Graphic Designer - SDS

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - SDS

Company: METRO/MAKRO

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Job Type: Contract

Category: Operations - GTM Creative Services / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-04

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for supporting Go-To-Market (GTM) initiatives by developing high-impact, production-ready packaging designs that align with brand strategy and market demands.

• The Graphic Designer will leverage advanced knowledge of print production and material adaptation to ensure exceptional quality across diverse packaging formats, acting as a key contributor to operational efficiency in creative output.

• This position requires a proactive approach to process optimization within the design workflow, aiming to enhance both efficiency and the quality of deliverables for METRO/MAKRO's global operations.

• The role includes a mentorship component, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing within the design team, thereby strengthening the overall operational capacity of the creative services function.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the raw job description lists "Graphic Designer," the emphasis on "packaging design," "production-ready," "printing knowledge," "material adaptation," "content consistency," "customer collaboration," "quality assurance," "mentorship," and "process optimization" strongly indicates a role deeply embedded within the operational aspects of creative services, directly supporting GTM and marketing operations. The company's description as an "internal solution partner" further supports this operational focus.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Packaging Design Execution: Conceptualize and produce innovative, production-ready packaging designs that strictly adhere to brand guidelines, regulatory requirements, and specific market needs for various METRO/MAKRO product lines.

• Print Production & Material Expertise: Apply comprehensive knowledge of diverse printing techniques (e.g., offset, digital, flexographic) and material properties to ensure seamless, high-quality output across a range of packaging types, including boxes, pouches, and labels.

• Design Adaptation & Consistency: Customize and adapt existing design assets and templates to various packaging formats, ensuring consistent brand messaging, visual identity, and adherence to style guides across all creative materials.

• Client & Stakeholder Collaboration: Effectively interpret customer briefings, manage client feedback loops, and incorporate revisions promptly to meet project timelines and ensure client satisfaction, demonstrating strong GTM support capabilities.

• Quality Control & Pre-press Readiness: Conduct rigorous quality assurance checks on all designs, verifying accuracy, resolution, color consistency (CMYK/Pantone), bleed, trim, and die-line preparation to guarantee print-readiness and minimize production errors.

• Mentorship and Team Development: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior designers, facilitating knowledge transfer regarding pre-press, print production, and design best practices to enhance the team's collective operational effectiveness.

• Workflow Improvement Initiatives: Proactively identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the packaging and print design workflows, proposing and implementing process optimizations to improve output speed, quality, and resource utilization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to highlight the operational nuances of packaging design, emphasizing production readiness, quality control, and process optimization, aligning with the role's likely function within a marketing or GTM operations context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: GD Art/BFA/MFA/BDS/MDS or any Equivalent Degree in Designing.

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in pre-press packaging design and production.

Required Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite Proficiency: Expert-level command of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, essential for creating and manipulating complex design files.

• Pre-press Expertise: Deep understanding of pre-press processes, including color management (CMYK, Pantone), bleed setup, trapping, and die-line preparation for various printing methods.

• Print Production Knowledge: Comprehensive familiarity with offset, digital, and flexographic printing techniques, including their specific requirements and limitations for different substrates.

• Packaging Design Fundamentals: Proven ability to create visually appealing and functionally sound packaging designs for diverse product categories.

• Material Adaptation Skills: Experience in adapting designs for various packaging materials (paperboard, films, plastics) and formats (boxes, pouches, labels, cartons).

• Content & Brand Consistency: Ability to meticulously follow and apply style guides, brand guidelines, and templates to ensure cohesive visual output.

• Quality Assurance Acumen: Strong attention to detail for error-free deliverables, ensuring accuracy in specifications, copy, and design elements.

• Time Management & Deadline Adherence: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet tight production deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Effective Communication: Clear and concise communication skills for collaborating with internal teams, global stakeholders, and incorporating feedback efficiently.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for documentation, reporting, and collaboration.

Preferred Skills:

• Workflow Optimization Experience: Demonstrated experience in identifying and implementing improvements to design and production workflows.

• Mentorship Capabilities: Previous experience or aptitude for guiding and developing junior team members.

• File-Sharing Platform Proficiency: Familiarity with platforms like SharePoint, Dropbox, or similar for efficient file management and collaboration.

• Proactive Learning Mindset: A demonstrated commitment to staying updated on the latest design trends, packaging technologies, and printing innovations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The skills list has been refined to emphasize the "pre-press" and "print production" aspects, which are critical operational components of a packaging design role. Mentorship and process optimization skills are highlighted as they directly contribute to the team's operational capacity.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Packaging Design Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 comprehensive case studies demonstrating end-to-end packaging design projects, from concept to production-ready files.

• Pre-press File Examples: Include examples of print-ready files, highlighting die-lines, bleed, color specifications (CMYK, Pantone), and material considerations.

• Brand Guideline Adherence: Present examples where strict adherence to brand guidelines and style guides was critical for maintaining consistency across various packaging types.

• Workflow Optimization Examples: If possible, include a brief description or visual representation of a process improvement you implemented in a previous role that enhanced design efficiency or output quality.

• Diverse Material/Format Examples: Demonstrate experience with a variety of packaging materials (e.g., cardboard, flexible films, labels) and formats (e.g., rigid boxes, pouches, cartons).

Process Documentation:

• Design Brief Interpretation: Examples of how you translate client briefs and technical specifications into actionable design briefs for execution.

• Quality Assurance Checklists: Familiarity with or examples of personal checklists used to ensure all design elements meet print production requirements before handover.

• Collaboration Workflow: Illustrate how you manage feedback and revisions from multiple stakeholders within a design project lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is tailored to highlight the operational aspects of a design portfolio, focusing on production readiness, process adherence, and demonstrable impact on efficiency and quality, which are key for operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer with 3-5 years of experience in pre-press packaging in Pune, India, the estimated salary range is ₹500,000 - ₹850,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Contractual Role Benefits: As a contract employee, potential benefits may include pro-rated paid time off, health insurance coverage, and adherence to Indian labor laws for contract workers.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for skill enhancement through training on new design software, printing technologies, and potential participation in industry workshops or webinars.

• Global Exposure: Chance to work with a leading international wholesaler, gaining exposure to diverse markets and operational standards across 31 countries.

• Team Collaboration: A supportive team environment fostering knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving within the creative services department.

• On-site Work Environment: Access to a dedicated workspace with necessary design tools and technology, promoting focused work and team interaction.

Working Hours:

The standard working hours are expected to be 40 hours per week, aligning with typical business operations in India. Flexibility may be required during peak periods to meet project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: A salary range has been estimated based on typical market rates for this role and location. Benefits are inferred based on a contract role in India, emphasizing professional growth and operational context.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wholesale and Retail (Food Service Distribution & Metro Markets), with a strong focus on IT and Business Operations support through its Global Solution Centers.

Company Size: 600-650 employees at the MGSC Pune location, part of a global organization with 93,000+ employees. This size indicates a structured environment with established processes, offering opportunities for both specialization and cross-functional exposure.

Founded: 2011. The company has over a decade of experience in providing IT and business operations support, suggesting a mature operational framework and a stable work environment.

Team Structure:

• Creative Services Unit: Likely part of a larger Marketing or GTM operations team, potentially comprising junior designers, specialists, and a team lead or manager.

• Reporting Hierarchy: The role reports to a Design Lead or Marketing Operations Manager, with a clear reporting line for tasks, feedback, and performance reviews.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Regular interaction with Marketing teams, Product Management, Supply Chain, and potentially IT departments to ensure packaging designs meet operational and business objectives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design Support: While primarily creative, the role supports GTM, implying designs are informed by market data, customer feedback, and brand performance metrics.

• Process-Oriented Workflows: Emphasis on structured design processes, workflow optimization, and quality assurance to ensure consistent, efficient output for global operations.

• Agile or Iterative Design: Potential adoption of iterative design processes to incorporate feedback efficiently and adapt to evolving market needs.

Company Website: https://www.metro-gsc.in/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights its role as an "internal solution partner," emphasizing operational support. This context is crucial for understanding the Graphic Designer's function within a larger operational framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Level Specialist. This role is positioned for an individual with a solid foundation in pre-press packaging design who can also contribute to team development and process improvement. It's a step beyond junior execution, requiring strategic thinking about efficiency and quality.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Creative Services within the Marketing Operations or GTM function. This structure allows for guidance on strategic initiatives and operational standards.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the operational success of GTM campaigns by ensuring packaging is visually compelling, brand-compliant, and production-ready, which is critical for product launches and market presence. Efficient design processes reduce lead times and costs associated with production.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization Advancement: Deepen expertise in specific packaging types (e.g., food-grade, luxury goods) or printing technologies.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Take ownership of optimizing specific design workflows, potentially leading small-scale improvement projects.

• Mentorship Development: Enhance leadership skills by formally mentoring junior designers, contributing to team operational capacity.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broader understanding of GTM strategy, supply chain logistics, and marketing campaign operations through collaboration.

• Potential Transition: With demonstrated operational acumen, potential pathways could lead to roles like Senior Designer, Creative Operations Specialist, or GTM Project Manager.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on how this design role contributes to operational efficiency and GTM success, framing growth opportunities within an operations context.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. This suggests a traditional office setting designed for collaborative work and access to specific hardware and software.

Office Location(s): Kharadi, Pune, India. This is a well-established IT and business hub in Pune, likely offering good connectivity and access to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The on-site nature facilitates direct interaction with team members, fostering real-time feedback, knowledge sharing, and a cohesive team dynamic essential for operational alignment.

• Technology Access: Expected access to high-performance workstations, calibrated monitors, and the necessary software licenses (Adobe Creative Suite) optimized for design and pre-press tasks.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for daily stand-ups, design critiques, and collaborative problem-solving sessions directly with colleagues and potentially cross-functional partners.

Work Schedule:

The role is advertised as On-Site, with an implied standard 40-hour work week. While primarily office-based, there may be occasional flexibility required to meet critical project deadlines, a common operational need in creative production environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is framed within the context of operational benefits like collaboration and direct access to resources.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruitment team screens applications for basic qualifications (education, experience, core skills).

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their portfolio, demonstrating proficiency in packaging design, pre-press knowledge, and Adobe Suite skills. This may include a practical design test or a case study presentation.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on specific responsibilities, operational approach, problem-solving skills, and team fit.

• Cross-functional/Team Interview: Potential interview with team members or stakeholders from marketing/GTM to assess collaboration style and understanding of business objectives.

• Final Offer: Based on overall assessment of skills, experience, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Production-Ready Files: Clearly present examples of final artwork files, highlighting technical specifications like die-lines, bleeds, and color profiles.

• Detail Your Process: For each case study, briefly explain your design process, including how you interpreted briefs, incorporated feedback, and ensured print readiness.

• Highlight Problem-Solving: If possible, include a project where you encountered a technical challenge (e.g., material limitation, print issue) and how you resolved it effectively.

• Emphasize Efficiency: If you have examples of workflow improvements or time-saving techniques you employed, be ready to discuss them.

• Tailor to METRO/MAKRO: Research METRO/MAKRO's brand guidelines and packaging examples to demonstrate an understanding of their aesthetic and operational needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Pre-press Knowledge: Be prepared to answer questions about color management, file preparation for different printing methods, and common pre-press issues.

• Design Scenario: You might be given a brief for a new product or a redesign of an existing package and asked to outline your approach, key considerations, and potential challenges.

• Process Improvement Brainstorm: Be ready to discuss general ideas for improving a design workflow in a contract or fast-paced environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview and portfolio review process is detailed with specific advice relevant to a pre-press packaging design role, emphasizing operational aspects like technical readiness and process efficiency.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout, text handling, and creating production-ready print files, especially for multi-page documents or complex packaging structures.

• Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image manipulation, retouching, color correction, and creating raster-based design elements.

• Adobe Illustrator: Primary tool for vector graphics, logo creation, illustration, and precise die-line artwork.

• Microsoft Office Suite: For documentation, reporting, and general business communication (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Analytics & Reporting:

• File Transfer Protocols: Familiarity with FTP, SFTP, or cloud-based file-sharing platforms (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, SharePoint) for efficient and secure delivery of large design files.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management Tools (Potential): May utilize tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira for task management and workflow tracking, depending on team implementation.

• Brand Asset Management (Potential): Exposure to or understanding of digital asset management (DAM) systems for organizing and accessing brand assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for graphic design, with an emphasis on those critical for pre-press and production, aligning with the operational focus of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Precision: A commitment to delivering error-free, high-quality design outputs that meet stringent production standards.

• Efficiency & Speed: A focus on optimizing workflows and turnaround times to support the fast-paced demands of GTM and retail operations.

• Collaboration & Communication: Valuing teamwork, open communication, and the ability to work effectively with diverse global stakeholders.

• Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Embracing new technologies, design trends, and feedback to continuously improve skills and processes.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of the METRO/MAKRO brand, ensuring all creative outputs are consistent and impactful.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with marketing, product, and supply chain teams to ensure designs meet all functional and strategic requirements.

• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An open culture for giving and receiving constructive feedback on designs and processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging team members to share best practices, technical tips, and insights into new industry developments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are framed around operational effectiveness, quality, and teamwork, relevant to a role supporting GTM operations.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Production Constraints: The primary challenge is developing innovative designs that are also technically feasible, cost-effective, and compliant with printing processes and material limitations.

• Managing Global Stakeholder Feedback: Effectively navigating diverse opinions and revision requests from international teams while maintaining design integrity and project timelines.

• Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with rapidly evolving printing technologies, software updates, and sustainable packaging materials requires continuous learning.

• On-site Requirement in a Hybrid World: Adapting to an on-site work model while potentially observing hybrid or remote trends in other parts of the industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Print Techniques Training: Opportunities to deepen knowledge in specialized printing methods or finishing techniques.

• Sustainable Packaging Design: Learning about eco-friendly materials and design strategies for sustainable packaging solutions.

• Software Proficiency Enhancement: Advanced training in Adobe Creative Suite or exploring new design and workflow automation tools.

• Mentorship Program Development: Opportunity to formalize and lead mentorship initiatives within the design team.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth are presented with an operations and GTM context, focusing on practical application and continuous improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex packaging design project you managed from concept to print-ready files. What were the key challenges, and how did you ensure production readiness?" (Focus on process, problem-solving, and technical execution).

• "How do you balance creative innovation with strict brand guidelines and production constraints in your packaging design work?" (Assesses understanding of operational limitations and strategic design thinking).

• "Walk us through your process for quality assurance and preparing files for a specific printing method (e.g., offset lithography)." (Tests technical pre-press knowledge).

• "Imagine a scenario where a client requests a design change late in the production cycle. How would you manage this request operationally and creatively?" (Evaluates time management, communication, and problem-solving under pressure). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for METRO/MAKRO, specifically within our Global Solution Center?" (Demonstrate understanding of MGSC's role as an internal operations partner).

• "How do you approach mentorship and knowledge sharing with junior designers?" (Assesses contribution to team operational capacity).

• "Describe a time you identified an inefficiency in a design workflow and what you did about it." (Highlights proactive process improvement skills). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., specific packaging examples) or by showcasing the end-to-end process.

• Highlight Technical Details: For each packaging piece, clearly state the materials used, printing method, and any specific pre-press considerations.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, mention any positive outcomes, such as improved brand recognition, reduced production errors, or faster turnaround times due to your design or process input.

• Be Ready for Live Edits/Tests: Have your software ready in case a brief design exercise or file review is requested during the interview.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to elicit responses demonstrating operational thinking, technical proficiency, and problem-solving skills relevant to a pre-press packaging design role supporting GTM.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused creative position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature your strongest packaging design projects, specifically highlighting pre-press readiness, diverse material applications, and adherence to brand guidelines. Include at least one example demonstrating process improvement or efficient workflow management.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords such as "Packaging Design," "Pre-press," "Adobe Creative Suite," "Print Production," "Color Management," "Workflow Optimization," and "Mentorship." Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Reduced design revision cycles by X%").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills. Prepare specific examples from your portfolio that showcase your ability to meet tight deadlines and collaborate effectively with global teams.

• Company Research: Understand METRO/MAKRO's business model, its global presence, and the role of the Global Solution Center. Research their current packaging aesthetics and any sustainability initiatives to demonstrate informed 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.