Packaging Lead

We’re looking for an experienced and technically brilliant Packaging Lead to join our growing in‑house Creative Team at TRIP. With an expanding portfolio of products across drinks and supplements and ambitions for many more, packaging design is one of our main focus areas. We’d like to bring in someone to own, define and evolve TRIP’s long‑term packaging vision - from overseeing regular artwork updates to being a key contributor to NPD concepting as well as liaising with suppliers to ensure everything you design not only looks great but holds up in production and on shelf.

Whilst a creative eye is essential, this role is also responsible for the technical side of delivery — including pre‑press checks, print data accuracy, adaptation for different materials and printing technologies, and close communication with printers to ensure flawless final output. Beyond execution, the role also includes workflow improvement, process efficiency, quality control, team coordination, and collaboration with product and marketing teams on both new product launches and redesigns of existing products.

ABOUT YOU

You’ll be a meticulous and technically brilliant artworker with an exceptional eye for detail and craft. You’ll have a deep understanding of print production, packaging, and digital artwork, ensuring everything that leaves the studio is beautifully executed to spec. You’ll thrive in a fast‑paced environment, working closely with designers, marketeers, product managers and our operations and technical teams. Calm under pressure, collaborative, and eagle‑eyed — you’ll help to guard quality, consistency and accuracy in our packaging world. You’ll be process‑driven and precise, ready to build and own systems to manage multiple active projects effectively.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Packaging Artwork & Production
  • Create, adapt, and finalise print‑ready packaging artwork across a range of formats (cans, boxes, SRP, pouches, bottles).
  • Support the process for locking down colours and building master templates/artworks appropriate to print process.
  • Accurately roll out designs across full ranges of flavours, sizes, and territories, ensuring absolute consistency and precision.
  • Apply and manage copy, barcodes, legal text, nutrition panels, and regulatory information accurately.
  • Prepare artwork for release to meet printer and supplier specifications with particular emphasis on colour management.
  • Correctly set up artwork layers for special finishes, such as spot varnishes, foils, or white bases for cans and clear packaging.
  • Maintain accurate dieline templates for all pack formats, updated when structural or supplier changes occur.
• Brand & Creative Collaboration
  • Collaborate closely with packaging managers, product developers, quality, regulatory, and suppliers throughout the product development process.
  • Interpret feedback and make precise revisions efficiently, maintaining clear communication on status and timelines.
  • Collaborate with Brand, Ops and Product teams to create visual mock‑ups for NPD concepts that are in‑keeping with our established packaging look & feel.
  • Work closely with designers to interpret creative concepts and ensure they translate effectively into production‑ready artwork files packaging formats.
  • Act as a guardian of brand guidelines, ensuring all artwork aligns with brand standards.
• Quality Control & Approval
  • Carry out rigorous artwork checks to ensure accuracy, consistency, and technical compliance before submission (pre‑flight checks).
  • Manage internal and external artwork approval processes, amends, and version control.
  • Liaise with printers and suppliers to resolve technical queries and troubleshoot production issues.
  • Adapt master artworks for all markets, incorporating translated copy, local regulatory text, and market‑specific requirements.
  • Ensure all adaptations remain consistent with brand guidelines while meeting local regulatory requirements.
  • Verify that all legal, regulatory, and labelling requirements are correctly implemented — including barcodes, safety marks, and multi‑language text.
  • Maintain version control and ensure artwork is archived and documented properly throughout its lifecycle.
  • Attend press passes to approve packaging colours in production.
• Workflow & Studio Support
  • Be an absolute master at maintaining 100% accurate, organised, logical and clear filing structures and artwork archives.
  • Manage multiple artwork projects simultaneously, prioritising deadlines and dependencies.
  • Implement and follow internal workflows and approval processes, ensuring all checkpoints are completed and documented.
  • Track artwork status across all active projects using a centralised system, maintaining a clear audit trail for all changes.
  • Contribute to improving artwork processes, efficiency, and technical standards over time.

What we’re looking for

• 10+ years in a packaging artwork or production design role.
• Strong knowledge of print and preparing artwork for production (pre‑press and print production).
• Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite (especially Illustrator and Photoshop) including clean file structuring and proper use of layers/swatches for print setup.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects at once without sacrificing detail.
• Comfortable working with brand guidelines and structured templates.
• Experience with multi‑market localisation and adapted artworks.
• Proven ability to manage version control across a large SKU range.
• Familiarity with compliance copy, safety warnings, and regulatory labelling.
• Meticulous attention to detail with a process‑driven mindset.
• Proven team leadership or management experience, including work organisation, coordination, feedback, and output quality control.
• A collaborative mindset and good communication skills.

Technical & Production Expectations

• You should be comfortable with: Print processes: CMYK, Pantone (spot colours), digital vs litho printing.
• Preparing artwork for print: bleed, overprint, trapping, spot colours/varnishes, export settings.
• Working with dielines, cutter guides, die‑cut and laser‑cut formats.
• Understanding packaging formats and applications such as flexible packaging (pouches, sachets) and labels (adhesive, shrink sleeves) Cans, cartons, and wraps.
• Awareness of production methods: Digitally printed vs large‑scale production Sleeving vs direct print.
• A working understanding of materials and specifications, including basic structure differences (e.g., laminates vs mono‑materials).
• An understanding of the repro/pre‑press process (how files are processed by printers).

Nice to have

• Experience in food, drinks, or supplements.
• Familiarity with packaging or labelling regulations.
• Experience working across a large product range.
• Experience with POS artwork.
• Understanding of cost, scalability, or sustainability considerations.

THE PACKAGE

• Lovely, bright and spacious office 1 minute from Notting Hill Gate station, surrounded by TRIP pastel‑coloured houses!
• Salary: DOE.
• 4 days per week in the office with the option to work from home on a Friday.
• Private Healthcare with Vitality including Virgin Gym 50% off.
• Holiday: 24 days + birthday off!
• 1 Wellness Day.
• Pension plan.
• Potential to take part in the company share scheme.
• TRIP product discount & Friends+Family codes.
• Mindfulness support with Calm App membership.
• Breakfast and snacks provided.
• Sleep support with monthly Dream Drops CBD Oil allowance.
• Working from Anywhere policy: 2 weeks per year in a maximum of 2 blocks.
• Sabbatical: After 2 years of service, you may apply for a sabbatical of up to 6 weeks, subject to policy.
• Dog Friendly office.
• Regular team socials & events.