At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a design team to create innovative, commercially viable products.
- Company: A creative company specialising in bespoke gifting and product solutions with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, staff discounts, and a newly refurbished office environment.
- Other info: This is a 1-year fixed term role covering maternity leave.
- Why this job: Shape the creative direction while working on exciting projects for well-known brands.
- Qualifications: Proven design leadership experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Design Team Manager
South Hams | On-Site
Competitive, based on experience
1-Year Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)
About the Company
This is a company that blends creativity with commercial success, specializing in bespoke gifting and product solutions. With a reputation for high-quality, innovative design, the business is looking for a creative leader to guide its talented design team. This is an exciting time for the company who have just been through a rebrand and are working with various new clients on exciting projects, all from a newly refurbished office in the heart of Totnes, Devon. If you enjoy leading projects from concept to execution, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and have a keen eye for emerging trends, this could be the perfect role for you.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll be responsible for overseeing the entire design process, ensuring that every product aligns with both customer expectations and the company’s creative vision. You’ll manage multiple projects, mentor a team of designers, and collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders to bring ideas to life.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading, mentoring, and inspiring a team of designers to produce high-quality, commercially viable designs.
- Overseeing multiple design projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
- Working closely with customers and the sales team to develop innovative product concepts.
- Managing the design process from concept through to final product, balancing creativity with functionality.
- Conducting market research to identify trends, competitor activity, and customer preferences.
- Collaborating with suppliers, production teams, and key stakeholders to ensure seamless execution.
- Implementing quality control measures and maintaining high design standards.
- Keeping up to date with design technologies and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
- Holding regular team meetings to foster a creative and results-driven environment.
- Reporting directly to the Managing Director and contributing to strategic planning.
What We’re Looking For
If you’re a design leader with a strong creative vision and the ability to bring commercially successful products to market, then read on! We’re looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys mentoring others while maintaining high creative standards.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a design leadership role, ideally within product, packaging, or gifting.
- A passion for packaging and gifting design that ranges from creating initial concepts to having laser-focused attention on the final inner and outer fittings
- The ability to find innovative ways to engineer products into sustainable and cost-effective packaging solutions
- Strong creative direction with the ability to turn ideas into commercially viable designs.
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple and last-minute deadlines
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite especially Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign
- Experience creating, editing and overlaying artwork on cutter guides
- A keen understanding of market trends and emerging design innovations.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively across departments.
- Competent presenting ideas to clients and offering creative solutions to queries
- Experience working with suppliers and production teams is highly desirable.
- Experience using a Digital Die Cutter machine to work up box samples to present to clients would be beneficial, but not essential
- Willingness to update project software ensuring all relevant actions are accounted for auditing purposes
- Knowledge of Microsoft software including Excel and Word
Why You’ll Love This Role
- A chance to lead and shape the creative direction of a growing design team
- A fast-paced, working with some household names and where no two days are the same
- The opportunity to work on exciting, bespoke product designs
- A supportive, friendly team that values a positive outlook, fresh ideas and innovation
- Work in a newly refurbished office in the heart of Totnes
- Flexible working hours from 8:00 to 6:00 (7.5-hour day)
- Staff discounts from the onsite café, bakery, pottery studio and hair salon
- 5-minute walk from Totnes station
Graphic Design Manager in Totnes employer: Tribus People Recruitment
This company is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration in the heart of Totnes, Devon. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented design team while working on exciting bespoke projects for well-known clients. Enjoy flexible working hours, staff discounts, and the chance to shape the future of innovative product design in a newly refurbished office environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graphic Design Manager in Totnes
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the company's recent rebrand and their current projects. Understanding their creative vision and how they align with market trends will help you demonstrate your fit for the role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership style by preparing examples of how you've successfully mentored design teams in the past. Be ready to discuss specific projects where your guidance led to innovative outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest trends in packaging and gifting design, as well as sustainable practices. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics will set you apart as a candidate who is not only creative but also commercially savvy.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your project management skills in detail. Think of examples where you've successfully managed multiple deadlines and collaborated with various stakeholders to deliver high-quality designs on time.
We think you need these skills to ace Graphic Design Manager in Totnes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in design leadership, particularly in product, packaging, or gifting. Emphasise your project management skills and proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for design and your ability to lead a team. Mention specific projects where you've successfully managed the design process from concept to execution.
Showcase Your Portfolio:Include a portfolio that demonstrates your creative direction and commercially viable designs. Highlight examples of innovative packaging solutions and any experience with sustainable practices.
Research the Company:Familiarise yourself with the company's recent rebrand and their approach to bespoke gifting. Understanding their creative vision will help you align your application with their goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tribus People Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Graphic Design Manager, you'll be expected to lead and inspire your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed design projects and mentored team members in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a creative environment and drive results.
✨Demonstrate Your Design Process
Be ready to discuss your design process from concept to execution. Share specific projects where you balanced creativity with functionality, and explain how you ensured that designs met customer expectations while aligning with the company's vision.
✨Stay Updated on Trends
The company values a keen understanding of market trends and emerging design innovations. Research current trends in packaging and gifting design, and be prepared to discuss how you can incorporate these into your work and the team's projects.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of examples where you've worked closely with clients, sales teams, or production teams. Be ready to explain how you communicate ideas effectively and resolve any challenges that arise during the design process.
