesign: May be used for layout of multi-page brand guides or retail-ready documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Figma (Preferred): Useful for collaborative design, prototyping, and potentially for team-wide design system management if adopted by the client.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira for managing project timelines and tasks.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The core toolset is standard for packaging designers. Figma is a valuable addition, indicating a modern design team that may leverage collaborative digital tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Production Excellence: A commitment to delivering high-quality, technically sound, and production-ready design assets on time.

• Brand Integrity: Upholding and enhancing brand identity and visual consistency across all client projects.

• Client Focus: Prioritizing client needs, feedback, and project success through effective collaboration and delivery.

• Efficiency & Agility: Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and adapt quickly to evolving client requirements and market trends.

• Professionalism: Maintaining clear communication, reliability, and a proactive approach in a remote work setting.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First: Expect a collaborative environment that relies heavily on digital communication tools and asynchronous work, supplemented by scheduled video calls for key discussions and reviews.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Working closely with client marketing, product development, and potentially operations teams to ensure design aligns with business objectives and manufacturing constraints.

• Feedback-Oriented: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback to refine designs and improve workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize the operational aspects of design: reliability, technical accuracy, and client satisfaction, which are critical in a GTM context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Client Needs: Adapting to varied brand aesthetics, client expectations, and project scopes across different CPG categories.

• Technical Production Hurdles: Navigating complex print specifications, dieline variations, and material limitations for diverse packaging types.

• Remote Collaboration Dynamics: Ensuring clear communication and seamless project progression in a fully remote setting, across different time zones.

• Maintaining Work-Life Balance: Establishing clear boundaries in a 100% remote role to prevent burnout.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Trends: Staying abreast of CPG packaging and merchandise design trends, sustainable packaging solutions, and innovative printing technologies.

• Software Proficiency: Mastering advanced features within Adobe Creative Suite and potentially exploring new design tools like Figma.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing skills in client communication, presentation, and project advocacy.

• Specialized CPG Knowledge: Gaining deeper insights into the food and beverage industry, regulatory requirements, and consumer behavior related to packaging.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges often highlight areas where operational efficiency and proactive problem-solving are key. Growth opportunities point to paths for skill enhancement relevant to design operations.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through a packaging project where you had to work with complex dielines or specific print limitations. How did you ensure the final design was production-ready?" (Focus on technical process, problem-solving, and file prep).

• "Describe a time you had to adapt a brand identity across multiple merchandise items. What was your approach to maintaining brand consistency while considering different substrates?" (Focus on brand application and versatility).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with CPG brands, specifically in packaging and merchandise design?" (Show genuine enthusiasm for the sector).

• "How do you ensure your work remains consistent with a brand's identity, even when designing for diverse formats?" (Demonstrate brand stewardship).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: For your chosen project in the Loom video and portfolio, frame it as a narrative: the client's challenge, your design solution, the execution process, and the successful outcome (production-ready files).

• Visual Clarity: Ensure all portfolio images are high-resolution and clearly showcase your design work. Use mockups effectively to demonstrate how the design looks on the final product.

• Technical Detail: Be prepared to verbally explain the technical aspects of your chosen project – the dieline, bleed, color modes, file format, and any specific print considerations.

• Conciseness: Respect the time of the interviewers. Be direct and articulate, especially in the Loom video.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both creative talent and operational competence – the ability to deliver accurate, production-ready assets that meet business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in packaging design, CPG, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator/Photoshop), print production, dielines, and merchandise design. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure it clearly showcases 4-6 examples of packaging and merchandise design, demonstrating your ability to work with different brands and product types. Include a clear indication of your role and contributions.

• Prepare Your Loom Video: Practice introducing yourself and walking through one packaging project, emphasizing the brief, your design process, and the delivery of production-ready files. Be concise and engaging.

• Research Hire Overseas & CPG Trends: Understand Hire Overseas's business model and familiarize yourself with current trends in food, beverage, and CPG packaging design to demonstrate your industry awareness.

⚠️ 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.