Graphic Designer (poppi)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer (poppi)

Company: PepsiCo

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States; Austin, Texas, United States; Plano, Texas, United States; Purchase, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2026-08-24

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on creating visually engaging, high-impact design work across packaging and retail initiatives, encompassing both print and digital mediums.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for translating brand stories into compelling visual assets, ensuring all creative output is on-brand, accurate, and production-ready.

• A key aspect of this position involves upholding and extending established brand guidelines and systems across a diverse product suite and various creative expressions.

• The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional partners, supporting larger creative initiatives while also independently managing select projects from concept to final delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the detailed responsibilities and required skills clearly indicate a specialization in Brand Design and Packaging Production, with a strong emphasis on GTM (Go-To-Market) execution through retail and product packaging. The mention of "poppi" suggests a specific brand or product line within PepsiCo that this role will support, requiring deep brand system understanding.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute high-quality, brand-consistent creative assets for packaging, retail displays, promotional materials, and digital touchpoints, from initial concept through final production.

• Translate creative direction and comprehensive brand guidelines into polished, production-ready design solutions that resonate with target audiences.

• Support packaging concept development by exploring various layouts, design directions, and creative executions under the guidance of senior creative leads.

• Independently lead and manage assigned design projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to project scope, while also contributing effectively to larger team initiatives.

• Thoughtfully apply and extend established brand systems across new product formats, packaging surfaces, and marketing collateral to maintain visual cohesion and brand integrity.

• Execute packaging updates, including ingredient changes, UPC revisions, regulatory compliance adjustments, and layout refinements across multiple product formats and dielines.

• Design and adapt a range of retail assets for both print and digital channels, such as signage, point-of-sale displays, promotional flyers, and marketing collateral.

• Prepare accurate, production-ready files for all packaging and retail deliverables, ensuring correct specifications, dieline integration, asset placement, and meticulous file setup for vendor use.

• Organize and clearly label all design files for efficient use by internal teams, external vendors, and cross-functional partners, facilitating smooth workflow processes.

• Review artwork and proofs rigorously to guarantee accuracy, consistency, and quality before final release, minimizing errors and production issues.

• Ensure all creative assets meet stringent brand, production, and retailer-specific requirements, maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship and detailed execution.

• Own and manage assigned packaging and retail design workflows from intake to final file delivery, utilizing project management tools to track progress.

• Manage tasks, conduct reviews, and monitor revisions/approvals using project management platforms like Asana or Ziflow, ensuring projects move forward efficiently.

• Proactively flag potential risks or production concerns to stakeholders and propose effective solutions to mitigate issues and maintain project timelines.

• Collaborate closely with Senior Designers, Associate Art Directors, and marketing partners to align on project goals, creative direction, and strategic objectives.

• Present design work and rationale clearly and concisely, incorporating feedback effectively to refine creative output and achieve desired outcomes.

• Contribute thoughtful creative input and constructive feedback during team reviews, fostering a collaborative and innovative design environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize the production and execution phases of design, particularly for packaging and retail. This suggests a need for candidates who are not only creative but also highly process-oriented and detail-focused on the technical aspects of design preparation for manufacturing and in-store deployment. The mention of specific tools like Asana and Ziflow points to a structured, project-managed workflow.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this nature, though equivalent professional experience may be considered. Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a significant portion focused on packaging and/or retail design.

• Demonstrated experience in managing design projects from concept through final production, including hands-on file preparation for print and manufacturing.

• Proven ability to work effectively within a fast-paced environment, adapting to changing project requirements and priorities with agility. Required Skills:

• Advanced Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is essential for creating and preparing complex design assets.

• Print Production Workflow Mastery: Deep understanding of CMYK vs. PMS vs. INX color modes, dieline setup, text outlining, image embedding, and vendor-ready file preparation for various printing processes.

• Packaging & Retail Design Expertise: Proven ability to design and execute creative for packaging, retail signage, displays, and promotional materials, ensuring brand consistency and production feasibility.

• Brand System Application: Strong capability to understand, uphold, and extend established brand guidelines and systems across diverse formats and product lines.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous accuracy in file preparation, proofing, and executing updates (e.g., UPCs, ingredients, regulatory text), demonstrating a commitment to pixel-perfect results.

• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in using project management software such as Asana or Ziflow for task tracking, workflow management, and revision control.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present work, receive feedback constructively, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Digital Design Experience: Familiarity with preparing assets for digital retail touchpoints or online marketing campaigns.

• Microsoft Suite Proficiency: Competence with Microsoft Word and Excel for documentation, tracking, and basic data handling.

• Vendor Interaction: Experience in preparing files for and communicating with external print vendors and manufacturers.

• Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to propose innovative solutions to design challenges and production constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "print and production workflows" and "vendor-ready file prep" indicates that this role requires a technically proficient designer, not just a conceptual artist. The "hunger to learn" and "willingness to learn from others" suggests a strong emphasis on growth and a collaborative team environment where junior designers are expected to develop rapidly.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Production-Ready File Examples: Showcase examples of packaging dielines, print-ready files, and meticulously prepared assets for retail displays, demonstrating an understanding of technical specifications.

• Brand System Application Case Studies: Include projects where you successfully applied and extended brand guidelines across multiple products or campaign elements, highlighting your ability to maintain visual cohesion.

• Retail & Packaging Design Showcase: Present a diverse range of packaging designs and retail marketing collateral that illustrate your creative execution and understanding of production constraints.

• Process Documentation Samples (Optional but Recommended): If available, include examples of how you've documented design processes, workflows, or file organization strategies.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Demonstrate an understanding of efficient design workflows, from concept brief to final file delivery, and how you optimize these processes for speed and accuracy.

• Implementation and Automation Methods: Highlight any experience with implementing design assets into project management systems or utilizing tools for workflow automation where applicable.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: While not explicitly stated for design, showing how you've contributed to successful project outcomes through meticulous execution or by ensuring brand compliance can imply an understanding of performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Graphic Designer role with a strong production focus, the portfolio should heavily lean towards demonstrating technical proficiency and an understanding of the end-to-end design-to-production lifecycle. Case studies should emphasize problem-solving related to production challenges and successful brand system implementation rather than purely conceptual creative exploration.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $80,700 - $95,000 annually.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer with 3+ years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Los Angeles, Austin, Plano, or Purchase, NY, especially within a large CPG company like PepsiCo. Regional cost of living and industry benchmarks were considered, aligning with the provided range. Factors such as confirmed job-related skills, extensive experience, and educational background will influence the final starting salary offered.

Bonus:

• A bonus based on performance is offered, with an eligibility target payout of 5% of the annual salary, paid out annually. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision insurance coverage, Disability insurance, Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA), and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts.

• Employee Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counseling and support services.

• Insurance: Accident insurance, Group Legal insurance, and Life insurance policies.

• Retirement Savings: Defined Contribution Retirement

Plan to support long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) subject to eligibility, including:

  • Paid Parental Leave

  • Vacation days

  • Sick leave

  • Bereavement leave Working Hours:

• The standard working hours for this full-time position are typically 40 hours per week.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is on-site, the fast-paced nature of CPG design and production might necessitate occasional flexibility to meet critical deadlines, especially around product launches or regulatory changes.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage / Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

Company Size: PepsiCo is a global leader in convenient foods and beverages, employing over 300,000 people worldwide, indicating a large, established corporate structure with extensive resources and established processes.

Founded: Founded in 1965 through the merger of Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola, PepsiCo has a long history of innovation and brand building. This heritage influences a culture that values both tradition and forward-thinking creativity.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team Aspect 1: The design team likely consists of specialized roles, including Senior Designers, Associate Art Directors, and potentially junior designers, working within a larger marketing or creative department.

• Operations Team Aspect 2: Reporting is to an Associate Art Director, indicating a clear hierarchical structure within the creative function, with direct collaboration expected with marketing and brand managers.

• Operations Team Aspect 3: Close collaboration is expected with cross-functional partners, including brand managers, marketing teams, product development, legal, and external vendors, requiring strong communication and partnership skills.

Methodology:

• Operations Process 1: Data-driven insights are likely used to inform design decisions, particularly regarding consumer preferences, market trends, and the effectiveness of previous campaigns or packaging.

• Operations Process 2: Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially concerning the management of multiple design projects, revisions, and production timelines for a high-volume CPG environment.

• Operations Process 3: While primarily a design role, an awareness of automation in file management or design asset libraries, and efficiency practices in production file preparation, would be beneficial.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's culture is characterized by a blend of large corporate structure, brand legacy, and a drive for innovation in the fast-paced CPG market. For a designer, this means working within established brand frameworks while contributing to exciting new product launches and marketing initiatives. The "poppi" brand affiliation suggests a focus on specific, potentially newer or more agile, product lines within the larger organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This Graphic Designer role is positioned at an intermediate level (2-5 years experience). It requires independent project execution and a strong grasp of production workflows, moving beyond foundational design tasks to managing specific project streams within larger initiatives. The role is crucial for the Go-To-Market (GTM) success of products, ensuring visual appeal and brand integrity from concept to shelf. Reporting Structure:

• The designer will report directly to an Associate Art Director, indicating a clear line of mentorship and creative oversight. This structure provides opportunities for learning from experienced creative leaders while contributing to the team's overall output. Operations Impact:

• The role has a direct impact on the perceived value and marketability of PepsiCo's products, particularly the "poppi" brand. High-quality, on-brand packaging and retail assets are critical for consumer attraction, sales conversion, and maintaining brand equity in a competitive CPG landscape. Effective design execution directly supports revenue generation and market share. Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Develop expertise in specialized areas such as packaging production, CPG brand systems, and retail marketing design, potentially leading to Senior Designer or Art Director roles.

• Industry Learning: Gain exposure to the dynamics of the Food & Beverage CPG industry, understanding market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive brand strategies.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success in project ownership and collaboration, opportunities may arise to mentor junior designers or lead smaller creative projects. Continued development in strategic design thinking and cross-functional influence can pave the way for leadership positions within PepsiCo's creative teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within PepsiCo's creative department, particularly for designers who excel in production and brand stewardship within the CPG sector. The emphasis on "poppi" could also lead to opportunities within specialized brand teams.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• This is an on-site role, indicating a traditional office environment within PepsiCo facilities in Los Angeles, Austin, Plano, or Purchase. This setup facilitates in-person collaboration, team synergy, and direct access to necessary resources. Office Location(s):

• Los Angeles, California: A major hub with a vibrant creative scene.

• Austin, Texas: A growing tech and creative center.

• Plano, Texas: Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, a significant corporate location.

• Purchase, New York: PepsiCo's global headquarters, offering a large corporate campus environment.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should consider the specific office location's accessibility and local cost of living when evaluating the salary range.

Workspace Context:

• Workspace Aspect 1: The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with opportunities for spontaneous brainstorming, team meetings, and direct interaction with colleagues and managers.

• Workspace Aspect 2: Designers will have access to industry-standard design software and hardware, likely including high-performance workstations and access to comprehensive Adobe Creative Suite licenses.

• Workspace Aspect 3: The environment encourages regular interaction with cross-functional teams (marketing, brand, product development), fostering a holistic understanding of product development and Go-To-Market strategies.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time position.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: Given the fast-paced nature of CPG and potential for urgent retail or packaging updates, some flexibility may be required to meet critical deadlines. This could involve occasional overtime or adjusted hours to ensure timely project completion.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Process Step 1: Initial screening of applications and resumes, with a strong emphasis on the candidate's portfolio showcasing relevant packaging and retail design experience. Applicants should ensure their portfolio is easily accessible and highlights their best production-ready work.

• Process Step 2: A potential creative challenge or case study related to packaging or retail design to assess problem-solving skills, creative execution under constraints, and understanding of brand guidelines. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured approach to design problems.

• Process Step 3: Interviews with the hiring manager (Associate Art Director) and potentially other team members or cross-functional partners to evaluate technical skills, creative thinking, collaboration style, and cultural fit within PepsiCo's creative department.

• Process Step 4: Final interviews may involve presenting a portfolio walkthrough and discussing specific projects, demonstrating how their skills align with the role's requirements and PepsiCo's brand objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Portfolio Curation: Select 5-8 strong projects that best represent your skills in packaging, retail design, and production file preparation. Ensure each project clearly states your role and contributions.

• Process Improvement Case Studies: For relevant projects, briefly outline the design challenge, your creative process, the production considerations, and the final outcome. Quantify results if possible (e.g., successful launch, adherence to tight deadlines).

• Metrics Presentation: While direct ROI metrics are less common for designers, focus on demonstrating efficiency (e.g., streamlined file prep), accuracy (e.g., error-free production files), and successful brand application.

• Company-Specific Considerations: Research PepsiCo's current branding, recent campaigns, and the "poppi" brand specifically. Tailor your presentation to show how your design approach aligns with their aesthetic and business goals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Typical Exercise Format: Expect tasks that involve adapting existing designs to new formats, creating a series of retail assets based on a brief, or troubleshooting a design production issue.

• Time Management: Practice working within timed constraints, focusing on delivering a complete, polished response that addresses all aspects of the prompt.

• Stakeholder Communication: Be prepared to articulate your design rationale, justify your creative choices, and explain how your solutions meet the project objectives and brand requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will heavily weigh the portfolio's ability to demonstrate practical design skills and production readiness. Candidates should prepare to discuss not just the aesthetic of their work, but the technical execution and problem-solving involved in bringing designs to life in a commercial setting.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency required in Photoshop (image manipulation, photo retouching), Illustrator (vector graphics, logo design, packaging die-lines), and InDesign (layout, text-heavy documents, retail collateral).

• Microsoft Suite: Competence in Word (documentation), Excel (tracking, basic data management), and PowerPoint (presentations) is expected.

• Project Management Tools: Direct experience with Asana or Ziflow is explicitly mentioned, indicating their use for task management, workflow tracking, and proofing.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary focus for this design role, an understanding of how design impacts sales metrics or campaign performance may be beneficial. Familiarity with basic reporting dashboards used by marketing teams could be an advantage. CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM or automation tool requirements are specified for this design role, indicating the focus is on creative production tools and project management systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily geared towards creative production and workflow management. Proficiency in the core Adobe Suite and project management tools like Asana/Ziflow is non-negotiable and will be a key part of the evaluation process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Brand Stewardship: A deep respect for brand guidelines and a commitment to maintaining visual consistency and integrity across all creative outputs.

• Craftsmanship & Precision: A dedication to high-quality execution, meticulous attention to detail, and a focus on producing polished, production-ready assets.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A willingness to work effectively with others, share ideas openly, and contribute positively to a team environment.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for projects from start to finish, meeting deadlines, and proactively addressing challenges.

• Adaptability & Resilience: The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, embracing change and readily shifting priorities as needed.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with marketing, brand management, and product development teams, requiring clear communication and the ability to translate creative vision into business objectives.

• Process Review Culture: A culture of constructive feedback and iterative design, where designers are encouraged to share their work, receive input, and refine their designs.

• Knowledge Sharing: A collaborative environment where designers share insights, best practices, and support each other in achieving team goals and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo likely fosters a culture that balances a structured corporate environment with the dynamism of the CPG market. For designers, this means being both a reliable executor of brand standards and an innovative contributor to creative initiatives.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Brand Integrity with Creative Expression: The primary challenge will be to uphold strict brand guidelines while still producing fresh, engaging, and innovative creative for packaging and retail.

• Managing Multiple Projects and Deadlines: In a fast-paced CPG environment, juggling numerous projects with competing deadlines for different product lines or campaigns will require excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• Navigating Production Nuances: Ensuring designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also technically feasible for production across various print methods and substrates requires constant attention to detail and understanding of manufacturing limitations.

• Adapting to Evolving Brand Needs: Staying current with market trends, consumer preferences, and evolving brand strategies for "poppi" and other PepsiCo products will be an ongoing challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in packaging design, print production, and brand system management within a leading CPG company.

• Industry Exposure: Gain invaluable experience in the Food & Beverage industry, understanding Go-To-Market strategies and consumer engagement.

• Mentorship and Leadership: Opportunities to learn from senior creative leaders and potentially mentor junior designers, developing leadership capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to a high-volume, brand-driven design role. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a clear path for a designer to become a specialist in CPG branding and production.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you ensure brand consistency across multiple design projects and how you approach translating brand guidelines into tangible creative assets.

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Explain how you manage feedback from multiple stakeholders, including marketing and brand teams, and how you ensure project alignment.

• Problem-Solving: Discuss a time you encountered a production challenge with a design and how you resolved it, focusing on your process and the outcome.

Company & Culture Questions:

• Company Operations Culture: Research PepsiCo's mission, values, and recent marketing campaigns, particularly for the "poppi" brand. Be ready to articulate why you are a good cultural fit.

• Operations Team Dynamics: Discuss your preferred collaboration style and how you contribute to a positive and productive team environment.

• Operations Impact Measurement: While direct metrics are rare for designers, be prepared to discuss how your design work contributes to brand perception, product appeal, and ultimately, sales success.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Process Improvement Case Study Structure: For 2-3 key projects, structure your presentation to include: Project Brief -> Your Role & Challenges -> Design Process & Creative Solutions -> Production Considerations -> Final Outcome & Key Learnings.

• Metrics Presentation: Focus on demonstrating accuracy, efficiency in file preparation, successful adherence to brand guidelines, and positive feedback received.

• Interactive Demonstration: Be ready to walk through specific files (e.g., a dieline setup, a print-ready retail asset) to showcase your technical skills and attention to detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating a blend of creative talent, technical production knowledge, and strong interpersonal skills. Candidates should be ready to "show, not just tell" their capabilities through their portfolio and case study presentations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the PepsiCo careers portal.

• Concrete Preparation Step 1: Customize your resume to highlight your 3+ years of graphic design experience, specifically emphasizing packaging, retail design, and production workflow skills. Use keywords from the job description such as "Adobe Creative Suite," "print production," "dieline setup," and "brand guidelines."

• Concrete Preparation Step 2: Curate your portfolio to showcase your strongest 5-8 projects relevant to packaging and retail design. Ensure each project clearly demonstrates your technical proficiency, attention to detail, and ability to work within brand systems. Include examples of production-ready files if possible.

• Concrete Preparation Step 3: Prepare a concise presentation of 2-3 key portfolio pieces. Be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced, how you executed production-ready files, and any positive outcomes. Practice articulating your rationale clearly and concisely.

• Concrete Preparation Step 4: Research PepsiCo, its brands (especially "poppi"), and its recent marketing efforts. Understand the company's values and the general culture of the CPG industry to better align your application and interview responses.

⚠️ 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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