Graphic Designer - SDS

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - SDS

Company: METRO/MAKRO

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing Operations

Date Posted: May 19, 2026

Experience Level: 3+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute high-quality multimedia design assets that align with brand guidelines and production standards.

• Visualize and design user interfaces and screens based on approved look-and-feel and established design guidelines.

• Conduct thorough visual quality assurance (QA) reviews to ensure all creative outputs meet stringent aesthetic and brand standards.

• Prepare and present design mockups to stakeholders, translating concepts into visually compelling realities.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and refine various output types, ensuring cohesive and impactful deliverables.

• Manage a small team of designers, taking full ownership of projects from initial concept through to final completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Graphic Designer," the responsibilities, particularly around managing a team, taking ownership of deliverables, and collaborating on various output types, suggest a role with some supervisory or lead responsibilities within the design function. The mention of "SDS" might refer to a specific internal division or project framework within METRO GSC, implying a focus on internal solution development or support.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create and maintain internal processes and templates to optimize and minimize future content development time and resources.

• Visualize and design screens and digital assets based on approved brand aesthetics, user experience (UX) principles, and established design system standards.

• Review creative output from a visual perspective, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines, quality standards, and project objectives.

• Prepare comprehensive mockups and presentations for internal stakeholders and clients, facilitating decision-making before finalizing designs.

• Translate approved mockups and concepts into polished, production-ready graphics and multimedia assets.

• Collaborate effectively with team members and cross-functional departments (e.g., IT, Business Operations) to develop diverse output types, ensuring consistency and alignment.

• Manage and mentor a small team of graphic designers, providing guidance, feedback, and ensuring project timelines are met.

• Take complete ownership of design deliverables, overseeing the entire lifecycle from initial brief and conceptualization to final delivery and implementation.

• Stay abreast of the latest graphic design trends, tools, and technologies, proposing creative upgrades and process enhancements to improve efficiency and impact.

• Ensure all design work aligns with user behavior insights and communication design best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The raw job description implies a blend of individual contribution and team leadership. Responsibilities such as "Creates and updates internal processes and templates to minimize future content development time" and "Collaborating with team members to develop the different output types" highlight a focus on operational efficiency and process improvement within the design function, common in GTM or internal support roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Multimedia Arts, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 3+ years of hands-on experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on creating promotional content, e-learning materials, or publishing house content. Print media experience is highly advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Daily proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud for at least 2 years.

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.

• Hands-on experience in motion graphics creation using Adobe Animate.

• Ability to work effectively with content in non-English languages, particularly European languages.

• A keen eye for aesthetics, detail, and visual composition.

• Strong conceptualization and visualization skills to translate ideas into compelling designs.

• Good English communication skills for clear discussion of designs with team members and stakeholders.

• Understanding of user behavior and principles of communication design.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

• Strong time management skills to meet project deadlines and manage multiple outputs simultaneously. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro for advanced motion graphics and video production.

• Extensive experience in print media design, including understanding of pre-press requirements.

• Experience in package design and label design.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a small team of designers and take ownership of deliverables.

• Knowledge of the latest graphic design trends and ability to suggest creative upgrades.

• Experience in creating designs for both print and digital media.

• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.

• Eagerness to learn new tools and techniques to enhance design processes and efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Adobe Creative Cloud, specific tools like InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Animate, along with motion graphics and print media experience, points towards a need for a versatile designer proficient in both creation and production. The requirement for non-English language content handling suggests a role supporting international operations, common in large enterprises like METRO.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3 years of diverse design work, demonstrating proficiency across print, digital, and multimedia formats.

• Include specific examples of promotional content (e.g., flyers, brochures, campaign assets) and e-learning module visuals.

• Highlight projects that required adaptation to non-English language content or specific cultural design considerations.

• Present case studies of projects where you visualized and designed screens or interfaces, detailing the process from concept to execution.

• Demonstrate experience with mockups and the ability to translate them into final designs, showcasing problem-solving and execution skills. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of how you have created or updated internal processes and templates to improve efficiency in content development.

• Detail your approach to conducting visual QA and ensuring design outputs meet established standards and guidelines.

• Illustrate your workflow for collaborating with team members and cross-functional partners on design projects.

• Showcase your ability to manage design projects from inception to completion, including any team management or ownership aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing process creation and team management, a portfolio should not only display creative output but also demonstrate the candidate's ability to streamline workflows, ensure quality control, and manage projects effectively. This aligns with operations-focused roles that value efficiency and structured execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Graphic Designers with 3+ years of experience in Pune, India, a competitive salary range would likely be between ₹450,000 to ₹800,000 per annum. This estimate considers the required skills in Adobe Creative Suite, motion graphics, print media experience, and potential team leadership responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision).

• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, public holidays).

• Contributions to retirement savings plans (e.g., Provident Fund).

• Opportunities for professional development and training in design software and techniques.

• Access to METRO's employee discount programs.

• Hybrid work model offering flexibility and work-life balance.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Opportunities for career advancement within METRO GSC's global network.

Working Hours: Standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. However, the role may require flexibility to work in shifts for 1-2 weeks per month for critical deliverables, as indicated in the additional information.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is estimated based on current market data for similar roles in Pune, India, factoring in the specified experience level and technical requirements. The benefits are typical for a large multinational corporation like METRO, with a focus on employee well-being and professional growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Wholesale and Retail (METRO AG operates as a leading international wholesale and food service specialist). METRO Global Solution Center (MGSC) specifically operates within the IT and Business Operations support sector for METRO.

Company Size: 600-650 employees at MGSC, with METRO AG globally employing approximately 93,000 people across 34 countries. This indicates a large, established global organization with a significant internal shared services hub.

Founded: 2011 (for MGSC).

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the creative team within MGSC, likely reporting to a Design Lead or Manager.

• This team supports various internal business units and countries, requiring strong collaboration with stakeholders from different regions and functions.

• The role involves managing a small team of designers, indicating a potential for leadership within the immediate design group.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, working with IT, business operations, and potentially marketing teams within METRO. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Utilizing insights into user behavior and market trends to inform design decisions.

• Process Optimization: Continuously improving content development workflows and creating reusable templates and processes.

• Agile Collaboration: Working in a dynamic environment that requires flexibility, quick iteration, and effective communication to meet evolving business needs.

• Quality Focus: Adhering to stringent production, design, and visual QA guidelines to ensure high-quality deliverables.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: MGSC's role as an internal solution partner for a global wholesaler means its culture likely emphasizes efficiency, global standards, and robust operational support. The "SDS" designation might imply a focus on "Service Delivery Solutions" or similar, underscoring an operational and process-oriented approach to creative services.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role sits within the Creative & Media function, but its responsibilities, including process creation and potential team management, position it as an experienced individual contributor with leadership potential, moving towards a Junior or mid-level Designer role with supervisory aspects. It bridges creative execution with operational efficiency for design services.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Design Manager or Head of Creative Services within MGSC. The role also involves overseeing a small team of designers, implying a direct reporting line from those team members.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work directly impacts internal communication, brand consistency, and the efficiency of content creation across 31 countries served by MGSC. High-quality, well-designed materials contribute to clearer internal messaging, more effective training, and a more professional brand image for METRO's internal operations. Efficient processes reduce operational costs and delivery times for design services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, video production, or specific design software (e.g., advanced After Effects, Premiere Pro).

• Team Leadership: Progress into a formal Design Lead or Team Manager role, overseeing larger teams and strategic design initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Transition into roles focused on UX/UI design, digital marketing support, or internal communications, leveraging design skills in broader business contexts.

• Process Improvement: Develop a career path focused on optimizing creative operations, workflow automation, and implementing design system best practices.

• Global Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse international teams and projects, enhancing understanding of global design standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of team management and process improvement responsibilities suggests a growth path beyond a standard graphic design role, pointing towards operations-adjacent career development within a creative function.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model as stated. This typically involves a mix of in-office days for collaboration and on-site tasks, and remote days for focused individual work.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 8th Floor, AP 81, Sr. No. 83, North Main Road, Near Hard Rock Café, Mundhwa, Pune, Maharashtra, India. This is a well-established business area in Pune.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages team interaction on designated office days, fostering brainstorming and collaborative project work.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to necessary design software and hardware within the office, and potentially remote access to systems and tools.

• Cross-Departmental Interaction: Opportunities to engage with colleagues from various IT and Business Operations departments, gaining broader insight into METRO's global functions.

• Global Connectivity: Interaction with international colleagues and stakeholders, providing exposure to diverse working styles and business needs.

Work Schedule: While the standard is 40 hours per week, the role requires flexibility for shifts (1-2 weeks per month) for critical deliverables. This suggests a need for adaptability in scheduling to meet project demands, common in fast-paced operational support environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and the mention of specific office location in Pune indicate a structured work environment typical of large corporate shared service centers, balancing flexibility with operational needs and in-person collaboration.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and portfolios for basic qualifications and alignment with role requirements.

• Technical Assessment: Candidates may be asked to complete a design test or challenge focusing on specific skills (e.g., creating a short animation, designing a flyer based on a brief) to evaluate practical abilities and speed.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager to delve into experience, team management capabilities, process improvement ideas, and cultural fit. This stage will heavily involve portfolio review.

• Panel Interview: Potential interview with team members or cross-functional stakeholders to assess collaboration skills and suitability for the team dynamic.

• Final Decision: Offer extended based on overall assessment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly address the job description's requirements (print, digital, motion graphics, process improvement examples).

• Showcase Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the tools used, and the final outcome. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "reduced content creation time by X%").

• Highlight Operations: Include examples of process improvements you've implemented or templates you've created. If you've managed a team, be prepared to discuss your approach.

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and professionally presented. For digital portfolios, ensure links are functional.

• Tailor to METRO: If possible, include a project that demonstrates understanding of corporate branding or internal communications, or one that shows adaptability to non-English language content.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully read and understand the requirements of any design challenge. Ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Time Management: Allocate your time effectively across ideation, design, and refinement.

• Focus on Core Skills: Demonstrate proficiency in the required software (Adobe Creative Suite).

• Present Your Work: Be prepared to articulate your design choices, rationale, and process clearly and concisely, as if presenting to stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on process and potential team management, interviewers will likely probe beyond pure design skills to assess problem-solving, efficiency, and leadership potential. A portfolio showcasing these aspects will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design of brochures, flyers, and print materials.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and digital artwork creation.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, icons, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Animate: For creating interactive animations and motion graphics.

• Motion Graphics & Video:

  • Adobe After Effects: For advanced motion graphics and visual effects.
  • Adobe Premiere Pro: For video editing and production.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly mentioned for a design role, understanding how design impacts engagement metrics (e.g., click-through rates on digital assets) would be beneficial. Familiarity with basic analytics tools used for digital content performance could be a plus. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to the core design function, but understanding how design assets are utilized within marketing automation platforms or content management systems could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The job description explicitly lists essential Adobe Creative Cloud tools. Proficiency in motion graphics tools like Animate, After Effects, and Premiere Pro is also highlighted, indicating a strong need for multimedia design capabilities beyond static graphics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Optimization: A strong drive to improve processes, create reusable templates, and minimize content development time, reflecting an operations-centric approach to creative services.

• Quality & Precision: Commitment to high production and visual QA standards, ensuring all deliverables are polished and meet client expectations.

• Customer Focus: Understanding and responding to the needs of internal clients (METRO's various business units and countries), delivering timely and relevant design solutions.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Working effectively within a diverse team, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Learning: An eagerness to explore new tools, techniques, and market trends to enhance design capabilities and drive innovation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with IT, Business Operations, and other departments to ensure design aligns with broader business objectives and technical requirements.

• Constructive Feedback: Openness to receiving and providing feedback on designs and processes to foster continuous improvement.

• Knowledge Sharing: Proactively sharing insights, best practices, and new techniques with team members to elevate collective skill levels.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear and consistent communication with stakeholders regarding project status, challenges, and deliverables, especially when managing a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values described blend creative excellence with operational efficiency, a hallmark of strong GTM or internal support functions that need to deliver both quality and speed. The emphasis on process improvement and customer focus is particularly relevant for an operations-oriented role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Operational Constraints: Effectively translating creative ideas into designs that meet brand guidelines, technical specifications, and tight deadlines.

• Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating diverse requirements from multiple internal clients across different countries and business units.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends and Technologies: Staying current with rapid changes in design software, digital media, and user expectations.

• Cross-Cultural Design Adaptation: Creating designs that resonate effectively with audiences in various European countries, considering linguistic and cultural nuances.

• Team Management (if applicable): Motivating and guiding a small team, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery, while potentially managing workload distribution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas of Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., advanced motion graphics, 3D rendering).

• Design System Implementation: Learning and contributing to the development and maintenance of design systems for consistent branding and efficient asset creation.

• Project & Team Leadership: Developing skills in project management, team mentoring, and creative resource allocation.

• Industry Workshops & Webinars: Access to training on emerging design trends, UX/UI principles, and new creative technologies.

• Exposure to Global Projects: Gaining experience working on diverse international projects that broaden perspective and skill sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the dynamic nature of the role, requiring adaptability and continuous learning, which are key aspects of successful operations professionals. Growth opportunities are geared towards both technical specialization and leadership development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Process Design: "Describe a time you created or improved a process for content development or design workflow. What was the impact?" (Prepare a STAR method response focusing on efficiency, templates, or quality control).

• Stakeholder Management: "How do you handle conflicting design requests from different stakeholders? Provide an example." (Focus on communication, negotiation, and prioritizing based on business impact).

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a project is falling behind schedule due to unforeseen design challenges. What steps would you take?" (Highlight proactive communication, re-prioritization, and problem-solving strategies).

• Adaptability & Learning: "Tell me about a new design tool or technique you’ve learned recently and how you’ve applied it." (Showcase curiosity and a commitment to continuous improvement).

Company & Culture Questions:

• Understanding MGSC's Role: "Based on what you know about METRO GSC, how do you see your role contributing to the company's internal operations and global support structure?" (Research MGSC's mission and connect your design skills to their objectives).

• Team Dynamics: "How do you approach collaborating with team members who have different skill sets or perspectives?" (Emphasize active listening, constructive feedback, and achieving shared goals).

• Quality Assurance: "What does 'visual QA' mean to you, and how do you ensure your work meets high standards?" (Discuss attention to detail, adherence to guidelines, and self-review processes).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Thematic Selection: Group your portfolio pieces by skill (e.g., Print Design, Motion Graphics, Process Improvement) or by project type.

• Storytelling: For each key project, articulate the "why" (the goal/brief), the "how" (your process and tools), and the "what" (the outcome and impact). Quantify achievements where possible.

• Highlight Process & Management: If you have examples of process creation or team leadership, dedicate specific slides or time to showcase these operational aspects.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Aim for clear, impactful visuals and brief, to-the-point explanations.

• Interactive Elements: Be ready to answer detailed questions about your work and demonstrate your thought process behind specific design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss not just your creative output but also your operational mindset – how you approach efficiency, process improvement, and collaboration, which are critical for roles supporting large global organizations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest work in print media, digital assets, and motion graphics. Prioritize projects that demonstrate process improvement initiatives, team collaboration, or experience with international/non-English content.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly outlines your years of experience with Adobe Creative Cloud, specific software proficiencies, and any experience in team management or process development. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice discussing your portfolio projects using the STAR method, focusing on challenges, actions, and results, particularly those related to operational efficiency and design quality. Prepare to articulate your understanding of METRO GSC's role.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with METRO AG and the METRO Global Solution Center (MGSC). Understand their business, global reach, and operational focus to better align your responses during interviews.

⚠️ 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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