SMART Brand Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: SMART Brand Designer
Company: OX Tools
Location: Dandenong South, Victoria, Australia
Job Type: Contractor
Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Marketing
Date Posted: 2026-05-07
Experience Level: 5-10 Years
Remote Status: Hybrid (with potential for occasional travel)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is critical for maintaining and executing the visual identity of the SMART brand across all consumer touchpoints, ensuring brand consistency and high-quality output.
• The SMART Brand Designer will be responsible for a range of design executions including packaging, catalogue layouts, digital assets, and broader marketing collateral.
• It requires a strong understanding of brand systems and a meticulous approach to design execution, file management, and production-readiness.
• This is a hands-on, execution-focused role within a global creative team, requiring collaboration with senior creatives and cross-functional departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "SMART Brand Designer," the core responsibilities and required skills strongly indicate this is a Graphic Designer role with a focus on brand execution, particularly within the consumer goods or hardware/trade tools sector. The "SMART" likely refers to the specific brand being managed. The role emphasizes execution and maintenance of an existing brand system rather than brand strategy development.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Brand Stewardship & Execution: Uphold the visual integrity of the SMART brand across all design outputs, ensuring strict adherence to established brand guidelines for packaging, catalogues, digital media, and marketing collateral.
• Packaging Design & Updates: Design, update, and manage SMART product packaging artwork, working within existing dieline templates for new SKUs, range extensions, and refreshes, ensuring compliance with regional requirements and print specifications.
• Catalogue Production & Layout: Design and lay out SMART product catalogues, manage updates to product listings, imagery, and pricing, and maintain consistency across print and digital formats.
• Digital Asset Creation: Produce a variety of digital design assets, including eDMs, social media graphics, website banners, and retailer portal uploads, adapting them for multiple platforms while maintaining brand consistency.
• Brand Collateral Development: Design and produce supporting brand materials such as Point-of-Sale (POS) displays, trade show assets, sell sheets, and provide direction for product photography.
• File & Asset Management: Maintain a structured and up-to-date library of SMART brand assets, working files, and final artwork, adhering to established naming conventions, folder structures, and version control protocols.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Global Creative Director, marketing teams, product teams, and other stakeholders to ensure timely, on-brand, and production-ready delivery of all design assets.
• Supplier Coordination: Liaise with external suppliers and internal teams to deliver finished files to production standards and coordinate artwork approvals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are heavily weighted towards execution and production within an established brand framework. The role requires a strong understanding of print and digital production workflows, making it less of a strategic branding role and more of a specialized graphic design execution role within a larger brand system.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While formal education isn't explicitly stated, a degree or equivalent qualification in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, or a related field is typically expected for this level of experience.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated graphic design experience, with a proven track record in brand execution, packaging design, and digital asset creation. Experience within the trade, hardware, or consumer products sectors is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in maintaining and executing a defined brand identity within an established brand system.
• High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop are essential.
• Strong understanding of packaging production processes, including dieline requirements and print specifications.
• Proven ability to design and manage multi-page document production for catalogues.
• Experience creating production-ready design assets for both print and digital channels.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with a disciplined approach to file management, version control, and asset organization.
• Ability to work independently, manage a challenging workload effectively, and meet deadlines within a fixed-term contract.
• Experience collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams and taking direction from senior creative leads.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with project management or workflow tools (e.g., Wrike, Asana, or similar).
• Experience with Point-of-Sale (POS) design and retail display materials.
• Exposure to product photography direction.
• Understanding of global brand consistency requirements across different regions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "production-ready standard" and "file management, version control, and asset organisation" suggests a need for a highly organized and technically proficient designer who can efficiently manage numerous assets and iterations within a structured workflow.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Brand Execution Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you have maintained and executed a brand's visual identity across multiple platforms (packaging, digital, print). Highlight your understanding of brand guidelines and consistency.
• Packaging Design Examples: Include detailed examples of packaging projects, demonstrating your ability to work with dielines, understand print production requirements, and create production-ready artwork. Show variety in product types if possible.
• Catalogue Layouts: Present examples of multi-page document design and layout, illustrating your proficiency in InDesign for catalogue production, including managing product information and imagery.
• Digital Asset Examples: Showcase a range of digital assets created for various platforms (e.g., eDMs, social media graphics, web banners), highlighting your ability to adapt designs for different specifications while maintaining brand integrity.
• File Management & Organization: Be prepared to discuss your approach to file naming, version control, and asset library management, perhaps through a brief explanation of a past system or process.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate your understanding of the print production workflow from design concept to final file delivery, including pre-press considerations.
• Be ready to explain your process for adapting designs for different media (print vs. digital) and platforms.
• Illustrate how you manage your workload, track progress, and ensure timely delivery, especially within a contract role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on execution and maintenance, the portfolio should emphasize the designer's ability to flawlessly implement existing brand standards and navigate production processes rather than concept ideation or strategic brand development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Graphic Designer with 5-10 years of experience in Melbourne, Australia, focusing on brand execution and packaging, a salary range of AUD $75,000 - $85,000 per annum is estimated for a full-time equivalent. As this is a contract role, the hourly rate would be calculated based on this annual range, potentially with a slight premium for contract status.

Benefits:

• Contract Duration: 6-month fixed-term contract provides a defined period of engagement.
• Hybrid Work Model: Offers flexibility with a blend of in-office and remote work, promoting work-life balance.
• Exposure to Global Brand: Opportunity to work with a fast-growing global tool brand, enhancing your portfolio.
• Industry Experience: Gain specific experience within the hardware, trade, or consumer products sectors.
• Potential for Extension/Future Opportunities: While fixed-term, successful performance may lead to contract extensions or future roles within OX Tools.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in structuring the work week, with specific in-office days to be agreed upon with the Global Creative Director.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on the provided AI data and market research for similar roles in Melbourne, Australia. The benefits are typical for contract roles and specific to the information available about the company and role structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing (Tools), Retail, Hardware, Construction. OX Tools is positioned as a provider of high-quality professional tools for tradespeople, aiming to be recognized as "TOUGH. DYNAMIC. DIFFERENT." Company Size: OX Tools is a rapidly growing global brand, indicating a dynamic and potentially fast-paced environment. While specific employee numbers for the Australian operation aren't detailed, the global growth suggests a robust organizational structure. Founded: 1974. With a history dating back to 1974, OX Tools has a solid foundation and has grown steadily based on product quality and service innovation.

Team Structure:

• The SMART Brand Designer will report directly to the Global Creative Director.
• This role involves close collaboration with regional and global marketing teams, product teams, and potentially external suppliers.
• The team structure emphasizes both global alignment and in-region execution, requiring effective communication across different locations and functions.

Methodology:

• Brand Consistency: A core methodology is the rigorous maintenance and execution of brand guidelines to ensure a unified visual identity across all touchpoints.
• Data-Driven Improvement: While not explicitly stated for design, the company emphasizes "relentlessly researching and introducing new materials and new features" and listening to end-users, suggesting an openness to data and user feedback driving product and, by extension, brand evolution.
• Agile Execution: The fixed-term contract and focus on timely delivery imply an agile approach to design projects.

Company Website: https://oxtools.bamboohr.com/careers (Note: This is a careers portal link, the primary company website is likely oxtoolsusa.com or similar, but the provided URL is used for reference.)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission and vision ("Live the Trade," "strength of the OX") suggest a culture that values practicality, resilience, and innovation, likely translating into a design environment that appreciates robust, functional, and impactful visuals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an individual contributor role at an experienced graphic design level, focused on execution within a specific brand system. It sits within the broader "Creative & Media" or "Art & Design" functional area.

Reporting Structure: The designer reports directly to the Global Creative Director, indicating a clear line of management and creative oversight. Regular 1:1 meetings are scheduled, facilitating direct feedback and guidance.

Operations Impact: The designer's impact is primarily on brand consistency, visual quality, and the effectiveness of marketing communications. By ensuring accurate and compelling visual assets, the role directly supports sales enablement, product launches, and overall brand perception in the market. In a company focused on "productivity to the tradesperson," clear and effective visual communication is key to conveying product value.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in packaging design for consumer/trade goods and multi-channel digital asset creation.
• Brand System Mastery: Become an expert in managing and executing complex brand systems for a growing global brand.
• Project Management Skills: Develop proficiency in workflow and project management tools, enhancing organizational capabilities.
• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience working with global marketing, product development, and sales teams, broadening understanding of GTM strategies.
• Potential for Future Roles: A successful contract performance could lead to contract extensions or opportunities in other design or brand-related roles within OX Tools as the company continues its global expansion.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a contract role, the opportunity to work with a fast-growing global brand and a clear reporting structure to a Global Creative Director provides significant professional development and portfolio enhancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, suggesting a mix of remote work and in-office collaboration. The specific office location is Dandenong South, Victoria. Office Location(s): Dandenong South, Victoria, Australia. The role may require occasional travel to supplier or retail sites within the region for execution phases.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close collaboration with the Global Creative Director and cross-functional teams, suggesting an environment that values teamwork and communication.
• Tools & Technology: Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and potentially project management tools will be provided or expected to be utilized.
• Team Interaction: Regular meetings (1:1s, cross-functional updates) are scheduled, ensuring consistent interaction and alignment with the broader team.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are likely 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement offers flexibility, but adherence to project deadlines and team meeting schedules will be crucial. The contract duration is 6 months, providing a clear timeframe for the engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model and the emphasis on collaboration suggest a modern work environment that balances individual focus with team synergy. The need for occasional travel indicates a practical, hands-on approach to design execution.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and alignment with the brand execution focus.
• Portfolio Presentation: Likely a session where you walk through your portfolio, highlighting relevant projects (brand execution, packaging, digital) and explaining your process and role.
• Technical/Skills Assessment: Potential for a practical design exercise or a discussion focused on your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and print production knowledge.
• Cultural Fit & Collaboration Discussion: Interviews with the Global Creative Director and potentially other team members to assess your working style, ability to take direction, and fit with the team's collaborative approach.
• Final Interview/Offer: Discussion of contract terms and offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on projects that best demonstrate your ability to execute brand guidelines, design packaging, and create effective digital assets. Prioritize quality over quantity.
• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions to each project, especially if it was a collaborative effort.
• Showcase Process: For packaging and print projects, be ready to discuss your understanding of dielines, print specifications, and production workflows.
• Demonstrate Brand Stewardship: Include examples that clearly show how you've maintained brand consistency and applied brand guidelines accurately.
• Prepare for Digital Adaptations: Be ready to discuss how you adapt assets for different digital platforms.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that might involve updating existing artwork, creating a digital asset from provided assets, or adapting packaging for a new SKU, all within a tight timeframe.
• Practice explaining your design decisions and process clearly and concisely, focusing on how your choices align with brand standards and production requirements.
• Familiarize yourself with OX Tools' current branding and product range to understand their visual language and market positioning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "execution" and "maintenance" means interviewers will be looking for precision, reliability, and a deep understanding of production processes, rather than pure conceptual creativity.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Illustrator: Essential for vector graphics, logo work, and packaging die-line modifications.
• Adobe InDesign: Crucial for catalogue layouts, multi-page documents, and layout-based collateral.
• Adobe Photoshop: Necessary for image manipulation, retouching, and creating raster-based digital assets.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this design role, familiarity with understanding how design assets perform on digital platforms (e.g., engagement rates on social media graphics, click-through rates on eDMs) would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Project Management/Workflow Tools: Familiarity with tools like Wrike, Asana, or similar is advantageous for managing tasks, deadlines, and collaborating within a project workflow.
• Asset Management Systems: Experience with digital asset management (DAM) systems or organized file server structures for maintaining brand assets and version control.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in the core Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with workflow management tools is a strong plus, indicating an ability to integrate into efficient team processes.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• One Team: Fostering a collaborative spirit is key, as you'll be working with global and cross-functional teams.
• Ownership: Taking responsibility for your design output, ensuring accuracy, and managing your workload effectively.
• Challenge & Innovate: While the role is execution-focused, a willingness to adapt, learn new techniques, and suggest process improvements is valuable.
• Customer First: Understanding that the design serves to communicate product value and appeal to tradespeople.
• Social Responsibility: While less direct for this role, a general awareness of ethical design and production practices is beneficial.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively participating in meetings and discussions with marketing, product, and global creative teams to ensure alignment.
• Feedback Exchange: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from the Global Creative Director and stakeholders to refine designs.
• Structured Communication: Utilizing established project management tools and communication channels for updates and approvals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values suggest a culture that is both team-oriented and results-driven, with an emphasis on accountability and continuous improvement. The designer needs to be adaptable and responsive to feedback.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Maintaining Global Consistency: Ensuring that all local executions perfectly align with global brand standards, especially when adapting designs for the Australian market.
• Managing Multiple Project Streams: Juggling design tasks for packaging, catalogues, and digital assets simultaneously, all with tight deadlines.
• Production Complexity: Navigating the intricacies of print production and dieline specifications to ensure error-free outputs.
• Fixed-Term Contract Pressure: Delivering high-quality work efficiently within a defined 6-month period.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Design Skills: Deepening expertise in packaging design for the trade/hardware sector and large-scale catalogue production.
• Global Brand Exposure: Gaining hands-on experience with a rapidly growing international brand's visual identity system.
• Workflow Efficiency: Learning to optimize personal workflow and leverage project management tools for maximum productivity in a contract setting.
• Cross-Cultural Communication: Enhancing skills in collaborating effectively with international teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are practical and execution-oriented, reflecting the nature of the role. The growth opportunities are focused on skill enhancement and practical experience within a global corporate context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for executing a brand guideline document into a new packaging design." (Focus on adherence to rules, dielines, and production readiness.)
• "How do you ensure brand consistency across print and digital collateral?" (Discuss asset management, templating, and adaptation strategies.)
• "Walk us through a challenging catalogue production project you managed. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight organization, problem-solving, and stakeholder management.)
• "How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple design projects with competing deadlines?" (Focus on time management, communication, and triage skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about OX Tools and the SMART brand specifically?" (Research their mission, vision, and product range.)
• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback from a senior creative director?" (Emphasize openness, understanding objectives, and collaborative refinement.)
• "How would you contribute to our 'One Team' value?" (Discuss collaboration, support for colleagues, and shared goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project type (e.g., Packaging, Catalogues, Digital). For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the tools used, and the outcome.
• Highlight Execution: For packaging, show the final artwork and discuss your process with dielines and print specs. For catalogues, showcase page spreads and discuss layout principles.
• Quantify Impact (if possible): If you have data on how a design improved engagement or sales, be prepared to share it, though for this role, execution quality is paramount.
• Asset Management Discussion: Be ready to briefly explain your approach to file organization and version control, as it's a key requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation should focus heavily on demonstrating technical proficiency, meticulous attention to detail, and a robust understanding of production workflows, alongside strong collaborative and communication skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the OX Tools careers portal.
• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features at least 2-3 strong examples of brand execution, packaging design, and catalogue production that align with the requirements. Tailor your resume to highlight specific skills mentioned in the job description, such as Adobe Creative Suite proficiency, print production knowledge, and asset management experience.
• Resume Optimization: Clearly list your years of experience, specific software skills (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), and any relevant industry experience (trade, hardware, consumer products). Quantify achievements where possible, focusing on accuracy, efficiency, and successful project delivery.
• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, especially concerning brand adherence, packaging production, and digital asset creation. Be ready to discuss your file management strategies and experience with project management tools.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with OX Tools' mission, vision, values, and product lines to understand their brand identity and target audience. This will help demonstrate your genuine interest and ability to align with their brand.

⚠️ 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. The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data and the role's specifics. The "SMART" in the job title likely refers to a specific brand within the OX Tools portfolio.