Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Mars

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Marketing & Creative Operations

Date Posted: April 24, 2026

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

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the end-to-end development and execution of content strategies for iconic Snacking and Petcare brands within the Mars NZ Multisales segment.

• Design and produce a high volume of engaging visual assets for diverse print and digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and excellence.

• Act as the sole designer, requiring strong autonomy, resilience, and proactive self-starter capabilities to manage multiple projects and brands simultaneously.

• Collaborate effectively with brand teams, marketing specialists, and stakeholders to translate campaign briefs into compelling visual content and manage feedback loops.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a unique, stand-alone position within the Mars NZ Multisales business, demanding a high degree of independence and ownership. The focus is on driving visual brand presence across both consumer-facing products (Snacking, Pet Nutrition) and corporate communications. The "Multisales" designation suggests a broad scope covering various distribution channels and potentially B2B or partner marketing collateral in addition to direct-to-consumer content.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a wide range of visual content, including static imagery, social media assets, e-commerce banners, and marketing collateral.

• Maintain and champion brand visual identities, ensuring all creative output aligns with established guidelines and quality standards across Snacking, Petcare, and Corporate Affairs.

• Manage the full project lifecycle from brief intake and concept development through to final production, delivery, and stakeholder approval.

• Proactively identify opportunities for creative enhancement and efficiency improvements in content production workflows.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including brand managers, marketing specialists, and sales teams, to understand project objectives and deliver impactful visual solutions.

• Support ad hoc design requests from various departments, demonstrating flexibility and a broad creative skillset.

• Stay abreast of design trends, emerging digital platforms, and best practices in visual content creation to inform strategies and elevate brand presence.

• Manage feedback and revision processes efficiently, ensuring timely delivery without compromising creative quality.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a need for a designer who can operate autonomously and manage a broad spectrum of creative tasks. The emphasis on "content strategies" suggests involvement beyond just execution, requiring strategic thinking about how visuals support broader marketing objectives. The stand-alone nature implies responsibility for workflow management, client communication (internal stakeholders), and potentially even basic content scheduling or deployment coordination.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field.

Experience: Proven Graphic Design experience (2-5 years), ideally within an agency, freelance, or in-house production environment, with a strong preference for experience in FMCG/Retail sectors.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrable expertise in graphic design principles, typography, color theory, and layout for both print and digital media.

• High proficiency in industry-standard image production and editing software, specifically Adobe Photoshop.

• Strong copywriting skills for developing concise and impactful on-screen text and collateral content.

• Proficiency in video editing software such as Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro for creating dynamic visual assets.

• Exceptional project management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management, effectively communicating design concepts and managing feedback from non-design colleagues.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with motion graphics and animation software (e.g., Adobe After Effects).

• Familiarity with digital asset management (DAM) systems.

• Understanding of e-commerce best practices and visual merchandising principles for online platforms.

• Basic knowledge of social media content best practices and platform-specific design requirements.

• Experience working with brand guidelines and ensuring strict adherence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required technical skills are specific and critical, especially the combined proficiency in Photoshop, video editing software, and copywriting. The emphasis on a "stand-alone role" and "independent, resilient, and proactive self-starter" points to a need for someone who can not only design but also manage their own workload and communicate effectively without constant supervision. The portfolio is crucial for demonstrating not just technical skill but also strategic thinking and brand understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated collection of diverse design projects that demonstrate proficiency across print and digital media.

• Case studies or project breakdowns that highlight your role in concept development, art direction, and final execution.

• Examples of how you have translated campaign briefs into compelling visual content for various platforms (e.g., social media, e-commerce, print collateral).

• Visuals showcasing your ability to maintain and champion brand identities, with examples of consistency across multiple brand touchpoints.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you approach project workflows, from initial brief to final delivery, highlighting efficiency and organization.

• If applicable, include examples of process optimization or workflow improvements you have implemented in previous roles.

• Demonstrate your understanding of content strategy by showing how your design work supports broader marketing objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given this is a stand-alone role, the portfolio needs to effectively communicate not just creative talent but also project management capabilities and strategic thinking. The interviewer will be looking for evidence that the candidate can independently manage projects from start to finish, understand brand strategy, and effectively communicate their design rationale.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a mid-level Graphic Designer in Auckland, New Zealand, with specialized FMCG/Retail and video editing skills, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between NZD $60,000 - $85,000 per annum. This estimate considers the company's global standing, the specialized nature of the role (sole designer, video editing), and the cost of living in Auckland.

Benefits:

• Personalized development opportunities to enhance design skills and career progression.

• Access to a supportive team environment and collaborative culture within a leading global organization.

• Real opportunities for career growth and advancement within Mars.

• The chance to work with globally recognized and beloved brands.

• A purpose-driven work environment focused on building a sustainable future.

Working Hours: Full-time, typically aligning with standard business hours in New Zealand (e.g., 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday), with potential for some flexibility depending on project demands. The role is based on-site in Auckland, New Zealand.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on publicly available data for similar roles in Auckland, New Zealand, and the specific requirements of this position. The benefits listed are derived from the provided text and are typical for large, established organizations like Mars. The working hours are inferred from "Full-time" and standard business practices.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage, Petcare, Confectionery. Mars is a global leader in these sectors, known for its iconic brands and commitment to creating a positive impact. The company operates across multiple segments, including Petcare, Mars Wrigley (confectionery), Royal Canin, and Mars Food.

Company Size: Mars is a large, privately held company, employing over 140,000 associates globally across more than 55 countries. This scale provides stability and extensive resources.

Founded: Mars was founded in 1911 by Franklin Clarence Mars. The company has a long-standing history of innovation and growth, maintaining its family-owned ethos while expanding its global footprint. This heritage often translates into a culture that values long-term vision and associate well-being.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Mars NZ Multisales segment.

• The role reports directly to the Marketing, Strategy and Deployment Lead – Snacking/Pet Nutrition, indicating a close working relationship with senior marketing leadership.

Methodology:

• Mars emphasizes a data-driven approach to decision-making and continuous improvement. For this role, it means designs should be informed by brand strategy, consumer insights, and performance metrics where applicable.

• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial, especially in a stand-alone capacity, to ensure efficient content delivery.

• Automation and efficiency practices are valued, suggesting an openness to exploring tools or processes that streamline design production.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes Mars's global reach, family-owned values, and diverse brand portfolio. The specific reporting structure for this role places the designer at the intersection of key business units (Snacking, Pet Nutrition) and corporate functions, highlighting the strategic importance of visual communication. The "Multisales" segment implies a broader market reach and potentially varied stakeholder needs.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-Level Graphic Designer, indicated by the 2-5 years of experience requirement and the expectation of leading content strategy and execution. It offers significant autonomy and ownership, which is a step up from junior roles that typically require more direct supervision.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports to the Marketing, Strategy and Deployment Lead, placing them within the marketing function. This provides exposure to strategic marketing planning and execution, offering a broader business perspective beyond pure design execution.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is crucial for brand perception, consumer engagement, and sales enablement. By creating compelling visual content, this role directly influences brand consistency, market penetration, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns across various channels (social, e-commerce, print). The ability to manage multiple brands ensures consistent visual storytelling across Mars's diverse portfolio.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Develop deep expertise in visual storytelling for FMCG and Petcare brands, potentially leading to senior design roles focused on specific product categories.

• Skill Expansion: Gain advanced skills in video editing, motion graphics, and potentially digital asset management, increasing versatility and marketability.

• Leadership Potential: Excel in this stand-alone role, demonstrating strong project management and strategic thinking, which could lead to opportunities in creative team leadership, brand management, or marketing strategy roles within Mars.

• Cross-Functional Movement: Leverage exposure to different brand teams and corporate affairs to transition into broader marketing or communications roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around deepening specialized skills, expanding technical capabilities, and leveraging the strategic exposure gained from this autonomous role to move into leadership or broader marketing functions within Mars. The stand-alone nature of the role is highlighted as a key differentiator for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This appears to be a traditional on-site role within Mars's New Zealand operations. The description implies a dynamic office environment where the designer will collaborate with various teams.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Mars New Zealand Limited facility. Specific details about the office layout, amenities, or accessibility would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: While a stand-alone designer, the role requires close collaboration with brand teams, marketing specialists, and other stakeholders, suggesting opportunities for interaction and idea exchange.

• Operations Tools & Technology: The designer will have access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Final Cut Pro/Premiere Pro) and likely company-specific project management or communication tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will stem from project meetings, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional team engagements, fostering a sense of belonging within the broader Mars NZ team.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are full-time, likely Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. However, the nature of creative projects may occasionally require flexibility to meet campaign deadlines. The on-site requirement means a consistent presence in the Auckland office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is characterized by an on-site presence in Auckland, a collaborative atmosphere despite the stand-alone nature of the design role, and access to essential creative technologies. The emphasis is on balancing independent work with necessary cross-functional interaction.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of applications and portfolios to assess relevant experience, technical skills, and creative output.

• First Interview: Typically with the hiring manager (Marketing, Strategy and Deployment Lead) to discuss experience, portfolio highlights, understanding of brand identity, and project management approach. Expect questions about how you handle a stand-alone role.

• Skills Assessment/Creative Challenge: A practical exercise may be given, such as designing a social media asset or a concept for a new campaign element, to evaluate your design process, creativity, and technical proficiency under time constraints.

• Final Interview: May involve meeting with other key stakeholders from brand or marketing teams to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best represent your skills in graphic design, video editing, and content strategy for FMCG/Retail. Highlight work for similar brands or product categories if possible.

• Showcase Brand Consistency: Include examples where you've successfully applied and maintained brand guidelines across different platforms.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, briefly explain the brief, your creative approach, the tools used, and the outcome or impact. Emphasize your role in managing the project end-to-end.

• Highlight Autonomy: If possible, showcase projects where you worked independently or managed multiple tasks concurrently.

• Video & Print Balance: Ensure your portfolio includes strong examples of both print and digital (including video) design work.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brands: Familiarize yourself with Mars's Snacking and Petcare brands in New Zealand. Review their current marketing, social media presence, and packaging.

• Think Strategically: Consider how visual design supports marketing objectives for these brands. What makes effective content for social media or e-commerce in this sector?

• Practice Timed Execution: If a creative challenge is expected, practice designing assets within a limited timeframe.

• Prepare for Stakeholder Questions: Be ready to explain your design choices and how they align with brand strategy and business goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes assessing not only design talent but also the ability to work independently, manage projects, and strategically align creative output with brand objectives. The portfolio review is critical, requiring a strategic selection of work that showcases versatility and end-to-end project ownership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Essential proficiency in Photoshop for image manipulation and creation.

• Video Editing Software: Expertise in Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro for producing video content such as social media clips, advertisements, or promotional videos.

• Design Software: Proficiency in other Adobe Creative Suite applications like Illustrator (for vector graphics, logos) and InDesign (for print layout, brochures, collateral) is highly beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role, but understanding how marketing collateral is deployed through CRM or marketing automation platforms could provide context for content creation needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical tools are explicitly mentioned: Adobe Photoshop for image production/editing and video editing software (Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro). Proficiency in other Adobe Creative Suite applications like Illustrator and InDesign is a strong expectation for a versatile graphic designer.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose: Mars has a strong focus on purpose, aiming to make a positive impact on people, communities, and the planet. This Designer will contribute by crafting visuals that communicate brand values and sustainability efforts.

• People: A culture that values contributions, fosters leadership, and recognizes individual impact. Associates are encouraged to manage and grow their energy for work and life.

• Excellence: A commitment to high standards in brand representation and creative output. This means ensuring visual consistency and quality across all materials.

• Efficiency: In a stand-alone role, efficiency in workflow and project management is paramount. The company values finding optimal ways to achieve results.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with brand teams, marketing, and corporate affairs, necessitating strong communication and partnership skills.

• Feedback Exchange: A culture where feedback is given and received constructively to improve creative output and project outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: While a stand-alone designer, there will be opportunities to share insights on design trends and best practices with marketing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at Mars is characterized by a strong sense of purpose, valuing its people, and a drive for excellence. For this role, it translates to a need for a designer who is not only skilled but also aligned with these values, capable of working independently while fostering collaborative relationships.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Diverse Brands: Effectively juggling the distinct visual identities and needs of Snacking, Pet Nutrition, and Corporate Affairs brands.

• Stand-alone Role Demands: Operating autonomously, managing all aspects of design projects, and being the sole creative point person for a significant business segment.

• Balancing Volume and Quality: Producing a high volume of content while maintaining creative excellence and brand consistency.

• Adapting to Evolving Trends: Staying current with design trends and digital platform requirements to ensure content remains fresh and effective.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Software Skills: Opportunities to deepen expertise in video editing, motion graphics, or explore new creative tools.

• Brand Strategy Acumen: Gaining a deeper understanding of marketing strategy and consumer insights by working closely with brand and marketing teams.

• Project Management Mastery: Refining project management and stakeholder communication skills through hands-on experience with diverse projects.

• Industry Exposure: Potentially attending industry events or workshops related to graphic design, digital marketing, or FMCG branding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenges stem from the autonomous nature of the role and the breadth of brands and content types to manage. Growth opportunities are directly linked to overcoming these challenges by deepening technical skills, strategic understanding, and project management capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for managing multiple design projects simultaneously, especially when working solo. How do you prioritize?" (Focus on project management, time blocking, and communication strategies.)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across different platforms and for different brands, using your portfolio as an example?" (Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and strategic visual application.)

• "Walk us through a campaign where your design significantly contributed to achieving marketing objectives. What was your role from concept to execution?" (Prepare a case study demonstrating strategic thinking and end-to-end project ownership.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Mars and specifically within our Multisales segment?" (Research Mars's brands, values, and recent initiatives in NZ.)

• "How do you envision contributing to our brands' visual identity and marketing efforts as our sole Graphic Designer?" (Connect your skills to the specific needs of the role and Mars's brand portfolio.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Narrative Flow: Structure your portfolio presentation with a clear narrative for each project: the brief/problem, your creative solution/process, and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Autonomy & Strategy: For each project, explicitly state your role, emphasize any independent decision-making or strategic considerations you made, and clearly articulate how your design addressed the brief.

• Showcase Technical Versatility: Demonstrate your proficiency in Photoshop, video editing, and potentially other relevant software through your examples.

• Engage and Discuss: Be prepared to discuss your work in detail, answer questions about your design choices, and engage in a dialogue about creative concepts and problem-solving.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design skills but also the maturity, self-management, and strategic thinking required for a stand-alone role. Preparing specific examples from your portfolio that illustrate these qualities will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

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

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight relevant experience in FMCG/Retail, graphic design, video editing, and content strategy. Ensure it showcases your ability to manage multiple brands and projects independently.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to clearly articulate your years of experience, proficiency with required software (Photoshop, video editing tools), project management successes, and any experience in stand-alone or lead design roles. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, project management approach, and how you ensure brand consistency. Prepare specific examples for strategic, behavioral, and creative questions.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Mars, its brands (especially Snacking and Pet Nutrition in NZ), its values, and its recent marketing activities. Understand the company's commitment to sustainability and purpose.

⚠️ 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.