Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Brand Designer

Company: PepsiCo

Location: 350 Hudson Street, New York, New York, 10014, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Brand Design / Creative Operations

Date Posted: May 07, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (1-3 years studio experience)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Develop and execute high-quality brand design work from concept to final delivery, driving design excellence and elevating brand identity for MUG Root Beer.

• Collaborate closely with Brand Design Managers and Directors, cross-functional partners, and external studios to conceptualize and craft impactful brand experiences across various touchpoints.

• Create and refine visual identities, packaging designs, campaign assets, presentations, and 360 branding executions, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with business objectives.

• Leverage strong sketching, storyboarding, moodboarding, and mock-up skills to communicate design intent and iterate rapidly based on feedback and evolving business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is titled "Brand Designer," its emphasis on driving brand strategy, managing projects from concept to execution, and collaborating with business functions positions it closely to a "Brand Operations" or "Creative Operations" function within a large CPG company like PepsiCo. The role requires strong organizational and project management skills alongside creative execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-quality brand design work from concept to final delivery.

• Participate actively in brainstorms, critiques, and collaborative work sessions to foster creative ideation.

• Create compelling visual identities, packaging designs, presentations, campaign assets, and comprehensive 360 branding executions.

• Utilize sketching (digital and/or hand), storyboarding, moodboarding, and mock-up techniques to effectively communicate design ideas and intent.

• Iterate on designs based on direction and feedback from Brand Design leads and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners (marketing, product development, etc.) and external design studios to ensure seamless project execution.

• Adapt designs quickly based on feedback and evolving business needs in a fast-paced environment.

• Ensure design work consistently aligns with evolving brand needs, emphasizing brand consistency and achievement of business objectives.

• Manage project timelines, milestones, and internal deadlines to ensure the timely delivery of all design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on execution and project management within the creative domain. For operations professionals, this translates to managing the "design pipeline," ensuring process adherence, and facilitating efficient workflow between creative teams and business units.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Visual Communication, or a related field.

Experience: Minimum of 1-3 years of studio experience (in-house or agency) as a graphic or brand designer, with a proven track record of taking projects from concept through completion.

Required Skills:

• Strong portfolio of design work showcasing both print and digital projects.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.).

• Excellent sketching skills (digital and/or hand) and idea development techniques.

• Strong typography and layout sensibility.

• Experience in developing visual identities and understanding of brand guidelines.

• Ability to articulate ideas conceptually and visualize design stories across various media.

• Experience in creating mood boards and mock-ups to communicate design intent.

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.

Preferred Skills:

• Background and understanding of social/digital design principles.

• Experience with packaging design, including understanding of dielines and print processes.

• Knowledge of color management and production processes.

• Illustration skills are a plus.

• AI mockup skills are a plus.

• Experience with social media curation and understanding of consumer behavior trends.

• Familiarity with brand architecture and innovation pipelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, demonstrating how your experience managing design workflows, ensuring brand consistency through guidelines, or optimizing the creative production process will be key. Highlight experience with project management tools and methodologies if applicable, even if not explicitly listed as required.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 1-3 years of professional design work, demonstrating a clear progression from concept to final execution.

• Include a diverse range of projects, highlighting both print and digital design applications.

• Feature examples of visual identity systems, packaging design, campaign assets, and 360 branding executions.

• Demonstrate strong typography, layout, and visual storytelling capabilities.

• Include examples of sketches, storyboards, mood boards, and mock-ups used to communicate design intent.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate your personal design process, from understanding project briefs to final asset delivery.

• Showcase how you manage feedback and iterate on designs based on direction from leads and stakeholders.

• Detail your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and external partners, emphasizing communication and workflow integration.

• If applicable, illustrate how you have managed project timelines and ensured timely delivery of design assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to walk through 2-3 key projects in their portfolio, explaining not just the visual outcome but the strategic thinking, design process, and collaborative efforts involved. For operations professionals, framing this as managing a "design project lifecycle" is beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,700 - $135,100 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Bonus: 5% of annual salary, based on performance and eligibility, paid out annually.

• Paid Time Off: Subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick leave, and bereavement leave.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package:

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

  • Disability Insurance

  • Health Reimbursement Account

  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Accident Insurance

  • Group Legal Insurance

  • Life Insurance

  • Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a competitive mid-level designer range for a major metropolitan area like New York City. PepsiCo's comprehensive benefits package is robust and typical for a large, established CPG company, offering excellent support for employees and their families. The bonus structure indicates a performance-driven culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage. PepsiCo is a global leader in convenient foods and beverages, with a vast portfolio of iconic brands. The company operates within a highly competitive and dynamic consumer goods market, requiring continuous innovation and strong brand management.

Company Size: Large Enterprise. PepsiCo is a multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide, offering significant opportunities for professional development and exposure to diverse business functions and markets.

Founded: 1965. PepsiCo has a long-standing history of growth and brand building, integrating multiple successful companies over the decades. This heritage contributes to a culture that balances established practices with a drive for future innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Design team is a strategic global function within PepsiCo, integrating various design disciplines.

• This role is part of the PepsiCo Beverage Design team, specifically focusing on brands like MUG Root Beer.

• The Brand Designer will report to a Brand Design Manager and work closely with a Design Director.

Methodology:

• The design function at PepsiCo emphasizes a blend of creative vision, strategic thinking, and consumer empathy.

• Design is viewed as a key driver of business value, innovation, and consumer engagement.

• The approach involves understanding consumer behavior trends and translating them into meaningful brand experiences.

• There's a focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration to ensure holistic brand development across multiple touchpoints.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's "crazy enough to think we can inspire the future" ethos suggests a culture that values bold ideas and innovation. For operations roles, this translates to a need for proactive problem-solving and a willingness to challenge the status quo to improve processes and outcomes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Brand Designer, requiring 1-3 years of dedicated studio experience. It signifies a step beyond entry-level, where individuals are expected to manage projects more independently and contribute strategically to brand development.

Reporting Structure: The Brand Designer will report to a Brand Design Manager and work under the guidance of a Design Director. This structure allows for mentorship and clear direction while providing opportunities to influence brand strategy. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is integral to the role.

Operations Impact: While a design role, its impact on operations is significant by translating business objectives into compelling visual strategies that drive consumer engagement, brand perception, and ultimately, sales. Effective brand design directly supports GTM strategies and revenue generation by making products more appealing and memorable.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in specific design areas such as packaging, digital, or 360 branding, potentially leading to Senior Designer or Art Director roles.

• Leadership: Progress into Brand Design Management roles, overseeing projects, mentoring junior designers, and leading strategic brand initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain broader experience by working on diverse beverage brands within PepsiCo's portfolio, or by moving into related operational roles within marketing or brand management.

• Skill Development: Continuously enhance creative skills and stay abreast of emerging design trends, tools (including AI in design), and consumer behaviors.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, understanding how design directly impacts go-to-market strategies, product launches, and consumer acquisition is crucial. This role offers a path to influence revenue through creative excellence and efficient execution of brand initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based at PepsiCo's New York office, located at 350 Hudson Street. This implies an on-site work environment within a professional corporate setting.

Office Location(s): The primary office is in New York City, a major hub for business and creative industries, offering access to talent, resources, and networking opportunities.

Workspace Context:

• The New York office is likely equipped with modern design facilities and technology to support creative work.

• Expect a collaborative workspace designed to foster interaction between designers, brand managers, and other cross-functional teams.

• Access to design tools, software, and potentially specialized hardware for prototyping and visualization will be provided.

• The environment will be fast-paced, demanding quick iteration and adaptation to project needs.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, approximately 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, PepsiCo often offers flexibility within standard business hours, though project deadlines may require extended hours at times.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in a major city like New York suggests a dynamic and collaborative environment. Operations professionals should be prepared for a structured office setting with ample opportunities for in-person collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter review of application and resume, focusing on relevant experience and qualifications.

• Portfolio Review: A critical stage where candidates present their design portfolio to hiring managers and design leads. Expect to discuss your process, strategic thinking, and impact on past projects.

• Creative Challenge/Case Study: Candidates may be given a design challenge or asked to present a case study related to brand design, packaging, or campaign development. This assesses problem-solving skills and strategic approach.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential team members and cross-functional partners to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication skills.

• Final Interview: With senior leadership to discuss overall fit, career aspirations, and final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best align with the job description (brand identity, packaging, digital assets, 360 executions).

• Tell a Story: For each project, articulate the brief, your role, the strategic thinking behind your design decisions, the challenges faced, and the ultimate outcome or impact.

• Showcase Process: Include sketches, mood boards, mock-ups, and iterations to demonstrate your design thinking and problem-solving approach.

• Highlight Collaboration: Mention how you worked with stakeholders, team members, or external partners.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): If your designs contributed to measurable business results (e.g., increased engagement, successful product launch), highlight this.

• Prepare for Digital Presentation: Be ready to present your portfolio virtually or in person, ensuring clear visuals and concise explanations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand PepsiCo Brands: Research MUG Root Beer and other PepsiCo beverage brands to grasp their current positioning, visual language, and target audience.

• Familiarize with Design Trends: Stay updated on current trends in branding, packaging, and digital design within the CPG and beverage industries.

• Practice Articulation: Be ready to verbally explain your design rationale, defend your creative choices, and discuss how your work aligns with business objectives.

• Consider Operations Angle: Think about how design projects are managed, timelines are set, and feedback is incorporated – this can inform your approach to hypothetical challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, emphasize your ability to manage the design process, ensure brand consistency through established guidelines, and facilitate efficient collaboration between creative and business teams. Frame your portfolio and any challenge responses to highlight project management and strategic execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign for creating and editing visual assets.

• Sketching Tools: Proficiency in digital sketching (e.g., Procreate, Adobe Fresco) or traditional hand-sketching for concept development.

• Mock-up Software: Tools for creating realistic product mock-ups and visualizations.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how design assets are managed within digital asset management (DAM) systems or project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) may be helpful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is paramount. For operations professionals looking to transition, highlighting experience with project management software, digital asset management (DAM) systems, or any tools used for workflow optimization can be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Design Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, impactful design work that resonates with consumers.

• Innovation: A drive to inspire the future and explore new creative territories.

• Consumer Empathy: A deep understanding of consumer needs, behaviors, and preferences, translated into relevant brand experiences.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Brand Consistency: Maintaining brand integrity and a unified visual voice across all touchpoints.

• Efficiency: Iterating quickly and managing projects effectively to meet business needs in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with Brand Design Managers and Directors.

• Partnership with cross-functional teams (marketing, product development) is essential for holistic brand development.

• Experience working with external studios and agencies is expected.

• Open to critiques and feedback, with a focus on iterative design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "crazy enough to think we can inspire the future" mantra suggests a culture that values bold ideas and experimentation. For operations roles, this means fostering an environment where new process ideas are welcomed and where efficiency improvements are driven by a forward-thinking mindset.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity and Business Needs: Effectively translating strategic business objectives and consumer insights into compelling and effective design solutions.

• Iterating Quickly in a Fast-Paced Environment: Adapting to evolving project requirements and feedback under tight deadlines.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across Diverse Touchpoints: Ensuring a unified brand message and visual identity across packaging, digital, and promotional materials.

• Navigating Cross-Functional Stakeholder Needs: Managing expectations and incorporating feedback from various internal departments and external partners.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Training: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like advanced packaging design, digital illustration, or motion graphics.

• Brand Strategy Workshops: Learning how to develop and execute comprehensive brand strategies from a design perspective.

• Industry Trend Immersion: Staying current with emerging design tools, technologies (including AI in design), and consumer behavior trends.

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced Design Managers and Directors within PepsiCo.

• Exposure to a Global Brand Portfolio: Gaining experience across various iconic beverage brands within the PepsiCo ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, viewing these challenges as opportunities to implement better process controls, communication strategies, or project management frameworks will be beneficial. The growth opportunities highlight PepsiCo's investment in employee development, offering a clear path for career advancement within the creative and operational functions.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a visual identity system for a new brand or product line." (Focus on strategic thinking, research, and execution steps.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different platforms, such as packaging, social media, and web?" (Highlight experience with brand guidelines and cross-channel strategy.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about designing for PepsiCo's beverage portfolio, specifically MUG Root Beer?" (Show research into the brand and company.)

• "How do you stay inspired and keep up with the latest design trends?" (Connect to PepsiCo's innovative culture.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your solution, your process, and the results.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in collaborative projects.

• Focus on Strategic Thinking: Explain why you made certain design choices, linking them to brand objectives or consumer insights.

• Showcase Technical Skill: Be prepared to discuss the tools and techniques you used.

• Practice Your Delivery: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it's concise, engaging, and within any time limits. Be ready for Q&A.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, approach these questions by framing your answers through the lens of process optimization, stakeholder alignment, and strategic execution. Emphasize how your skills in project management, workflow efficiency, and data-driven decision-making can support the creative team's success.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the PepsiCo jobs portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to brand identity development, packaging design, digital asset creation, and project management. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-5 of your strongest design projects, focusing on those that demonstrate brand strategy, execution from concept to completion, and collaboration. Ensure it's easily accessible online.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your design process, strategic thinking, and project contributions clearly and concisely during portfolio reviews and interviews.

• Research PepsiCo & MUG Root Beer: Understand the company's values, the MUG Root Beer brand's current positioning, and the competitive landscape within the beverage industry.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.