Lead Designer Graphique (Senior) H/F at BOULANGER

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Designer Graphique (Senior) H/F
Company: BOULANGER
Location: Lesquin, Hauts-de-France, France
Job Type: Temps complet (Full-time)
Category: Creative Operations / Marketing Design
Date Posted: 2025-07-30T12:49:28.763
Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Spearhead the visual and graphic coherence of the Boulanger brand across all platforms, ensuring brand consistency and impact.
Drive creative excellence and innovation within the Design team, fostering a culture of collaborative design and continuous improvement.
Lead the production of impactful graphic content, from conceptualization to final delivery, aligning with brand strategy and market trends.
Mentor and develop junior designers, elevating team skills in graphic design, motion, video, and emerging AI technologies.
Act as a key stakeholder in the transformation of creative processes, enhancing efficiency and visual impact within the Marketing department.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership opportunity within the creative operations function, focusing on brand stewardship, team development, and process innovation. The emphasis on "transformation" and "AI" suggests a forward-thinking approach to design within a retail context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

Conceptualize and execute creative briefs from inception to final production, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and marketing objectives.
Develop and maintain visual identity standards and graphic charters across all touchpoints, including print, digital, and potentially experiential marketing.
Lead brainstorming sessions and actively contribute to the evolution of creative strategies, incorporating new design trends and technologies.
Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external agencies (photo, video, motion) to ensure high-quality creative output.
Champion the adoption of AI tools and technologies within the design workflow to enhance productivity and creative possibilities.
Provide expert guidance and feedback to the design team, fostering a culture of constructive criticism and skill development.
Oversee the quality and consistency of all visual assets, ensuring they reflect the Boulanger brand DNA and resonate with the target audience.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and workflows within the Creation and Production Pole.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on hands-on creative production and team leadership. The requirement to "make the team grow" and integrate AI suggests a strategic role in shaping the future of the design function at Boulanger.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Communication, or a related field is typically expected for a senior role of this nature.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in graphic design, preferably within an agency, retail environment, or an internal studio. This experience should demonstrate a strong track record in leading creative projects and managing brand identity.

Required Skills:

Mastery of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
Proficiency in Figma for UI/UX and collaborative design workflows.
Expertise in motion design and video editing tools.
Strong understanding of print design principles and production processes.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and guide a design team.
Exceptional creativity and a keen eye for detail, with a strong sense of aesthetic and visual storytelling.
Excellent understanding of brand identity development and maintenance.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
Proactive and collaborative approach to teamwork and cross-functional communication.
Familiarity with AI tools relevant to design and content creation.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with "Dartagnan" (specific tool or platform, if known).
Proficiency in motion graphics software like After Effects.
Experience in retail marketing or e-commerce design.
Understanding of user experience (UX) principles in digital design.
Ability to conduct trend analysis and integrate new design methodologies.
Experience in managing external creative vendors and freelancers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 5+ years of experience, coupled with leadership and team growth responsibilities, clearly positions this as a senior-level role. The mention of specific tools like Adobe Suite, Figma, and AI tools indicates a need for technical proficiency alongside creative and people management skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

A curated portfolio showcasing a range of design projects across print and digital media.
Demonstrations of brand identity development, campaign creative, and visual asset production.
Examples of work that highlight creative problem-solving and adherence to brand guidelines.
Case studies or project examples that illustrate leadership in design, team collaboration, or process improvement.
Visuals demonstrating proficiency in motion design and video content creation.

Process Documentation:

Evidence of managing the design process from brief to delivery, including workflow organization and project management.
Examples of how you've contributed to establishing or evolving design standards and best practices.
Documentation or discussion points around how you've used feedback loops to refine creative output and team processes.
Examples of integrating new tools or technologies (like AI) into existing design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior and leadership nature of the role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display creative output but also demonstrate process management, leadership capabilities, and an understanding of how to drive team performance and integrate new technologies like AI.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary for a Lead Graphic Designer (Senior) in France, particularly in the Hauts-de-France region, with 5-10 years of experience, can range from €45,000 to €65,000 annually, depending on experience, specific responsibilities, and the company's compensation structure.
Benefits: While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, typical benefits at a company like Boulanger might include:

Competitive salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
Comprehensive health insurance (mutuelle).
Meal vouchers (tickets restaurant).
Employee discounts on Boulanger products.
Opportunities for professional development and training.
Contribution to transport costs.
Potential for hybrid work arrangements if company policy evolves.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically implying a standard 35-40 hour work week in France, likely aligned with standard business hours in Lesquin. The mention of "Temps complet" suggests a commitment to the full working week.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated based on industry benchmarks for senior graphic design roles in France, considering the location and experience level. Benefits are typical for a large French retail company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail (Electronics, Home Appliances, Multimedia). Boulanger is a well-established player in the French market, known for its physical stores and e-commerce presence. Company Size: Boulanger operates over 220 stores and has a significant online presence, indicating a large to very large enterprise. This means established processes but also potential for impact within a transformation phase. Founded: Over 70 years ago. This long history suggests a stable company with deep roots in the French market, now undergoing modernization and transformation.

Team Structure:

The Lead Graphic Designer will be part of the "Pôle Création et Production" (Creation and Production Pole).
They will report to the Head of the Creation and Production Pole and will work closely with other marketing and communication directors, including Matthieu, the Director of Marketing and Communication.
The role involves collaboration with "experts métiers demandeurs" (requesting business experts) across different departments.
The team is described as needing to be "embarquer" (onboarded) and "faire monter en compétence" (skill development), suggesting a team that is either growing or evolving.

Methodology:

The company emphasizes a customer-centric approach ("tout commence avec le client").
Core values are "Pro" (expertise, rigor, commitment), "Simple" (accessible, clear solutions), and "Sympa" (good humor, authentic relationships).
The company culture encourages learning, growth, and collaboration ("osons ensemble" - let's dare together).
The design team is expected to foster a culture of feedback, idea generation, and continuous improvement.

Company Website: www.boulanger.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Boulanger presents itself as a company balancing tradition with a forward-looking approach to transformation, particularly in its creative and digital functions. The emphasis on values like "Pro," "Simple," and "Sympa" suggests a culture that values professionalism, customer focus, and positive working relationships.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Lead position, indicating significant experience and responsibility. It sits at a crucial intersection of creative execution and team leadership within the marketing operations and creative production functions. The role is expected to contribute to strategic brand direction and operational efficiency in design output. Reporting Structure: The Lead Graphic Designer reports to the Head of the Creation and Production Pole and collaborates directly with the Director of Marketing and Communication. This structure places the role within the core marketing leadership team, with opportunities to influence strategy. Operations Impact: The Lead Graphic Designer's impact is significant, directly influencing the visual representation and brand perception of Boulanger across all customer touchpoints. By ensuring visual coherence and driving creative innovation, they contribute to brand strength, customer engagement, and ultimately, sales performance and market positioning.

Growth Opportunities:

Leadership Development: Opportunity to grow into a management role, overseeing a larger creative team or heading up specific creative initiatives.
Strategic Influence: Contribute to the long-term brand strategy and visual direction of Boulanger during a period of transformation.
Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in emerging areas like AI-driven design, motion graphics, or user experience design within a retail context.
Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working across various departments, understanding broader business objectives and how design supports them.
Industry Recognition: Contribute to impactful creative campaigns that could lead to industry recognition.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement from a senior individual contributor to a leadership position, with opportunities to shape the brand's visual future and develop expertise in modern creative technologies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Lesquin, France, indicating an on-site position within Boulanger's corporate offices or a dedicated creative studio. This environment is likely structured, professional, and designed to support collaborative work within the marketing and production teams. Office Location(s): Avenue de la Motte, 59810 Lesquin, France. This location is within the Hauts-de-France region. Workspace Context:

The workspace will likely facilitate collaboration with other members of the Creation and Production Pole, as well as other marketing and business teams.
Access to necessary design tools and technology, including Adobe Suite, Figma, and potentially advanced hardware for motion graphics and video.
An environment that encourages brainstorming, feedback, and the sharing of creative ideas.
Opportunities to interact with marketing leadership and contribute to strategic discussions.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time schedule is expected, likely Monday to Friday, with flexibility potentially available depending on project needs and company policy. The role requires active participation in team activities and project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement suggests a preference for direct collaboration and team synergy, typical for creative leadership roles where mentorship and real-time feedback are crucial.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

Step 1: Phone Interview: Initial screening with Yanis (HR) to assess general fit, motivation, and alignment with Boulanger's values. Be prepared to discuss your career trajectory and interest in the role.
Step 2: Physical Interview: In-person meeting with Marine (Head of Creation and Production) and Yanis (HR). This will delve deeper into your creative experience, leadership style, and understanding of Boulanger's brand.
Step 3: Creative Challenge: A practical assignment to assess your creative skills, problem-solving abilities, and approach to tackling design briefs. This is also an opportunity to showcase your design process.
Step 4: Final Interview: Meeting with Matthieu (Director of Marketing and Communication) for a final assessment of your strategic fit, leadership potential, and alignment with the company's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your senior-level skills, leadership, and experience relevant to retail and brand consistency. Include examples of print, digital, and motion graphics.
Showcase Process: For key projects, present not just the final output but also your thought process, initial concepts, challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Highlight your role in team collaboration or leadership.
Quantify Impact: Where possible, include metrics or outcomes that demonstrate the effectiveness of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, improved brand recognition, successful campaign results).
Highlight AI Integration: If you have experience using AI tools in your design workflow, be prepared to discuss this and provide examples.
Tailor to Boulanger: Emphasize projects that align with Boulanger's brand, values, and the retail sector.

Challenge Preparation:

Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze the creative challenge brief, paying attention to objectives, target audience, and brand constraints.
Structure Your Response: Organize your approach logically, outlining your conceptualization, design execution, and justification for your creative choices.
Demonstrate Leadership: If the challenge allows, show how you would guide a team or collaborate to achieve the outcome.
Time Management: Practice completing similar design tasks within a set timeframe.
Presentation Skills: Prepare to present your solution clearly and concisely, articulating your rationale and addressing potential questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process includes a practical creative challenge, emphasizing the importance of a strong portfolio and the ability to demonstrate skills under assessment. Applicants should prepare to discuss their creative process and leadership approach in detail.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

Adobe Creative Suite: Essential for a wide range of graphic design, illustration, and layout tasks. This includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Figma: Crucial for collaborative design, UI/UX design, prototyping, and design system management.
Motion Design Software: Likely Adobe After Effects for creating animated graphics, video intros/outros, and dynamic visual content.
Video Editing Software: Potentially Adobe Premiere Pro or similar for editing video assets used in campaigns.
AI Tools: Mentioned as a key area for growth and integration, suggesting familiarity with or willingness to learn AI-powered design assistants, image generators, or workflow automation tools.

Analytics & Reporting: While not directly part of the designer's toolset, understanding how design performance is measured (e.g., through A/B testing of visuals, engagement metrics on digital platforms) is beneficial. CRM & Automation: Awareness of how marketing automation platforms and CRM systems utilize creative assets would be advantageous for ensuring design output is effectively deployed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in industry-standard design software (Adobe Suite, Figma) is non-negotiable. The specific mention of motion design, video, and AI tools indicates a need for a versatile designer capable of producing modern, dynamic content and embracing new technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

Pro (Professionalism): Expectation of high-quality work, expertise in design principles, and commitment to brand standards. Operations professionals are expected to be rigorous and reliable.
Simple (Simplicity): A preference for clear, effective communication and straightforward solutions in design and process. Avoid overly complex or convoluted creative approaches.
Sympa (Friendliness): Cultivating positive, authentic relationships within the team and with stakeholders. A collaborative and supportive team environment is valued.
Customer Focus: All creative output should ultimately serve the customer experience and meet their needs.
Innovation & Transformation: Embracing new ideas, technologies (especially AI), and ways of working to drive the brand forward.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Close collaboration with marketing, production, and other business units to understand needs and deliver effective creative solutions.
Feedback Culture: Openness to giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve design quality and team processes.
Idea Generation: Encouraging brainstorming and the sharing of diverse perspectives to foster creativity and innovation.
Team Empowerment: A leadership style that aims to develop and empower team members, fostering collective growth and skill enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a blend of professional execution, collaborative spirit, and a modern, adaptable approach to creativity, aligning well with the demands of a senior creative role in a transforming organization.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Consistency: Ensuring innovative designs remain aligned with Boulanger's established brand identity and strategic objectives.
Managing Multiple Stakeholder Needs: Effectively translating diverse requests from various business units into cohesive and impactful visual assets.
Integrating AI Tools: Successfully adopting and integrating new AI technologies into the existing design workflow, potentially requiring training and process adjustments.
Team Development: Mentoring and upskilling a team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance in a dynamic environment.
Pace of Retail: Adapting to the fast-paced nature of the retail industry, requiring quick turnaround times for creative assets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

AI in Design: Gaining hands-on experience and expertise in utilizing AI tools for creative acceleration and innovation.
Brand Transformation: Playing a key role in shaping the visual evolution of a well-known retail brand.
Leadership Skills: Developing management and team leadership capabilities within a structured corporate setting.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Enhancing understanding of marketing strategy, production workflows, and business objectives through close interaction with other departments.
Industry Trends: Staying abreast of the latest design trends, technologies, and best practices in retail marketing and creative production.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents a significant opportunity for professional growth by tackling challenges related to brand evolution, technology adoption, and team leadership in a prominent retail company.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

"How would you approach developing a new visual campaign for Boulanger's upcoming seasonal promotion, ensuring it aligns with our brand values and resonates with our target customers?" (Focus on process, creativity, and brand alignment).
"Describe a time you had to mentor or upskill a team member in a specific design skill. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, coaching, and team development).
"How do you stay updated on the latest design trends and emerging technologies like AI, and how would you propose integrating them into our current workflow?" (Focus on proactivity, innovation, and practical application).
"Given a brief that seems to conflict with brand guidelines, how would you handle the situation to ensure both the client's needs and brand integrity are met?" (Focus on problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking).
"What are your thoughts on the current visual identity of Boulanger, and where do you see opportunities for enhancement?" (Demonstrate research and strategic perspective).

Company & Culture Questions:

"What appeals to you about Boulanger as a company, and how do you see your values aligning with ours ('Pro', 'Simple', 'Sympa')?" (Show genuine interest and cultural fit).
"How do you foster a collaborative and positive team environment?" (Highlight teamwork and interpersonal skills).
"What is your understanding of our customer base, and how would your design approach cater to them?" (Demonstrate customer-centricity).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Start with Impact: Begin with your strongest, most relevant projects that showcase leadership and creative excellence.
Tell a Story: For each project, explain the brief, your creative process, the challenges, your solutions, and the results (quantified if possible).
Highlight Leadership: Explicitly point out instances where you led a project, mentored a colleague, or influenced team direction.
Showcase Versatility: Ensure your portfolio covers the breadth of skills required, from print to digital, motion graphics, and ideally, any AI-assisted work.
Be Prepared for Technical Questions: Be ready to discuss the software and techniques you used in your projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not only creative skill but also leadership potential, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of brand management within a retail context. Be ready to articulate your process and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

Submit your application through the provided link on SmartRecruiters.
Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to specifically highlight projects demonstrating leadership in graphic design, brand consistency, and creative production across print and digital media. Include examples of motion graphics and any AI tool utilization.
Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your 5+ years of experience, leadership achievements, proficiency in Adobe Suite, Figma, motion design, and your ability to mentor teams. Use keywords like "brand coherence," "creative direction," "team leadership," and "AI in design."
Mock Challenge Preparation: Anticipate the creative challenge by practicing design tasks that require quick conceptualization and execution, focusing on brand alignment and clear visual communication.
Company & Role Research: Thoroughly research Boulanger's current marketing campaigns, brand identity, and recent initiatives. Understand the company's values and the specific goals of the "transformation" mentioned in the job description.

⚠️ 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.

Lead Designer Graphique (Senior) H/F