Senior Account Manager - Packaging Design in Purley

Hybrid - 3 days in our Purley studio. French, Dutch, German or Finnish language skills advantageous.

Our story so far: At Tjarks and Tjarks, creativity meets craft. For over 30 years, we’ve remained proudly privately owned, shaping bold, distinctive brands that don’t just sit on the shelf. They stand out and get chosen. We’ve been trusted partners to our clients for decades, helping them navigate the ever-evolving world of shoppers and retail by designing packaging that connects, competes and converts. In fact, we’re proud to say we’ve never lost a client.

From big ideas to flawless execution, we deliver a true 360° design-to-artwork approach. Efficient, precise and globally consistent. Our expertise lies in creating exceptional packaging for FMCG brands, particularly in food and beverage, while increasingly expanding into non-food categories.

Could this be you? As we continue to grow, we are now looking for a dynamic and experienced Senior Account Manager who has strong project management experience. This role offers the opportunity to work on high profile brands within the organisation which require excellent attention to detail and execution. If you’re comfortable taking on a number of projects independently, can demonstrate efficiency and resilience and have the experience of managing projects and leading large rollouts within the creative industry, this could be the role for you!

The day to day:

• Responsible for the administration and running of accounts, projects and complete brands, and for maintaining long-standing client relationships as well as building and maintaining strong internal relationships across the company.
• To own and independently manage a large number of projects and/or complete brands (at times 100 - 200 SKU’s) from taking the initial brief from the client to obtaining approval to release the project to the client, working closely with the internal Design, Retouching, Artwork and Quality Control teams to facilitate the production of packaging for our clients.
• To own and independently manage large international packaging rollouts across brands/countries as required.
• Have detailed knowledge of all your brands and your brand guidelines, and ensure consistency of design and production across all product packaging and outer cases within the brands.
• Analyse, understand, question and challenge client briefs.
• Be able to confidently advise clients on timelines for the design and artwork process, the requirements for branded and own-label packaging and the details of specific client (brand) guidelines.
• Write briefings for internal design, photoshoot and digital artwork projects and brief the design or artwork team on individual projects.
• Effectively manage the timing and execution of the internal design and artwork process.
• Have a good understanding of cutter guides for packaging and of print processes.
• Identify potential difficulties in the print process for each project early and discuss them with the artwork/production department and the printers.
• Organise photoshoots, get quotations, book photographers and home economists, organise/source product samples, write photo briefings etc.
• Responsible for ensuring all projects are completed to the highest standard, to deadline and to complete client satisfaction.
• Managing conflicting deadlines to ensure changing priorities are recognised and planned for accordingly.
• Ensuring that your projects comply with all current client design and artwork guidelines.
• Proofread your designs and artworks.
• Keep full track of all your live projects and be able to give a full account of the status of each project at any given time.
• Communicate with clients professionally, building client relationships to inspire trust and confidence in the Company.
• Manage client expectations and make sure that all deadlines are met.
• Effectively communicate client briefs to the Design and Artwork departments to ensure work is produced to client specification first time.
• Ensure the accuracy and precision of all work by continuously checking all details against the client brief, brand guidelines and/or style guides.
• Liaise with the Studio Manager, Design and Artwork departments, giving adequate notice for jobs to be scheduled for production.
• Advise and assist other members of the Client Services department as required.
• Provide guidance and support to more junior members of the team.
• Fully accountable for the quality and accuracy of all work that is released to our clients.
• Responsible and fully accountable for the complete budget of all projects.
• Accountable to ensure all projects are invoiced promptly and within company timelines.
• Line management and mentoring more junior members of the team.

About you:

• Account/Project Management experience is essential. You must be able to demonstrate previous experience running accounts or projects with precision in a fast paced environment.
• Previous experience working within a creative environment.
• Experience within a print and design environment essential.
• Some marketing or branding experience would be highly beneficial.
• You must be articulate, have an excellent telephone manner, and proven communication skills dealing with clients over the phone or in writing in both German and English.
• Self-motivated, highly organised, able to manage timelines and meet constant deadlines.
• You must demonstrate a passion for building strong working relationships.
• Experience of managing a range of projects from design through to print.
• A proven ability to work to strict deadlines coupled with excellent attention to detail is essential and an understanding of design briefs and creative direction would be advantageous.
• You will be highly organised and efficient in managing an admin heavy workload.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to work on established FMCG brands.
• A collaborative and supportive creative team.
• A studio culture built on craft, creativity and long-term client relationships.
• Competitive salary based on experience.

Our Team & our values:

We’re a vibrant, creative crew who care as much about our culture as the work we make. Our values aren’t just posters on the wall, they were crafted by our team and guide everything we do:

• Be Innovative – Think Ahead.
• Be collaborative – Succeed together.
• Be Supportive – Lift each other up.
• Be All In – Show up with purpose.

We’re always looking for talented, passionate people to join our growing squad in our Purley studio. If you’re ready to collaborate, create, and be part of something truly awesome, this is your playground.