Senior Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Graphic Designer

Company: Metcash

Location: Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Job Type: Contract (Maternity Leave)

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: 2025-12-30

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the creative direction and execution of high-quality digital assets for marketing campaigns.

• Manage and mentor a small, distributed design team, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.

• Drive the optimization of digital assets across various platforms, ensuring brand consistency and impact.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders and a Motion Designer to integrate visual elements across diverse media.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a maternity leave contract until early February 2027, indicating a need for immediate impact and established expertise. The hybrid work model with specific onsite days requires strong time management and self-discipline. The mention of managing offshore teams suggests a need for excellent communication and cross-cultural collaboration skills.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Take creative lead on digital output, conceptualizing and producing impactful assets for digital campaigns.

• Update and maintain website assets, landing pages, and campaign communications to align with brand guidelines and marketing objectives.

• Design engaging paid ads and organic social media assets that enhance brand presence and engagement.

• Create a variety of digital assets, including banners and eDMs, ensuring visual appeal and effectiveness.

• Collaborate with a Motion Designer on TV ads, social media video content, and other video requirements.

• Efficiently manage design workflows to maximize team productivity and timely delivery of assets.

• Mentor and guide a small local and offshore team, fostering skill development and ensuring high-quality artwork.

• Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries from retailers, clients, and consumers regarding design assets.

• Monitor and report on team productivity using Asana, adjusting resources as necessary to meet project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a senior-level role where hands-on design work is combined with team leadership and workflow management. The emphasis on "bringing campaigns to life" and supporting "digital campaign execution" highlights a strong focus on marketing impact and brand storytelling through design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating equivalent practical experience and formal training in graphic design or a related field is expected.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a significant focus on digital channels and asset creation.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in graphic design and asset creation specifically for digital channels.

• Proficient in Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, with a strong emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, within a Mac environment.

• Solid understanding of best practices for optimizing digital assets across various platforms (website, social media, ads, eDMs).

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and implementing solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in video editing and/or motion design using After Effects and Premiere Pro.

• A keen eye for UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design principles as they apply to broader digital outputs.

• Experience mentoring or managing a small design team, including individuals offshore.

• Familiarity with Asana or similar project management and productivity tracking tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma alongside Adobe Creative Suite suggests a modern design workflow that favors collaborative tools. The preference for video/motion design skills indicates a growing need for dynamic content, even if not a primary requirement. The "eye for good UI & UX design" points towards a holistic approach to digital asset creation that considers user interaction.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a strong track record in creating impactful digital assets for campaigns across various channels (web, social, ads, eDMs).

• Case studies demonstrating the process of conceptualizing, designing, and optimizing digital assets, highlighting problem-solving and stakeholder collaboration.

• Examples of how brand guidelines were applied and potentially evolved across different digital touchpoints.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates should be prepared to discuss their personal design process, including how they approach briefing, concept development, iteration, and final asset delivery.

• The ability to articulate how they manage and optimize workflows for maximum productivity, especially when working with a team and across different locations.

• Documentation or examples of how they track productivity and report on project status, referencing tools like Asana.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of the role and the emphasis on team management and workflow efficiency, a portfolio that clearly illustrates not just design output but also process, problem-solving, and leadership capabilities will be highly valued. The ability to demonstrate how they've mentored others or improved team processes will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Senior Graphic Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Port Melbourne, Australia, and considering the contract nature, a competitive salary range is estimated between AUD $85,000 - $110,000 per annum, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Extra Leave: 5th week of annual leave, 2 well-being days, and 1 volunteer day annually.

• Career Growth: Access to ongoing learning and development opportunities.

• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of gender-neutral paid leave for primary carers.

• Inclusive Culture: Recognition as a Bronze Employer for LGBTQ Inclusion.

• Neutral Pay Gap: Gender pay gap under 5% (WGEA 2024–2025).

• Mental Health Support: Gold accreditation by Mental Health Australia.

• Flexibility: Accredited Flex Ready and Family Friendly Workplace.

• Hybrid Work: Opportunity to work a hybrid schedule (3 days onsite, 2 days remote).

Working Hours: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through the hybrid work arrangement. Specific onsite days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on current market data for similar roles in the Australian market, considering the seniority and the specific skill set required. The benefits package is extensive and reflects a company that prioritizes employee well-being, growth, and inclusivity, which are significant draws for senior talent.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail and wholesale distribution, specifically within the hardware and tools sector. Metcash operates under well-known brands like Mitre 10, Total Tools, and Home Timber & Hardware.

Company Size: Metcash is a large, publicly listed company, part of the Total Tools & Hardware Group (TTHG), indicating a substantial organizational structure with diverse departments and a broad employee base.

Founded: While the founding date of Metcash is not specified in the provided text, its long-standing presence in the Australian market, supporting independent businesses for decades, suggests a stable and established organization.

Team Structure:

• The design team is part of an in-house Design department, led by a Senior Design Manager.

• The Senior Graphic Designer will directly manage a small team, including members located offshore, requiring strong remote leadership and coordination skills.

• This role requires significant collaboration with various stakeholders, including marketing teams, potentially product teams, and external clients/retailers.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making and reporting, as indicated by the requirement to report on productivity in Asana and adjust resources.

• A focus on brand consistency and adherence to brand guidelines across all digital assets.

• A commitment to efficient workflow management and maximizing productivity within the design process.

• A customer-centric approach, requiring prompt responses to retailer, client, and consumer queries.

Company Website: https://careers.metcash.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Metcash's position as a national network supporting independent businesses suggests a culture that values community, local ownership, and empowering partners. The operations of such a large entity likely involve robust processes and a focus on efficiency, which will be reflected in the design team's work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Graphic Designer role, indicating a position of significant responsibility and expertise. It involves not only individual creative contribution but also leadership, team management, and strategic input into digital asset creation. It sits above junior and mid-level designer roles.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer reports to the Senior Design Manager. They will also manage a small team of designers, potentially including individuals working remotely or offshore. This dual reporting/management structure is common for senior individual contributors with team leadership responsibilities.

Operations Impact: The Senior Graphic Designer's role is crucial for the visual communication and brand representation of Metcash's various brands across digital platforms. Their work directly influences campaign effectiveness, brand perception, customer engagement, and ultimately, the success of marketing initiatives. By leading the creation of compelling digital assets, they contribute to driving traffic, conversions, and reinforcing brand loyalty.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to hone management and mentoring skills by leading a small team, including offshore members.

• Strategic Design Input: Potential to influence the broader digital creative strategy and brand direction for campaigns.

• Skill Expansion: Exposure to various brands within the Metcash portfolio, offering diverse design challenges and opportunities to expand portfolio breadth.

• Industry Exposure: Working within a large, established retail and distribution company provides significant industry experience and networking opportunities.

• Potential for Permanent Roles: While this is a contract role, strong performance could lead to opportunities for permanent positions within Metcash's growing teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The contract nature of the role offers a chance to gain experience within a large corporation and potentially transition to a permanent position. The leadership responsibilities provide a clear stepping stone for career advancement into design management or more strategic creative roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia, and operates under a hybrid model. This suggests a modern office environment that supports a mix of in-office collaboration and remote work.

Office Location(s): Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Specific details about the office amenities or accessibility would need to be confirmed directly.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and emphasis on stakeholder collaboration suggest a dynamic work environment that balances focused individual work with team interaction. The onsite days (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) are likely designated for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and in-person collaboration.

• Tools & Technology: Access to a Mac environment with industry-standard design software (Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud) is provided. Proficiency in project management tools like Asana is expected for workflow and productivity tracking.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with the Senior Design Manager, other members of the design team, and cross-functional stakeholders are integral to the role. Regular team meetings and project discussions will facilitate this.

Work Schedule: A hybrid schedule of three days onsite (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays) and two days remote is standard. This offers flexibility while maintaining in-person collaboration. The typical work week is 40 hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid setup is designed to offer the best of both worlds: the collaborative energy and focus of an office environment on designated days, and the flexibility and autonomy of remote work. Understanding how to maximize productivity in both settings will be key.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of your resume and portfolio to assess suitability for the Senior Graphic Designer role and contract duration.

• First Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager (Senior Design Manager) to discuss your experience, design philosophy, leadership approach, and technical skills. Expect questions about your experience with digital asset creation, team management, and workflow optimization.

• Skills Assessment/Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio. Be prepared to discuss specific projects, your creative process, problem-solving strategies, and how you achieved results. This may include a practical design exercise or a discussion of how you would approach specific Metcash design challenges.

• Final Interview: Potentially with other key stakeholders or a panel to assess cultural fit and overall suitability for the team and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your expertise in digital asset creation, campaign execution, and your ability to apply brand guidelines effectively. Include examples of social media assets, website updates, banners, and eDMs.

• Showcase Process: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your conceptual approach, the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and the final outcome. Highlight your problem-solving skills and stakeholder collaboration.

• Highlight Leadership: If you have experience managing teams, include examples or case studies that showcase your mentoring capabilities, workflow management, and ability to drive team productivity.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your experience with Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud. If you have motion design skills (After Effects, Premiere Pro), ensure these are also represented.

• Tailor to Metcash: Research Metcash and its brands (Mitre 10, Total Tools). Understand their visual identity and target audience, and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their needs.

Challenge Preparation:

• Digital Asset Optimization: Be ready to discuss how you optimize assets for different digital channels, considering file sizes, responsiveness, and user experience.

• Workflow Management: Prepare to explain your methods for managing multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring timely delivery, especially when managing a distributed team.

• Brand Consistency: Discuss strategies for maintaining brand consistency across diverse digital touchpoints and how you would onboard new team members to these standards.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would handle conflicting feedback from stakeholders, resolve design challenges, or address underperforming assets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "bringing campaigns to life" and managing workflows suggests that interviewers will be keen to see how you translate strategic objectives into tangible, effective design outcomes, and how you lead a team to achieve this efficiently.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design, prototyping, and creating digital assets. Proficiency is a key requirement.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and asset creation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and detailed illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout and design of digital publications, eDMs, and potentially web content integration.

• Asana: Required for reporting on productivity, managing workflows, and team task management.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly specified for the designer role, but an understanding of how design assets integrate with marketing automation platforms and CRM systems for campaign execution would be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, highlights the core technical requirements. Proficiency in Asana is specifically called out for workflow and productivity management, indicating its integration into the team's daily operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, impactful digital assets that meet brand standards and campaign objectives.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where team members can share ideas, provide feedback, and work together effectively, both locally and offshore.

• Efficiency & Productivity: Driving optimized workflows and leveraging tools like Asana to ensure timely and effective delivery of design projects.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Staying current with digital design trends and being proactive in finding creative solutions to design challenges.

• Customer Focus: Understanding the needs of retailers, clients, and consumers and ensuring design outputs are aligned with their expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, likely including marketing managers, campaign specialists, and potentially digital strategists.

• Feedback & Iteration: A culture of constructive feedback and iterative design is expected, essential for refining assets and ensuring they meet objectives.

• Remote Team Management: Developing effective communication and collaboration strategies for managing an offshore team, ensuring alignment and shared understanding.

• Brand Stewardship: Acting as a guardian of the brand's visual identity, ensuring consistency and quality across all digital touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Metcash's focus on supporting independent businesses suggests a culture that values partnership, reliability, and community. Within the Design team, this likely translates to a collaborative, supportive, and results-oriented environment where individuals are empowered to contribute to the success of the brands they represent.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing a Distributed Team: Effectively leading and motivating designers located offshore requires strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and robust remote management practices.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Brand Constraints: Ensuring that innovative designs remain aligned with established brand guidelines and specific campaign objectives.

• Rapid Pace of Digital Trends: Keeping up with evolving digital platforms, user behaviors, and design trends to ensure assets remain relevant and effective.

• Stakeholder Management: Navigating diverse feedback and priorities from multiple stakeholders to deliver cohesive and successful design outcomes.

• Maternity Leave Contract Duration: Adapting quickly to the role and making a significant impact within the fixed contract period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Digital Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific areas of digital design, potentially through online courses or workshops.

• Leadership and Management Training: Developing skills in team leadership, feedback delivery, and performance management through practical experience.

• Cross-Brand Exposure: Gaining experience working with a variety of well-known brands within the Metcash portfolio, broadening design versatility.

• Project Management Skills: Enhancing proficiency in project management tools and methodologies through day-to-day use and reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be quickly integrating into the team and demonstrating immediate value, particularly in leading the offshore team and managing workflows effectively within the contract timeframe. The growth opportunities are significant for someone looking to step into a leadership role and gain broad corporate design experience.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking a campaign brief from concept to final digital asset delivery, ensuring brand consistency and stakeholder satisfaction."

• "How do you approach mentoring and managing a design team, especially when members are located offshore? What are your strategies for ensuring quality and productivity?"

• "Walk us through a time you had to optimize digital assets for multiple platforms. What were the key considerations and how did you ensure effectiveness?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Metcash and its brands (e.g., Mitre 10, Total Tools)?"

• "How do you contribute to a collaborative team environment, especially in a hybrid work setting?"

• "How do you ensure your design work aligns with business objectives and contributes to campaign success?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly outline the problem, your solution, your role, the tools used, and the results achieved. Emphasize your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, click-through rates, brand recall).

• Showcase Workflow: Be prepared to discuss your personal workflow, how you manage feedback, and how you collaborate with others, including motion designers or developers.

• Highlight Leadership: If discussing team management, use specific examples of how you coached, guided, or improved processes for your team.

• Be Ready for a Design Challenge: Practice a quick, hypothetical design task related to digital ads or social media, focusing on your thought process and ability to apply brand elements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviewers will likely be assessing your ability to blend creative expertise with a pragmatic, results-oriented approach, particularly given the contract nature and team management responsibilities. Demonstrating a clear understanding of Metcash's business and brands will be a significant advantage.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Metcash careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features your best digital design work, especially for campaigns, social media, and web assets. Tailor your selection to highlight experience with Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Resume Optimization: Clearly articulate your experience in digital asset creation, team leadership, workflow management, and proficiency with relevant design tools. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on your design process, problem-solving skills, and any experience managing or mentoring designers. Be ready to discuss your approach to hybrid work and stakeholder collaboration.

• Research Metcash: Familiarize yourself with Metcash's brands (Mitre 10, Total Tools, Home Timber & Hardware), their target audiences, and their current marketing efforts to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

⚠️ 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.

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