At a Glance
- Tasks: Design eye-catching packaging and print materials for a vibrant coffee brand.
- Company: Grind, a sustainable coffee company with a passion for London.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, discounts, social events, and wellbeing allowance.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a creative role that impacts consumers everywhere.
- Qualifications: Experience in packaging design and strong Adobe skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Grind is a coffee brand that lives and breathes London.
Since we opened the doors to Shoreditch Grind in 2011, we’ve expanded across the city with vibrant cafes, coffee shops, and trucks - burning the candle at both ends to serve exceptional coffee, food, and cocktails to a killer soundtrack.
Today, we serve millions of cups of coffee across London and the UK each year, and we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people make better, more sustainable coffee at home.
You’ll find our coffee beans, compostable coffee pods and ready-to-drink coffee cans - in supermarkets across the UK and in hotels around the world.
Our locations are the beating heart of Grind.
They are high-energy, fast-paced, and incredibly rewarding places to work.
But we’re more than just great coffee; we believe coffee can be a force for good.
From creating the UK’s first compostable coffee pods and using plastic-free packaging to carbon-free shipping, we are on a dedicated mission to be the world’s most sustainable coffee company.
In 2023, we established the Better Coffee Foundation to help undo the environmental damage of the global coffee industry, recovering 43 million pods' worth of ocean-bound plastic in our very first year.
A bit about the role.
We're looking for a talented Print and Packaging Designer to join our brand team in an end-to-end role, owning packaging projects from initial concept through to final artwork and production.
Packaging will be your main focus and the core of what you're measured on, but Grind is a business with a lot of moving parts, and you'll also lend your eye to menus, print collateral and B2B trade show materials.
It's a varied and exciting role for someone who wants their design to show up everywhere from a supermarket shelf to a restaurant table to a trade show stand, and who likes staying connected to the full breadth of the brand rather than working in a single lane.
This isn't a role where design stops at the creative stage.
You'll be responsible for taking ideas all the way through the production process - developing concepts, creating mock-ups, preparing technically accurate artwork, liaising with artworkers and production partner in conjunction with our NPD team to ensure the finished product lands exactly as intended.
You'll report directly to our Head of Brand, who oversees all channels of the business, you'll be trusted to own your area and bring real confidence and experience to how packaging shows up across the business.
Working across our omnichannel business, including Retail, Grocery, B2B and DTC, you'll create standout packaging that connects with consumers, performs on shelf and online, and delivers against both brand and commercial objectives.
You'll work closely with Brand, the Design team, NPD, agencies and freelancers to balance creativity, strategy, production feasibility and real-world functionality.
Role responsibilities.
- Own packaging design end-to-end, from initial concept through to final artwork and print production.
- Develop original, commercially effective packaging concepts across Retail, Grocery, B2B and DTC, with a strong focus on shelf standout and POS.
- Translate approved concepts into technically accurate, production-ready artwork across multiple formats and SKUs.
- Build high-quality mock-ups and visuals using Adobe Creative Suite and relevant 3D rendering tools.
- Set up artwork against dielines, print specifications, finishes and colour profiles, working closely with artworkers and printers through to sign-off.
- Bring the same level of craft to menus, print collateral and B2B trade show materials.
- Apply a strong understanding of packaging materials, substrates, print processes and finishes to inform design decisions from the outset.
- Ensure all packaging meets relevant legal, labelling and retailer requirements, including shelf visibility and planogram considerations.
- Present concepts and technical decisions clearly and confidently to stakeholders and external partners.
- Manage multiple projects and timelines at once, keeping accuracy, brand consistency and design craft high throughout.
- Stay ahead of design and packaging trends through regular research, keeping an eye on the wider category and beyond for fresh thinking.
- Work with the Head of Design to bring bigger seasonal projects, like Christmas, to life in bold and exciting ways.
You’ll have.
- Solid packaging design experience, ideally in FMCG or beauty, with the confidence to own the function and shape how packaging works across the business.
- Room to make the role your own.
With no other packaging designer on the team, you'll have real ownership over how packaging is run day to day, a chance to build something rather than slot into an existing process.
- A proactive problem solver. Comfortable taking initiative and moving fast without waiting to be told, staying level-headed and motivated by creative problem solving.
- Comfortable working at both speeds.
Some projects give you time to think, craft and build out considered work.
Others land last minute and need a fast turnaround.
You move between the two without losing quality in either.
- Hands-on experience taking packaging from concept to finished, printed product, including artwork, dielines and supplier management.
- Experience artworking yourself or working closely with artworkers, with a solid grasp of dielines and print specs.
- A strong grasp of core design principles. Solid graphic design and typesetting skills, and the ability to translate brand guidelines confidently across every format you touch.
- A strong understanding of consumer insight and shelf appeal, designing with strategy, insights and the end-user in mind.
- Technical knowledge of packaging materials, print processes, consistency and production limitations.
- Advanced proficiency in the adobe suite
- Excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills, organised process and ways of working, confident presenting to creative, commercial and NPD teams.
Diversity and Inclusion.
Grind is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability status.
If there are any adjustments you need to help you bring your best self to an interview with us please let us know.
Benefits and perks
- Smart Pension: We offer a pension scheme to help you plan for your future.
- Financial support: access to interest-free, short-term loans when you need them most
- Paid Time Off: Generous holiday allowance, plus an extra day of holiday for each year of service (up to 3 additional days).
- Referral Bonus: Earn up to £450 in tiered bonuses for referring great talent to our team
- Discounts online: Up to 40% off our retail line online.
- Spectrum
Life: Access our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
- Crew Card: Enjoy 50% off all food and drinks, plus two free coffees a day at Grind locations.
- Friends & Family Discount: Share the love with discounts for your friends and family on our website and at our sites.
- Social Events: Join us for team social events to connect and have fun.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity: Enjoy enhanced maternity and paternity benefits once eligible.
- Wellbeing Allowance: Up to £200 annually to spend on your wellbeing.
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Print and Packaging Designer in London employer: Grind
Grind is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London that prioritises lifestyle balance without the late-night shifts typical in hospitality. As a Bar Manager, you'll lead a passionate team in a high-energy environment while benefiting from generous perks like a Crew Card for discounts, wellness support, and opportunities for personal growth through training and development programmes. Join us at Grind, where your passion for coffee and cocktails can thrive alongside our commitment to sustainability and community impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Print and Packaging Designer in London
✨Show Off Your Skills with a Killer Portfolio
As a graphic designer, your portfolio is your secret weapon! Make sure it's not just a collection of your work but showcases your creative process too. Use platforms like Behance or Dribbble to share your designs and gain visibility within the design community.
✨Get Involved in Design Meetups
Networking is key in the design world! Check out local design meetups or workshops where you can connect with other creatives and potential employers. This is a goldmine for finding unadvertised job openings at companies like Grind.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you’re applying for a full-time role at a creative company like Grind, don’t go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Ensure your application highlights specific projects or styles that align with their brand image, showing that you’re a perfect fit for their team.
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in landing your dream design job! Share your work on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, and engage with accounts from your desired companies—this could put you on their radar before they start hiring.
We think you need these skills to ace Print and Packaging Designer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Portfolio:Your portfolio is your visual CV! Make sure to include a link to your best design projects that showcase your creativity and versatility. Tailor it to include works that relate to the kind of design work Grind does, so they can see you in action.
Tailor Your CV for Design:When crafting your CV, highlight your design skills and software proficiencies, like Adobe Creative Suite or Sketch. Mention any relevant experience you have with branding, UI/UX design, or typography, as we want to see how you fit in with the creative team at Grind.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your design philosophy and what excites you about working at Grind. Let us know how you approach your design projects and any specific campaigns or themes that resonate with you, showing we’re not just a good fit but a perfect match!
Highlight Collaboration Skills:As a graphic designer, you often work with various teams and stakeholders. In your application, mention experiences where you've collaborated with others to bring a project to life, whether it's with clients, writers, or developers. This shows you can thrive in a team environment, which is key at Grind.
How to prepare for a job interview at Grind
✨Get Your Portfolio Ready
Your portfolio is your secret weapon in graphic design interviews! Make sure it's showing off your best work, with a variety of styles and projects that highlight different skills — from branding to digital illustration. Be prepared to talk through each piece, focusing on your creative process and the tools you used.
✨Know Your Design Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with software like Adobe Creative Suite is a must! Brush up on your skills with Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, as interviewers might dive into specific technical questions or ask for your workflow. If you’ve worked with any innovative tools or techniques, don't hesitate to showcase that expertise!
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Some companies may throw a design challenge your way during the interview! This might involve sketching out ideas or solving a branding issue on the spot. Practising these quick thinking exercises beforehand can help us show off our creativity and adaptability.
✨Passion Counts
For a full-time position, showing genuine enthusiasm for design is key! Talk about your inspirations, the projects you're excited about, and why you're drawn to Grind. They want to see not just a skilled designer, but someone who'll bring passion and fresh ideas to the team.