Graphic Designer - Stellenbosch

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Hungry Lion Fast Foods (Pty) Ltd

Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-01

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for driving brand consistency and creative output across a high-volume, fast-paced marketing environment.

• The Graphic Designer will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing a wide range of visual assets, from social media posts to in-store banners and video content.

• A key aspect of this role involves originating creative ideas rather than just executing briefs, requiring a strong conceptual thinker.

• The position demands efficient project management to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without compromising quality, ensuring timely delivery of marketing collateral.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within the marketing and creative operations function, focusing on the tangible output of brand communication materials. The emphasis on "conceptual range" and "originating concepts" suggests a need for a designer who can contribute strategically to campaign development, not just execute technical designs. The fast-paced nature and high volume indicate a need for efficiency and strong workflow management skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop a comprehensive range of marketing materials, including Point of Sale (POS) displays, social media graphics, Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, digital assets, print collateral, and event-specific designs.

• Conceptualize and develop original creative ideas and campaign themes, moving beyond basic brief execution to drive innovation.

• Create and edit video content and motion graphics as a regular part of the design output, integrating dynamic elements into campaigns.

• Prepare print-ready artwork, ensuring all files adhere to exact printer specifications and quality standards.

• Manage and prioritize multiple design projects concurrently, ensuring all deadlines are met and quality remains consistently high across all deliverables.

• Collaborate closely with the broader Marketing team and business stakeholders to understand campaign objectives and translate briefs into compelling visual narratives.

• Ensure a cohesive brand experience by integrating design, copy, and photography elements seamlessly across all customer touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative conceptualization and meticulous execution, typical of a mid-level designer in a growing QSR or retail brand. The inclusion of video and motion graphics indicates a need for skills beyond traditional graphic design. The emphasis on collaboration and understanding the customer experience suggests a strategic approach to design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, or a related creative field. Experience:

• 4-5 years of professional experience as a Graphic Designer or Conceptual DTP Artist.

• Prior experience in agency, retail, or Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) environments is highly preferred, demonstrating an understanding of fast-paced creative demands. Required Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

• Strong skills in After Effects for motion graphics and video editing.

• Solid understanding of fundamental design principles including layout, color theory, typography, scale, and composition.

• Ability to work creatively within established Brand CI (Corporate Identity) guidelines while still pushing creative boundaries.

• Proven ability to manage time effectively, work independently, and handle feedback constructively.

• Excellent conceptual thinking and idea generation capabilities. Preferred Skills:

• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing.

• Experience with 3D software.

• Skills in videography and photography.

• Experience in designing for high-volume retail or QSR environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 4-5 years combined with a degree suggests a mid-level role where candidates are expected to be proficient and capable of independent work, but still developing their strategic creative input. The advanced Adobe Suite skills are critical, with After Effects being a primary requirement for motion graphics, indicating a modern approach to content creation.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio that clearly demonstrates conceptual range and creative problem-solving, not just technical execution.

• Showcase examples of diverse design applications across POS, social media, digital, and print.

• Include case studies or examples of how you've originated concepts and brought them to life.

• Demonstrate experience in creating and editing video content or motion graphics.

• Provide examples of work that adheres to strict Brand CI guidelines while maintaining creativity. Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly requested for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including:

  • Workflow for managing multiple projects from brief to final delivery.

  • Methods for conceptualization and idea generation.

  • Process for preparing print-ready artwork and ensuring accuracy.

  • How you incorporate feedback and collaborate with stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary requirement for a portfolio is its demonstration of conceptual thinking and creative execution across various mediums. This implies that candidates should curate their portfolios to highlight their ability to ideate and solve creative challenges, not just showcase technical skills. The emphasis on "originating concepts" means portfolio pieces that show the journey from an idea to a final design will be highly valued.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 4-5 years of experience in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the estimated salary range is between ZAR 300,000 to ZAR 450,000 per annum.

• This range considers the cost of living in Stellenbosch, the specific experience required, and the demanding nature of the role within the fast-food industry. Benefits:

• Opportunity to work with a growing brand with genuine creative ambition.

• Involvement in campaign building from the conceptual stage, not just execution.

• Broad creative scope and the chance to make a significant impact on brand perception.

• Collaboration with a marketing team that values design as a core competitive element.

• Potential exposure to innovative marketing strategies and technologies used by Hungry Lion. Working Hours:

• Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week.

• The fast-paced environment may require flexibility and occasional work outside standard hours to meet project deadlines, especially during campaign launches or promotional periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on South African market rates for graphic design roles with the specified experience level and location. Benefits are inferred from the company's description of its culture and the role's strategic involvement. The mention of "high-volume, fast-paced" suggests that while a standard 40-hour week is likely, overtime or flexible scheduling might be necessary.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fast Food / Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)

Company Size: Over 500 stores across multiple African countries. This indicates a large, established organization with significant brand presence and operational scale.

Founded: 1997. This signifies a company with over two decades of experience, suggesting stability and a proven business model.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the broader Marketing team.

• This team likely works closely with various business stakeholders across operations, product development, and potentially regional management.

• The structure emphasizes collaboration, with the designer having a "seat at the table" during campaign development. Methodology:

• Hungry Lion emphasizes innovation, leveraging technology (including AI) for smarter operations.

• The company fosters a culture where people are encouraged to think differently and solve real problems.

• Design is viewed as central to how the brand competes, indicating a strategic rather than purely executional approach to marketing.

• A focus on integrating design, copy, and photography ensures a holistic customer experience.

Company Website: https://www.hungrylion.co.za/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as innovative, people-centric, and driven by a strong brand vision. For a graphic designer, this means an environment that values creative contribution and strategic thinking, not just technical execution. The scale of operations suggests opportunities to work on large-scale campaigns and potentially interact with diverse markets.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer. It requires 4-5 years of experience, indicating that candidates are expected to be proficient in core design tasks and capable of independent work. The emphasis on originating concepts suggests opportunities to grow into more senior creative roles or specialize in areas like motion graphics or brand strategy.

Reporting Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Marketing Manager or Head of Marketing.

• They will collaborate closely with other members of the Marketing team (e.g., copywriters, social media managers) and various business stakeholders. Operations Impact:

• The Graphic Designer's work directly influences brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales.

• By creating compelling visual assets for POS, social media, digital, and OOH campaigns, they play a crucial role in driving customer traffic and promoting new products or offers.

• Their ability to maintain brand consistency across all touchpoints reinforces brand loyalty and recognition. Growth Opportunities:

• Creative Specialization: Develop advanced skills in motion graphics, video editing, or specific design software.

• Brand Strategy: Contribute more significantly to campaign conceptualization and brand guideline development.

• Project Management: Take on lead roles for specific campaigns or projects, managing timelines and deliverables.

• Leadership Potential: Progress to a Senior Graphic Designer or Art Director role within the marketing team.

• Industry Exposure: Gain experience in the fast-paced QSR industry, a sector known for its dynamic marketing challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a dynamic industry. The emphasis on conceptual thinking and a "seat at the table" suggests opportunities to move beyond pure design execution into more strategic creative roles. Growth could also involve specializing in emerging areas like digital content creation and motion graphics.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site. The role is based at the company's Stellenbosch location.

Office Location(s): Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. This is a well-known hub for businesses in the Western Cape.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "high-volume, fast-paced." This implies a dynamic and potentially energetic workspace.

• Collaboration is key, with close work expected with the broader Marketing team and business stakeholders.

• Access to necessary design software and technology is assumed, with specific Adobe Creative Suite tools listed as requirements.

• The team culture values creativity and innovation, suggesting an environment that encourages new ideas and solutions. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours per week).

• Given the fast-paced nature of the QSR industry and the need to meet campaign deadlines, flexibility may be required. This could involve occasional overtime or adjusted working hours during peak periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site work environment in Stellenbosch suggests a traditional office setting. The "fast-paced" description implies a need for adaptability and efficiency. Candidates should be comfortable working in a high-pressure, deadline-driven setting where collaboration is frequent.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV and portfolio to assess qualifications, experience, and conceptual abilities.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, discussing their creative process, conceptual thinking, and how they've handled specific briefs. Be prepared to articulate the "why" behind your design choices.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical design task or case study may be given to evaluate conceptualization, execution, and adherence to brand guidelines under time constraints. This might involve creating a social post, a POS concept, or editing a short video.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Discussions with the marketing team and potentially other business stakeholders to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and understanding of brand objectives.

• Final Interview: With senior management to discuss the role's strategic importance and long-term vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 strong projects that best showcase your conceptual range, versatility across media (digital, print, video/motion), and ability to work within brand CI.

• Highlight Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your conceptual approach, challenges faced, and how you arrived at the final solution. Emphasize your thinking process.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, include metrics or results related to your designs (e.g., engagement rates for social posts, sales uplift for POS).

• Demonstrate Versatility: Ensure your portfolio includes examples of different design types and formats mentioned in the responsibilities.

• Video/Motion Graphics: If you have them, prominently feature any video editing or motion graphics work, as this is a specific requirement.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brand: Research Hungry Lion's current marketing campaigns, brand identity, target audience, and competitive landscape.

• Practice Design Tasks: Familiarize yourself with common QSR/retail marketing collateral needs. Practice creating social media graphics, simple video edits, or POS concepts.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within realistic timeframes.

• Articulate Strategy: Be ready to explain your design choices and how they align with marketing objectives and brand strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process heavily emphasizes the portfolio's conceptual strength. Candidates must be prepared to not just show their work but to deeply explain their creative process, strategic thinking, and how they translate business needs into effective designs. The potential for a practical design challenge means hands-on preparation is crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for layout design and print production.
  • Adobe Illustrator: Crucial for vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Core for image manipulation, digital asset creation, and retouching.
  • Adobe After Effects: A key requirement for creating motion graphics and video content.

• Video Editing Software:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro: Preferred for video editing.
  • Other video editing tools: Experience with alternative software might be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary responsibility, understanding how design impacts campaign performance (e.g., engagement metrics for social posts, conversion rates for digital ads) is advantageous. Familiarity with basic analytics dashboards could be helpful. CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but understanding how marketing campaigns are deployed and managed within broader systems could provide context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on After Effects for motion graphics. Candidates must be highly proficient in these tools. Experience with Premiere Pro and other video/3D software is a significant advantage, reflecting the evolving demands of content creation in marketing.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: Encouraged to think differently and solve problems with fresh ideas.

• Quality & Consistency: Maintaining high standards across all design outputs, especially within brand CI.

• Collaboration: Working closely with marketing and business stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Efficiency: Managing multiple projects effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Customer Focus: Designing with the customer experience in mind, integrating all elements of communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The designer is expected to work closely with the broader Marketing team and business stakeholders, implying a collaborative and communicative approach.

• Feedback Loop: Handling feedback well and asking good questions suggests an open and constructive dialogue is valued.

• Proactive Communication: Managing time without being chased indicates a proactive and responsible approach to communication and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values a blend of creative ambition and operational efficiency. For a designer, this means being a proactive, collaborative team player who can balance creative ideation with the practical demands of a high-volume, deadline-driven environment. The emphasis on being a "creative who thinks" suggests that initiative and strategic input are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• High Volume & Pace: Consistently delivering high-quality creative assets under tight deadlines in a fast-paced QSR environment.

• Balancing Brand CI with Creativity: Innovating within strict brand guidelines without compromising brand integrity.

• Managing Multiple Projects: Effectively prioritizing and executing diverse projects simultaneously without quality slippage.

• Evolving Media Formats: Keeping up with and creating content for various platforms, including video and motion graphics, which may require continuous skill development.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, video editing, and potentially explore 3D design.

• Strategic Contribution: Grow from execution to concept development and campaign strategy input.

• Industry Insight: Gain extensive experience in the dynamic QSR marketing landscape.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Work closely with various departments, broadening understanding of business operations and marketing strategy.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior marketing professionals within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges revolve around managing the demands of a high-volume, fast-paced environment while maintaining creative excellence and brand consistency. Growth opportunities are strong, particularly in specializing in digital content creation and taking on more strategic creative responsibilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to originate a creative concept for a campaign. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on ideation, problem-solving, and results.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across diverse marketing materials, especially when working with tight deadlines?" (Highlight your understanding of brand CI and workflow management.)

• "Walk me through a project where you had to balance creative execution with specific technical or printer specifications." (Demonstrate attention to detail and technical proficiency.)

• "How do you approach creating video content or motion graphics for a fast-paced brand like ours?" (Showcase your understanding of the medium and its application in QSR.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Hungry Lion and the QSR industry?" (Research the brand, its mission, and current marketing efforts.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or feedback on your designs?" (Emphasize your ability to adapt and improve.)

• "Describe your ideal working relationship with a marketing team and other stakeholders." (Highlight your collaborative and communicative style.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your creative solution, and the impact.

• Focus on Conceptual Thinking: Articulate why you made certain design decisions, not just what you did.

• Showcase Versatility: Present a mix of projects demonstrating your skills across different media (digital, print, motion graphics).

• Prepare for a Design Challenge: Be ready to briefly discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design task for Hungry Lion, or be prepared for a live task.

• Quantify Success: If possible, use data to illustrate the effectiveness of your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both creative conceptualization and practical execution skills. Candidates must be ready to articulate their thought process, showcase their portfolio effectively, and demonstrate an understanding of the QSR industry and Hungry Lion's brand. The emphasis on a "creative who thinks" means strategic answers are valued.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to prominently feature projects that demonstrate conceptual thinking, versatility across digital, print, and video/motion graphics, and adherence to brand guidelines. Highlight your best work relevant to the QSR/retail sector.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 4-5 years of experience, specific Adobe Creative Suite proficiencies (especially After Effects), and any agency, retail, or QSR background. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, creative rationale, and project management skills. Prepare to present your portfolio and discuss how you would approach design challenges for Hungry Lion.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Hungry Lion's brand, current marketing initiatives, and the QSR industry in South Africa. Understand their values and how your creative approach aligns with their business objectives.

⚠️ 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.