Senior Digital Brand Designer - PepsiCo Park CDC Snacks

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Digital Brand Designer - PepsiCo Park CDC Snacks Company: PepsiCo Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Digital Brand Design / Creative Operations Date Posted: 2026-02-13 Experience Level: 6+ Years (Senior) Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead digital-first, motion-led storytelling across social platforms, driving brand presence and engagement.
• Execute end-to-end digital content creation, from concept development to final delivery, ensuring high impact and relevance.
• Develop and maintain distinctive brand assets and visual identities for iconic PepsiCo snack brands.
• Champion creative excellence and brand consistency across all digital touchpoints and campaigns.
• Mentor junior designers and collaborate cross-functionally to scale high-quality in-house content efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is framed within a "Creative Operations" context due to its emphasis on leading in-house content creation, streamlining workflows, managing resources, and accelerating time-to-market for digital assets, which are core operational functions within a creative department.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the concept-to-delivery execution of digital content for social platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts.
• Create standout motion design assets such as animated product reveals, loopable visuals, Instagram Story transitions, reels, and snackable content tailored for platform behaviors.
• Translate strategic campaign objectives into compelling visual narratives in collaboration with Brand Design Managers and cross-functional partners.
• Develop and evolve Distinctive Brand Assets, ensuring platform-specific optimization across ratios, responsiveness, and interactivity.
• Design and animate digital content for various touchpoints, including eCommerce, CRM, internal brand launches, and global campaigns.
• Own the visual identity for specific brands within the portfolio, in collaboration with Senior Design Managers, the Design Director, marketing teams, insights teams, and global design.
• Generate creative design proposals (scenarios, concepts), visualize desired output, and share with internal and external team members.
• Participate in research activities and translate customer needs into actionable design requirements and solutions.
• Drive final design recommendations, decisions, and approvals to enable artwork execution and production phases, considering all project variables for optimal performance.
• Create and maintain cohesive visual identities, including logos, guidelines, and scalable systems for digital execution.
• Champion brand consistency across all digital outputs, adhering to and evolving global guidelines with both rigor and creative flair.
• Ensure visual excellence in layout, typography, composition, and motion design, focusing on craft, clarity, and impact.
• Mentor and guide junior designers, providing feedback, support, and professional development within a collaborative studio environment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with brand designers, marketers, and external partners to bring integrated campaigns to life.
• Present design solutions to stakeholders and internal teams, articulating rationale clearly and responding constructively to feedback.
• Own and lead the digital design function across relevant PepsiCo brands, aligning creative output with business and campaign objectives.
• Drive in-house creation of high-impact, video-led content, reducing agency dependency and accelerating time-to-market.
• Manage project timelines, priorities, and design resources, ensuring delivery against deadlines without compromising quality.
• Streamline workflows, build production infrastructure, and introduce tools and processes that support scale and efficiency.
• Act as a key enabler of agile, high-volume content creation, balancing creativity with speed and consistency.
• Stay informed on design, motion, and platform trends, leveraging insights to keep content modern, relevant, and audience-specific.
• Proactively introduce new tools, techniques, and cultural references into the creative process to push boundaries and future-proof brand expression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are extensive, covering both hands-on creative execution and strategic leadership. The emphasis on "in-house creation," "streamlining workflows," "managing project timelines," and "accelerating time-to-market" highlights a strong operational component of this creative role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Not explicitly stated, but a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field is typically expected for this level. Experience: 6+ years of quality brand design experience.

Required Skills:

• Elite digital and motion craft expertise.
• Strategic design leadership capabilities.
• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects).
• Strong working knowledge of Figma, InDesign, and responsive design systems.
• Proven experience developing and executing visual identities across digital touchpoints.
• Solid grasp of UI/UX principles and digital brand storytelling.
• Strong sense of typography, color theory, motion design, and layout hierarchy.
• Excellent communication, feedback, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities, with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Experience in managing or mentoring junior creatives.
• Familiarity with digital marketing strategies and the role of design in driving brand engagement and performance.
• Ability to translate strategic campaign objectives into compelling visual narratives.
• Experience in creating motion graphics and animated content for social media platforms.
• Understanding of platform-specific behaviors and content optimization (e.g., Instagram Reels, TikTok).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within a fast-paced studio environment or agency.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a range of digital design and motion graphics projects for major brands.
• Familiarity with other design and collaboration tools.
• Knowledge of emerging digital trends and technologies.
• Experience working with global brands and understanding of international market nuances.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a blend of deep technical design skills ("elite digital & motion craft") and leadership/strategic thinking ("strategic design leader," "managing or mentoring junior creatives"). The mention of specific software like Figma alongside Adobe Creative Suite indicates a modern digital design workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of leading digital content creation from concept to final delivery across multiple social platforms.
• Showcase of motion design assets, including animated product reveals, dynamic social posts, and platform-specific content (e.g., Reels, TikToks).
• Case studies illustrating the development and evolution of Distinctive Brand Assets or visual identities for brands.
• Examples of optimizing designs for different digital touchpoints, such as eCommerce, CRM, and global campaigns.
• Visuals demonstrating strong typography, color theory, layout hierarchy, and motion design principles.
• Projects that reflect an understanding of UI/UX principles and digital brand storytelling.
• Evidence of strategic thinking in design, showing how creative solutions align with campaign objectives.
• Examples of maintaining brand consistency across various digital outputs.

Process Documentation:

• While not explicitly stated as "documentation," the role requires demonstrating an ability to "streamline workflows," "build production infrastructure," and "introduce tools and processes that support scale and efficiency." This implies a candidate should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for optimizing creative production processes.
• The ability to "manage project timelines, priorities, and design resources" suggests familiarity with project management methodologies within a creative context.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Digital Brand Designer, the portfolio is paramount. It needs to go beyond static visuals to showcase dynamic motion graphics and a strategic approach to brand expression in the digital space. The operational aspect of the role means candidates should be ready to articulate their process for managing projects and improving creative workflows.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Senior level, 6+ years of experience, and location in Cape Town, South Africa, a competitive salary would be expected. Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Digital Designers in major metropolitan areas and considering PepsiCo's global standing, the estimated annual salary range for this role in Cape Town could be approximately ZAR 650,000 - ZAR 950,000 (USD 35,000 - USD 50,000). This estimate is based on general market data for senior creative roles in South Africa and may vary based on specific skills, candidate experience, and PepsiCo's internal compensation structure.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance and medical aid.
• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension or provident fund).
• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and workshops.
• Employee assistance programs for personal and professional support.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.
• Access to employee discounts on PepsiCo products.
• Opportunities to work with iconic global brands.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. Flexibility may be offered depending on project demands and team needs, but the role is primarily on-site.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate for Cape Town, South Africa, based on general market data for senior creative/design roles. It is crucial for candidates to verify actual compensation during the interview process. The benefits listed are typical for large multinational corporations like PepsiCo.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). Company Size: Large (PepsiCo is a global corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide). Founded: 1965 (merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay).

Team Structure:

• The role is within the "PepsiCo Park CDC Snacks" division, suggesting a focus on specific snack brands.
• The Senior Digital Brand Designer will likely be part of a broader Brand Design or Marketing team.
• This team will include Brand Design Managers, a Design Director, and other designers (junior and potentially peer-level seniors).
• Close collaboration is expected with marketing teams, insights teams, and potentially global design functions.
• The role involves mentoring junior designers, indicating a team structure with a hierarchy or mentorship program.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: The role requires translating "customer needs into actionable design requirements" and aligning creative output with "business and campaign objectives," suggesting a data-informed approach.
• Agile Content Creation: Emphasis on "agile, high-volume content creation" implies a need for efficient, iterative processes.
• Motion-Led Storytelling: A core methodology focusing on dynamic, engaging visual narratives for social platforms.
• Brand Consistency & Evolution: Balancing adherence to global guidelines with creative flair to adapt and evolve brand expression.
• In-house Production Focus: Driving efficiency and speed by building internal capabilities and streamlining workflows.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's culture is strongly influenced by its scale, global reach, and focus on iconic brands. The "pep+" initiative highlights a commitment to sustainability and positive change, which may subtly influence creative direction and brand messaging. The "Park CDC Snacks" designation suggests a specialized unit, potentially with its own dynamic.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Individual Contributor with Leadership Potential. This role sits at a senior level within the creative function, requiring deep expertise and the ability to lead projects and mentor others. It bridges hands-on execution with strategic oversight.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Digital Brand Designer will report to a Brand Design Manager or the Design Director, depending on the specific team structure within PepsiCo Park CDC Snacks. They will also work closely with marketing stakeholders.

Operations Impact: This role directly impacts brand perception, consumer engagement, and ultimately, the performance of snack brands in digital channels. By driving "bold, scroll-stopping content" and ensuring "relevance and impact," the designer contributes to brand visibility, desirability, and sales conversion. The focus on in-house production also impacts operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and speed-to-market for creative assets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into a Lead Digital Designer, Brand Design Manager, or Creative Director role, managing larger teams and broader brand portfolios.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like motion graphics, animation, or digital brand strategy.
• Cross-Functional Experience: Gain exposure to broader marketing, insights, and global brand strategy teams.
• Skill Development: Continuous learning opportunities related to new design tools, social media trends, and digital marketing best practices.
• Mentorship: Formalize mentorship skills through guiding junior designers, preparing for future leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a large organization, moving from specialized design execution to broader creative leadership and strategic brand management. The emphasis on operational efficiency in creative production also provides opportunities for individuals interested in the intersection of creativity and operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job posting implies an on-site role at "5 PARC DU CAP, 14 Mispel Rd, Cape Town." This suggests a corporate office environment, likely a modern facility designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Cape Town, South Africa. PepsiCo has a global presence, but this specific role is tied to the Cape Town office.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The description mentions a "collaborative, fast-paced studio environment" and cross-functional collaboration. Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages interaction with designers, marketers, and other creative professionals.
• Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma), likely with robust hardware and IT support necessary for high-end motion graphics work.
• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and informal knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week. Given the creative and fast-paced nature of digital content creation, there might be periods requiring extended hours to meet campaign deadlines or respond to urgent market trends. However, the emphasis on "speed, relevance, and impact" suggests a need for efficient work practices within standard hours where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role in a major corporate office, the environment is expected to be professional, well-resourced, and conducive to collaborative creative work. The "PepsiCo Park CDC Snacks" context might imply specific branding or team integration within this physical space.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: Application review, potentially followed by a brief HR or recruiter screening call to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
2. Portfolio Review & Skills Assessment: A more in-depth discussion with a hiring manager (e.g., Design Manager or Director) focusing on the candidate's portfolio. This stage will likely involve live screen sharing to walk through key projects. Expect questions about design rationale, process, and problem-solving.
3. Creative Challenge/Test: Candidates may be asked to complete a design exercise or a take-home challenge to assess their skills in motion design, concept development, and execution under specific constraints. This is common for senior creative roles.
4. Cross-functional Interviews: Interviews with marketing stakeholders or peers to assess collaboration, communication, and strategic alignment.
5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., Head of Marketing or Creative Director) for final evaluation and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that directly align with the requirements: digital-first, motion-led, social platforms, brand consistency, and strategic thinking.
• Showcase Motion: Ensure your portfolio prominently features motion design and animation examples. Use video clips or GIFs effectively.
• Tell the Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the strategic objectives, your creative process, the challenges faced, and the results achieved (if quantifiable).
• Highlight Leadership: Include examples where you mentored junior designers, led projects, or streamlined workflows.
• Platform Specificity: Demonstrate understanding of how designs perform on specific platforms (Instagram, TikTok, etc.).
• Brand Consistency: Show examples of how you maintained or evolved brand identity across different digital assets.
• Prepare to Discuss: Be ready to deep-dive into your design decisions, software proficiency, and how you approach client feedback.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Carefully analyze any creative challenge prompt. Identify key objectives, target audience, and constraints.
• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a given timeframe, simulating the pressure of a real-world scenario.
• Focus on Strategy & Craft: Ensure your solution is not only visually appealing but also strategically sound and technically executed with high craft.
• Presentation Readiness: Prepare a concise presentation of your solution, clearly explaining your rationale and design choices. Be ready to verbally present it within a set time limit.
• Tool Proficiency: Be comfortable using the specified tools (likely Adobe Creative Suite, potentially Figma) for the challenge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to rigorously assess both creative talent and operational capability. A strong portfolio that showcases motion design, strategic thinking, and leadership, coupled with the ability to articulate processes and handle challenges, will be key to success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert proficiency is required, specifically:
  • After Effects: For motion design, animation, and visual effects.
  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, asset creation, and digital painting.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logo design, and icon creation.
• Figma: Strong working knowledge is expected for collaborative design, prototyping, and managing design systems.
• InDesign: For layout design, particularly if print or more complex multi-page digital documents are involved.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly listed as tools to use for analysis, the role requires understanding "the role of design in driving brand engagement and performance" and translating "customer needs into actionable design requirements." This implies a need to interpret basic performance metrics from social platforms or marketing reports to inform design decisions.

CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with how digital assets are deployed through CRM systems or marketing automation platforms might be beneficial, though not explicitly required. Understanding the end-goal of the digital content is important.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technology stack is heavily focused on design and motion graphics production. Proficiency in Adobe After Effects is critical due to the emphasis on motion-led storytelling. Figma's inclusion points towards a collaborative and system-oriented design workflow.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creative Excellence: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually stunning, and impactful design work.
• Brand Stewardship: Upholding and evolving the integrity and consistency of iconic PepsiCo brands.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new trends, tools, and methodologies to create modern, relevant content quickly.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse teams, sharing ideas, and providing constructive feedback.
• Efficiency & Speed: Driving in-house production and streamlined workflows to accelerate content delivery.
• Data-Informed Creativity: Using insights and performance data to guide design decisions and ensure effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect to work closely with Brand Design Managers, Marketing teams, Insights teams, and global design functions. This requires strong communication and the ability to translate creative ideas to non-designers.
• Feedback-Driven: The role involves presenting designs and responding to feedback constructively. A culture of open critique and iterative refinement is likely.
• Mentorship & Teamwork: A willingness to mentor junior designers and contribute to a supportive team environment is essential.
• Proactive Engagement: The role demands taking ownership and proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation in digital brand expression.

📝 Enhancement Note: PepsiCo's values, particularly "Winning with PepsiCo Positive (pep+)," suggest a company culture that values growth, sustainability, and positive impact. Within the creative team, these values likely translate to a drive for impactful, relevant, and forward-thinking brand communication.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of Digital Trends: Keeping up with rapidly evolving social media platforms, content formats, and cultural trends to ensure content remains relevant and impactful.
• Balancing Speed and Quality: Delivering high-volume, high-impact content quickly without compromising design craft or brand integrity.
• Stakeholder Management: Effectively managing feedback and expectations from multiple stakeholders across marketing, brand management, and global teams.
• Brand Consistency Across Portfolio: Ensuring a cohesive visual identity across a diverse range of snack brands, each with its own nuances.
• Driving In-house Efficiency: Streamlining workflows and building production infrastructure to reduce agency reliance, which can be a significant operational shift.
• Measuring Creative Impact: Quantifying the effectiveness of design and motion work in driving brand engagement and business objectives.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Motion Graphics & Animation: Deepen expertise in specialized techniques and software.
• Digital Strategy & Performance Marketing: Gain a stronger understanding of how design contributes to broader marketing goals and ROI.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Develop skills in guiding teams, managing projects, and fostering creative talent.
• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attend events focused on design, motion graphics, and digital marketing to stay current.
• Cross-Brand Exposure: Work on a variety of iconic snack brands, diversifying experience and portfolio.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to and learn from initiatives focused on optimizing creative operations and production workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a fast-moving digital environment within a large CPG company. The opportunities for growth are substantial, especially for those looking to combine creative expertise with operational leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Walk me through a project where you led the concept-to-delivery of a motion-led social media campaign. What were the objectives, your role, the process, and the outcome?" (Focus on strategy, execution, and results.)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency and visual excellence across multiple digital platforms and for different brands within a portfolio?" (Tests understanding of brand guidelines, systems thinking, and craft.)
• "Describe a time you had to streamline a creative workflow or introduce a new process/tool to improve efficiency in content production. What was the impact?" (Assesses operational thinking and problem-solving.)
• "How do you stay ahead of digital design and social media trends, and how do you incorporate them into your work?" (Evaluates proactivity, trend awareness, and innovation.)
• "Tell me about a challenging piece of feedback you received on a design project and how you handled it." (Assesses communication, adaptability, and handling constructive criticism.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about PepsiCo and our snack brands, and how do you see your design skills contributing to our success?" (Tests research and genuine interest.)
• "How would you approach mentoring junior designers on our team?" (Assesses leadership and team development skills.)
• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, collaborative studio environment." (Evaluates cultural fit and adaptability.)
• "How do you think design contributes to PepsiCo's 'pep+' sustainability vision?" (Connects creative work to broader company values.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type or by brand. For each project, have a clear title, a brief overview, your specific role, the challenge, your process, the solution, and the impact/results.
• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups and video examples. Ensure motion graphics are clearly demonstrated.
• Narrative: Tell a story for each project. Explain why you made certain design decisions.
• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key projects within a given timeframe (e.g., 5-10 minutes per project).
• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, and any other relevant tools, potentially demonstrating live.
• Operational Insights: For projects where you influenced workflow or efficiency, be ready to discuss those aspects.

Challenge Preparation:

• Focus on Motion & Social: If a challenge is given, anticipate it will involve creating a short, engaging piece of motion content for a social platform.
• Understand Constraints: Pay close attention to any time limits, specific brand guidelines, or platform requirements.
• Strategic Rationale: Be prepared to justify your creative choices based on the brief and target audience.
• Technical Execution: Ensure your final output is polished and technically sound.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just creative talent but also strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and leadership capabilities. Articulating your process and impact clearly is as crucial as the visual output itself.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Digital Brand Designer position:

• Submit your application through the PepsiCo Jobs portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your strongest work in digital-first, motion-led design for social platforms, and brand asset development. Ensure it prominently features animated content and case studies demonstrating strategic thinking and execution for consumer brands.
• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize your 6+ years of experience, expert-level skills in Adobe Creative Suite and Figma, and any experience in mentoring junior creatives or streamlining creative workflows. Use keywords from the job description like "motion design," "digital brand storytelling," and "content creation."
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, rationale, and impact for key portfolio pieces. Prepare to discuss your approach to brand consistency, trend awareness, and operational efficiency in creative production. Rehearse answers to common interview questions, focusing on STAR method responses for behavioral questions.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with PepsiCo's recent campaigns, its "pep+" initiative, and its current brand presence across various social platforms, particularly for its snack portfolio. Understand the company's mission and values to articulate your cultural fit.

⚠️ 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.