Lead Graphic Designer - NZ

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Lead Graphic Designer - NZ

Company: Asahi Beverages

Location: New Zealand

Job Type: Full-Time, Contractor

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing

Date Posted: September 30, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the in-house Graphic Design team, ensuring efficient workflow and high-quality creative output.

• Drive end-to-end delivery of impactful graphic design projects, from concept to final execution, across various marketing and product materials.

• Foster team capability development and champion continuous improvement initiatives within the design function.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders to align design strategies with brand, commercial, and manufacturing objectives.

• Oversee the design of packaging, point-of-sale materials, trade presentations, and marketing collateral for a diverse FMCG portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a blend of leadership and hands-on creative expertise, emphasizing the strategic importance of design within the FMCG sector. The contract nature suggests a project-driven focus, likely involving specific campaigns or product launches.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Graphic Design team, effectively managing workflow, prioritization, and team engagement to maximize productivity and morale.

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of graphic design projects, encompassing packaging artwork, point-of-sale (POS) materials, trade presentations, and broader marketing collateral.

• Support and contribute to creative development for new product concepts, innovation projects, and advertising campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and market appeal.

• Drive process improvements and implement workflow enhancements to boost team efficiency, creative output, and overall operational effectiveness.

• Partner proactively with cross-functional teams, including Innovation, Shopper Marketing, Brand, and Supply Chain, to ensure design solutions precisely meet brand guidelines, commercial targets, and manufacturing specifications.

• Manage multiple complex projects concurrently, meticulously ensuring adherence to established timelines, quality standards, and budget constraints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on people management and project execution, typical for a lead role. Emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and manufacturing requirements points to a need for practical, production-ready design skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for a Lead role. Relevant certifications in design software or leadership may also be beneficial.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in graphic design, with a strong emphasis on leading creative teams and managing projects within a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated experience in the FMCG sector is highly regarded.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in graphic design, with a portfolio showcasing work from agency, in-house, or freelance settings.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and deliver against complex client or stakeholder briefs, translating strategic objectives into compelling visual designs.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, for creating and manipulating design assets.

• Strong understanding of print production processes, packaging artwork requirements, and graphic production standards to ensure manufacturability.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines, prioritize tasks, and deliver projects on time and to high standards.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, enabling effective collaboration with diverse internal teams and external partners.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced FMCG environment, adapting to changing priorities and managing competing demands effectively. Preferred Skills:

• Specific experience in FMCG graphic design.

• Experience with packaging design, including structural considerations and artwork preparation.

• Knowledge of After Effects or other motion graphics software for dynamic visual content.

• Familiarity with shopper marketing principles and POS material design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on print production, manufacturing, and packaging design suggests this role is heavily focused on tangible product and promotional materials, requiring a deep understanding of production workflows and technical specifications, rather than purely digital design.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating a strong track record in graphic design, with a particular focus on FMCG brands and packaging.

• Case studies showcasing the end-to-end design process for key projects, highlighting problem-solving, creative ideation, and final execution.

• Examples of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams, illustrating how design solutions met commercial and manufacturing requirements.

• Evidence of leadership capabilities, such as managing design workflows, mentoring junior designers, or driving process improvements.

• Demonstrations of advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite tools, with examples of complex design challenges overcome. Process Documentation:

• Examples of workflow management systems or methodologies used to streamline design processes and improve team efficiency.

• Documentation or case studies illustrating process improvement initiatives undertaken to enhance creative output or reduce production lead times.

• Evidence of how design briefs were interpreted and translated into actionable design plans, showcasing a structured approach to project initiation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Lead role, the portfolio should not only showcase design quality but also leadership, process management, and problem-solving skills. A focus on print, packaging, and manufacturing means portfolio pieces should reflect an understanding of these constraints and requirements.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the Lead Graphic Designer title, 5-10 years of experience, and location in New Zealand (specifically within the FMCG sector), an estimated annual salary range of NZ$85,000 - NZ$110,000 can be expected. This range is based on research into similar roles in the New Zealand market, considering the contract nature of the position, which may influence the rate.

Benefits:

• Competitive contract rate.

• Opportunity to work with iconic beverage brands within a dynamic FMCG company.

• Exposure to diverse projects across packaging, marketing collateral, and innovation.

• Potential for professional development and skill enhancement in leadership and design.

• Collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Working Hours: The role is likely to involve standard full-time working hours, approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime depending on project demands. Flexibility may be offered, but the on-site requirement suggests a core presence during business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on industry benchmarks for Lead Graphic Designers in New Zealand, factoring in the contract status and the specialized FMCG industry. Benefits are inferred based on typical contractor roles and company culture statements.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (FMCG - Fast-Moving Consumer Goods). Asahi Beverages operates in a highly competitive and dynamic market, requiring agility, innovation, and strong brand presence.

Company Size: Asahi Beverages is a significant player in the Australian and New Zealand beverage market, suggesting a large organization with multiple departments and a robust operational structure. This implies opportunities for broad impact and exposure.

Founded: Asahi Beverages has a long history, with the parent company Asahi Breweries founded in 1949. This indicates a stable, established company with deep roots and a strong market position, likely valuing heritage alongside innovation.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Design team is in-house, indicating a centralized function supporting various business units. It is led by this role, suggesting a small to medium-sized team focused on creative execution.

• This role will likely report to a Marketing Manager, Creative Director, or Head of Brand, with direct reports being other graphic designers.

• Close collaboration is expected with Innovation, Shopper Marketing, Brand Management, and Supply Chain teams, highlighting a cross-functional and integrated approach to product development and marketing. Methodology:

• Data-driven insights are crucial in FMCG for understanding consumer behavior and market trends, influencing design decisions.

• Workflow planning and optimization strategies will be key to managing a busy design team and ensuring timely delivery of marketing and packaging materials.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely encouraged to streamline repetitive design tasks and improve turnaround times.

Company Website: https://www.asahibeverages.com.au/ (Note: This is for Asahi Beverages Australia, but likely reflects the NZ operations as well).

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's position in the FMCG sector means design must be both aesthetically appealing and commercially effective, driving sales and brand recognition in a crowded marketplace. The contract duration suggests a need for immediate impact and efficient integration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Lead position, signifying a mid-to-senior level role. It requires not only advanced design skills but also proven leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage a team and complex projects. The scope includes team development, workflow optimization, and cross-functional strategic partnerships.

Reporting Structure: The Lead Graphic Designer will report to a senior marketing or creative leader within Asahi Beverages. They will directly manage a team of graphic designers, fostering a collaborative and productive internal creative department.

Operations Impact: The design output directly influences brand perception, product appeal, and sales performance. Effective design in packaging and marketing collateral is critical for market penetration, consumer engagement, and maintaining brand equity in the competitive FMCG landscape. This role has a direct impact on the commercial success of Asahi's beverage portfolio.

Growth Opportunities:

• For this specific contract role (12 months), growth might be measured by successful project completion, team performance improvement, and positive stakeholder feedback, potentially leading to contract extensions or future opportunities within Asahi.

• Beyond this contract, individuals with strong leadership and FMCG design experience can progress to Creative Director roles, Head of Design positions, or specialized roles in brand management or innovation within larger organizations.

• Opportunities for skill development include advanced training in motion graphics, emerging design technologies, and leadership/people management courses.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the "Lead" title implies significant responsibility and the potential for further career advancement in design leadership roles, particularly within the FMCG industry. The focus is on demonstrating immediate impact and strategic contribution.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site, indicating a traditional office-based work environment within Asahi Beverages' facilities in New Zealand. This suggests a collaborative workspace designed for team interaction and cross-functional communication.

Office Location(s): While "NZ" is specified, the exact city is not, but major hubs like Auckland or Wellington are common for such corporate roles. This implies an accessible urban or suburban office location with standard amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be dynamic, reflecting the fast-paced nature of the FMCG industry.

• Access to necessary design software and hardware (Adobe Creative Suite, high-performance workstations) will be provided.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with marketing, brand, and innovation teams will be integral to the role, fostering a collaborative and integrated design process.

Work Schedule: A standard 40-hour work week is typical, but flexibility may be available. However, the on-site requirement and the need to manage team workflow and project deadlines mean consistent availability during core business hours is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is crucial. It signals a preference for in-person collaboration, team synergy, and direct engagement with stakeholders, which is often vital for creative roles requiring immediate feedback and iterative design processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruitment team will review applications and resumes, looking for key skills and experience in graphic design, leadership, and FMCG.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a senior marketing or creative lead) to assess your design philosophy, leadership style, project management approach, and understanding of the FMCG sector. Be prepared to discuss your portfolio and specific examples of past successes.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Potential interviews with other members of the design team or key cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Brand Managers, Innovation Leads) to evaluate collaboration skills and cultural fit.

• Design Challenge/Portfolio Review: A practical assessment may involve a design challenge simulating a real-world brief, or a deep dive into your portfolio. This is where you'll present your work, explain your process, and demonstrate your ability to meet project objectives and production requirements.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills relevant to this role – especially FMCG, packaging, print production, and leadership.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the brief, your role, the challenges faced, your design process, the solutions you developed, and the impact/results achieved. Use visuals effectively.

• Highlight Leadership: If possible, include examples that showcase your ability to manage workflows, mentor others, or drive process improvements.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate your mastery of Adobe Creative Suite and your understanding of print and packaging production constraints.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased sales, improved brand recognition, efficiency gains).

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Brief: Thoroughly analyze any design challenge brief, identifying key objectives, target audience, and constraints.

• Time Management: Practice completing design tasks within a set timeframe, prioritizing elements that are critical to meeting the brief.

• Presentation: Prepare a concise and compelling presentation of your work, clearly explaining your rationale and design choices. Be ready to answer questions about your process and decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and potentially a design challenge indicates that technical skill and a demonstrated understanding of the design process, particularly for print and packaging in FMCG, are paramount. Leadership experience will be assessed through behavioral questions and portfolio examples.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Advanced proficiency is a must, specifically:

  • Photoshop: For image manipulation, retouching, and digital asset creation.
  • InDesign: For layout, typography, and print-ready document creation (brochures, POS, packaging die-lines).
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and complex packaging artwork.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or similar, for managing team workflows, task assignments, and project timelines.

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar, for internal team communication and cross-functional interaction.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a direct analyst role, understanding how design impacts KPIs is beneficial. Familiarity with tools that report on marketing campaign performance or sales data might be useful for understanding design effectiveness. CRM & Automation:

• Less directly relevant to this design role, but awareness of how design assets are used within CRM or marketing automation platforms (e.g., for email campaigns, social media) can be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement is deep expertise in the Adobe Creative Suite, particularly for print and packaging applications. Familiarity with project management tools is essential for the leadership aspect of the role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Creativity & Innovation: A drive to produce fresh, impactful, and effective design solutions that stand out in the FMCG market.

• Collaboration: A strong emphasis on working effectively with diverse teams to achieve shared goals, valuing input from brand, marketing, and production.

• Quality & Precision: A commitment to delivering technically sound, high-quality design work that meets rigorous brand and manufacturing standards.

• Efficiency & Agility: The ability to adapt to fast-paced demands, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results within tight deadlines.

• Brand Stewardship: A deep respect for brand guidelines and a commitment to maintaining brand integrity across all design outputs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect close working relationships with Brand Managers, Marketing teams, Shopper Marketing specialists, and Supply Chain/Manufacturing personnel. Design is not a siloed function but an integral part of product development and go-to-market strategies.

• Feedback Culture: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and utilized to refine designs, ensuring they meet all stakeholder requirements.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of best practices, design trends, and technical knowledge within the design team to foster collective growth and elevate the quality of work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Asahi Beverages likely values a culture that balances creative freedom with commercial acumen and operational efficiency. The emphasis on collaboration and brand stewardship is key for success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative Vision with Commercial Demands: Ensuring designs are aesthetically compelling while also driving sales and meeting specific brand and manufacturing requirements in a highly competitive FMCG market.

• Managing Multiple Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively navigating the needs and priorities of various departments (Brand, Innovation, Marketing, Supply Chain) to deliver unified design solutions.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency Across a Diverse Portfolio: Ensuring all design outputs adhere to established brand guidelines while also catering to the unique needs of different product lines and campaigns.

• Adapting to Rapid Market Changes: Staying abreast of design trends, consumer preferences, and competitor activities to ensure Asahi's branding remains relevant and impactful.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Techniques: Opportunities to deepen expertise in areas like packaging structural design, advanced print techniques, or motion graphics.

• Leadership and Team Management: Developing skills in people leadership, workflow optimization, and strategic team development through practical experience and potential training.

• FMCG Industry Insights: Gaining a deeper understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and the product lifecycle within the beverage industry.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Expanding knowledge of marketing, innovation, and supply chain processes through close collaboration, enhancing strategic design thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be managing the pace and diverse demands of the FMCG sector while leading a team. Growth opportunities are tied to both deepening design expertise and honing leadership skills within a corporate context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a design team through a challenging project with competing priorities. How did you manage workflow and ensure successful delivery?" (Focus on leadership, project management, and problem-solving).

• "How do you ensure design solutions meet both aesthetic appeal and strict commercial/manufacturing requirements in the FMCG sector?" (Focus on balancing creativity with practicality, understanding of production).

• "Walk us through a packaging design project from your portfolio. What was the brief, your process, and the outcome?" (Demonstrate design thinking, process, and impact). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for Asahi Beverages and the FMCG industry specifically?" (Show research into the company and sector).

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment within a design team and with other departments?" (Assess teamwork and communication style).

• "How do you stay updated on design trends and incorporate them into your work while respecting brand guidelines?" (Gauge proactivity and brand stewardship). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure is Key: Organize your presentation logically, perhaps by project type (packaging, collateral) or by showcasing your leadership impact.

• Highlight the "Why": For each project, clearly explain the strategic objective and how your design addressed it.

• Demonstrate Process: Show sketches, mood boards, iterations, and final outcomes to illustrate your thinking and problem-solving.

• Focus on Impact: Use metrics or qualitative feedback to demonstrate the success of your designs.

• Be Ready for Technical Questions: Anticipate questions about print processes, die-lines, color profiles, and software capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong understanding of the FMCG design landscape, proven leadership in a creative context, and exceptional technical and project management skills. Be ready to defend your design choices with strategic reasoning.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Asahi Beverages careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature relevant FMCG, packaging, and print production work. Clearly label your role and contributions in team projects, and include any examples of process improvement or team leadership.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight your leadership experience, project management skills, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and any FMCG-specific design achievements. Quantify your impact with metrics where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design philosophy, leadership style, and project execution process. Prepare specific examples for behavioral questions and rehearse your portfolio walkthrough, focusing on clarity and strategic rationale.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Asahi Beverages, their brand portfolio, recent campaigns, and any stated company values. Understand their market position and the challenges within the FMCG sector to demonstrate genuine interest and strategic alignment.

⚠️ 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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